How disruptive will September 18 strikes be in France?
Major disruption is expected to travel on planes, trains, and local networks
Major strike action is likely on September 10 as well as September 18, with the former supported by the CGT union
Jean-Marc RICHARD / Shutterstock
A nationwide strike on September 18, backed by France鈥檚 eight major unions, is expected to intensify the country鈥檚 ongoing political turmoil.
In a month already full of strikes and social unrest, the one-day strike is likely to see hundreds of thousands of workers across the public and private sector walk out.
The action has been called in opposition to plans for the 2026 budget by Prime Minister Fran莽ois Bayrou, and is set to go ahead even if he is toppled, as expected, by a vote of confidence on September 8.
The decision was confirmed following a meeting between the unions last Friday (August 29), where they outlined their plans for the coming months.
Not all of the eight unions will back the citizen-led action a week earlier on September 10 鈥� although the more radical CGT and Solidaires unions have said they support it 鈥� but they will engage in a unified protest the following week.
鈥淪eptember 10th is a citizens' initiative, and so obviously the CGT has decided to play its part by organising strikes in companies,鈥� said leader of the CGT Sophie Binet.
Similar to the Solidaires union, the CGT is supporting the movement by helping workers who wish to walk out on September 10. The union will act as a vessel for workers through filing strike motions.
The CGT sees September 10 as the first part of a wider social movement to 鈥渄enounce austerity,鈥� said Ms Binet, which will be followed by the union-led action on September 18.
Transport, schools, public services to be hit hard
The action on Thursday September 18 is the first major coordinated walkout by the unions since the 2023 pension protests, which were themselves a rare show of unity between the major groups.
Unions generally disagree on strike action, citing different end-goals, methods, level of disruption, with the largest union the CFDT generally being seen as more moderate than the CGT and FO (Force Ouvri猫re).
The latter union has filed a three-month strike notice beginning from September 1 for all workers.
The fact the unions all plan to come together for at least September 18 is being seen as a sign of the level of discontent in France over the controversial budget.
Possible united strike action is possible later in autumn depending on the success of the action on September 10 and 18 and the political situation.
Members belonging to or supported by each of France鈥檚 eight major unions 鈥� union membership rate in France is low but many workers are covered by union-backed collective bargaining agreements 鈥� are encouraged to join the action.
Disruption is expected in the travel sector, with many of the unions supporting train, metro, tram, and bus drivers across France鈥檚 public transportation network.
Travel in the capital region is expected to be particularly disrupted, both on the Paris Metro and surrounding local rail network.
Several rail unions have also called on members to strike as part of the September 10 movement.
Prior to the announcement, France鈥檚 leading air traffic control union SNCTA confirmed it had called for action on September 18-19, which is likely to cause disruption at airports.
This will be further heightened if the CGT-aligned union 鈥� the third-largest in the sector 鈥� calls on its members to walk out as part of the September 18 action.
Airport staff and air traffic controllers have been urged to strike on September 10, with Sud A茅rien and the CGT-wing of Air France officially calling for walkouts on this day.
Likewise, emergency pharmacists already announced their own strike for September 18, which could see the majority of establishments closed that day.
Elsewhere, public services are likely to be heavily impacted on the day.
Strike notices covering the month of September are already in place for civil servants, teachers, hospital staff, and state administration staff.
Prolonged action such as this does not usually see members strike for the entire month, but gives them the opportunity to walk out on any of the days covered by the motion (provided they fulfil advance-notice obligations, and in certain sectors minimum service requirements).
Unions are therefore likely to urge as many members as possible to walk out at least on September 18 to maximise disruption.
