France: strike update: week of May 3

From the U.S Government website:

The U.S. Embassy in France informs U.S. citizens that several national unions across a variety of sectors have announced plans to continue strikes. Affected sectors include, but are not limited to the national rail network, air traffic control, the Paris public transportation system, truck transport, and oil refinery operations.

Travelers are advised to verify the status of their flights, trains, or other public transportation services prior to their travel. Travelers are advised that these strikes could result in delays or cancelations of trains, flights, and other transportation services.

The following strikes have been announced for the week of May 30:

 

Rail – The national unions which represents rail workers renewed their call for strikes limiting rail services along the TVG, RER and SNCF networks. An “unlimited strike” is scheduled to start at 9 am on Tuesday, May 31 for a period of at least 24 hours.

 

Paris-area Public Transportation – The union representing the Paris metro area transportation (RATP) has called for an “unlimited strike” starting on June 2 of all public transportation services, including the Paris metro, buses, and RER trains.

 

Air – Air traffic controllers have also called for strikes Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5 which could result in delays or cancellations of flights originating in France.

 

Travelers can also track updates on Twitter through services such as Aéroports de Paris (@ParisAeroport) or your local airport or air carrier, the Prefecture de Police for your area (@PrefPolice is the one for Paris), SNCF (@SNCF), and your metro or rail line. French news sources such asBFMTV, Le Parisien, and France24 are also likely to carry information about the strike’s impact.

 

If you need to cancel or exchange a TGV or Intercity train, visit the SNCF website here:

 

http://www.sncf.com/fr/echange-remboursement-tgv-intercites

 

For up-to-date information on SNCF plans (or to check your specific train), consult the SNCF website here:

 

http://www.sncf.com/fr/horaires-info-trafic#animation-1

 

RATP – Paris local transport system – for information on metros, buses, and RER lines:

 

http://www.ratp.fr/informer/trafic/trafic.php

 

Transilien – for Paris region transport:

 

http://www.transilien.com/info-trafic/temps-reel

 

U.S. citizens should be aware that these strikes, particularly the transport and oil refinery worker actions, have resulted in fuel shortages at some gas stations. Lines at gas stations may be long and some stations may not be able to supply gas until they are replenished.  U.S. citizens may wish to track availability of gasoline at the following sites:

 

http://www.linternaute.com/actualite/societe/1306008-penurie-d-essence-liste-des-stations-fermees-ou-sans-carburant-cartes-22052016/

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2016/05/20/stations-service-penurie-carburant-carte-essence_n_10064760.html

 

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19775