A number of trains between Lorraine and Luxembourg, and between Paris and Luxembourg, were cancelled on Thursday. That forced many passengers to cram into the--overcrowded--trains that were running.
French public sector unions organised strikes and rallies on 22 March to protest government plans to reform public services, including the benefits of civil servants.
But industrial action at France’s national railway is set to continue beyond this week.
Staff at SNCF plan a series of rolling strikes, which will be carried out on two out of every five days in April, May and June.
This could potentially effect TGV high-speed train service between Luxembourg and Paris, Luxembourg and the south of France, as well as TER commuter lines.
Library picture: Delayed train passengers wait at Metz’s main railway station, 11 July 2017. Staff photo
However, the exact impact won’t be known until a couple days before each strike date, the AFP news agency said. The train operator has already said it would not sell tickets for the days in April that industrial action is planned.
Strikes are planned for the following dates.
- April: 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, 19, 23, 24, 28 and 29
- May (same days as in April): 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, 19, 23, 24, 28 and 29
- June: 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 27 and 28
