SNCF Announces Service Disruptions for National Strike on Thursday

Travelers in France should prepare for rail service disruptions this Thursday, November 5, 2026, as major labor unions have called for a national day of industrial action. The strike, which involves several railway unions including the CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail, and CFDT-Cheminots, is part of a broader interprofessional movement addressing concerns over purchasing power, employment, and working conditions.

The SNCF has officially confirmed that traffic will be affected across its network. According to the operator, TGV services are expected to be only slightly disrupted, while Intercités, regional TER trains, and commuter services in the Île-de-France region, including the RER network, are likely to face more significant challenges. The company has stated that specific, line-by-line traffic forecasts will be made available to the public on Wednesday, November 4.

The mobilization follows ongoing tensions regarding salary negotiations. The UNSA-Ferroviaire union, which serves as the second-largest representative body within the SNCF, has highlighted that the previous annual salary agreement, which projected lower inflation rates, has not kept pace with recent economic developments. With inflation reaching 3.4 percent over the past year as of October, the union is advocating for a 2.6 percent general salary increase with retroactive application to July 1.

Beyond the railway sector, the national strike is expected to have a wider impact on public services and private industries. Calls for mobilization have been issued across various sectors, including education, banking, and healthcare, as employees seek government and corporate responses to the rising cost of living. In several cities, these demonstrations may also cause secondary disruptions to local public transportation systems, such as buses, subways, and tramways.

The strike action is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. and is set to conclude on Friday, November 6, at 8:00 a.m. Under French law, the SNCF is required to provide passengers with updated travel information at least 24 hours before the start of the strike. Travelers are encouraged to check the official SNCF Connect website or mobile application for real-time traffic updates and to confirm the status of their specific routes.

As the situation develops, the SNCF continues to manage the logistics of the strike by analyzing individual declarations from staff members, which are required 48 hours in advance. This process allows the operator to build an adapted transport plan to minimize the impact on passengers. While the company works to maintain service, commuters and long-distance travelers are advised to plan for potential delays and to monitor official channels for the most accurate information as the day of the strike approaches.