PARIS – Several French trade unions representing workers in the transport sector have announced strikes and other industrial action for October and November. Employees in road transport and at French ports are among those being called upon to take action. It is not yet clear how the various protests and strikes will affect freight transport in France.
The first action is due to start on Sunday, 11 October at 22:00. French trade union FO Transports has called on workers in the road freight transport sector to mobilise from that time.
The union’s demands include issues related to wages and working conditions in the French road transport sector.
CFTC action on 14 October
CFTC Transports et Logistique has also announced action. The union is calling on workers to take part in a demonstration in Paris on Wednesday, 14 October.
The action focuses, among other things, on working conditions and the purchasing power of employees in the transport sector.
CFDT calls for nationwide mobilisation
A nationwide mobilisation by Union Fédérale Route FGTE-CFDT is scheduled for Friday, 16 October.
The union is calling on employees covered by the French collective agreement for road transport to mobilise on that day.
Among the issues raised by CFDT are stagnant wages, deteriorating working conditions, staff shortages and the rising cost of living.
24-hour strike at French ports
Industrial action has also been announced at French ports. The Fédération Nationale des Ports et Docks CGT has issued a strike notice for a nationwide 24-hour strike on Friday, 30 October.
The action forms part of an international mobilisation involving dockworkers and other employees in the port sector.
CGT announces week of action in November
The Fédération CGT des Transports has also announced a nationwide week of action from Monday, 16 November until Friday, 20 November.
During this period, the union is calling for protests, mobilisation and strikes across different parts of the transport sector. This does not necessarily mean five consecutive days of strikes. Actions are expected to be organised at company and sector level, with Friday, 20 November intended to be the main day of nationwide mobilisation.
CGT’s demands include higher wages, increased employment, improved working conditions, reduced working hours, recognition of physically demanding work and opportunities for earlier retirement.
Impact on freight transport still uncertain
It is currently unclear what impact the announced industrial action will have on road transport, logistics and freight movements to and from France.
The various actions are spread across October and November and differ in both scale and format. Transport companies operating in France could therefore face disruptions on several different dates over the coming weeks.
