Re: Next General Strike
 

Does this strike include the bus system and metro or just the airport and connections?

Re: Next General Strike
 

Everything public...
(sorry, that may not be clear - yes, the bus and métro system will be disrupted, also the SNCF, no doubt Air France and air controllers, Post Offices... As you're visitors, the other Public Sectors affected won't concern you.)

Re: Next General Strike
 

Everything public - well ok thanks for the info. We are arriving by BA on Oct 8 in the evening, so think I may just make private arrangements to get to the city.

Oh one more stupid question - this strike does it affect the museums, art galleries etc as well......its a transportation only strike right?

Re: Next General Strike
 

Hi,
I forgot that there are many public museums in Paris which will probably be closed. There will be SOME bus and métro traffic on the 12th, but be prepared for traffic jams and the inevitable marches (avoid Bastille, République, Nation in particular...) in the streets.
You'll have no problems due to industrial action for the 8th (unless of course the Syndicats bring the scheduled strike forward at their next meeting!:eek:)

Re: Next General Strike
 

Thanks so much. Youve been incredibly helpful. Living in a province that is extremely unionized I am very familiar with strikes sometimes taking on a life of their own......;)

We are making alternative plans just in case. Going to rent a car and head into the country and bypass paris if things are bad.

Re: Next General Strike
 

The main Syndicats have announced that the 12th October strike is "reconductible", i.e. will continue until further notice, at least in the public transport sector - SNCF and RATP (presumably the bus/métro networks in all towns will also be affected, not just Paris).
Great for people like me who booked TGV tickets weeks ago and might have to cancel the trip...:frown:

Re: Next General Strike
 

So is the next strike on the 12th? I heard that they are planning one for the 16th? is this in addition to the 12th? Does anyone know where I can find out all the dates of upcoming strikes....its becoming impossible to arrange travel ...thanks :)

Re: Next General Strike
 

Hi
Join the clan concerning travel arrangements! As mentioned, I booked a trip to Paris by TGV weeks ago and I'm afraid I might have to cancel it if the SNCF service is still disrupted.
Apart from the real strike called for the 12th (and the call for the SNCF and RATP employees to continue their strike after that date), there are "simply" marches, demonstrations, etc... scheduled on Saturday the 12th.
(P.S. I've since discovered that the English term for "grève reconductible" is open-ended!)
P.P.S. Google "grèves" for up-to-date info, but choose one of the newspapers rather than the CGT website!

Re: Next General Strike
 

Although the strikes are tomorrow there have been no flights out of Bergerac today,or, I believe Limoges. There are no vacant seats on Ryanair until Friday to transfer to.
The scenes at Bergerac airport today were unsettling with crying babies and upset travelers with no transport. Ryanair staff went home leaving airport staff to try and placate aggrieved passengers.
Of course it wasn't Ryanairs fault but there was little sympathy for anyone.
Just be thankful you wern't traveling

Re: Next General Strike
 

I've heard 30% of flights from CDG are cancelled. In Paris, most places have 3 buses or trains running out of every 4, although just speaking to the Mrs. it's taken a long time to get into work this morning, not to mention being crushed, which isn't so good when you're pregnant.
Looking at the news this morning some of the RER and major stations like Gare de Nord seem to be moving slowly.

Re: Next General Strike
 

Friends going home couldn't leave Perpignan on Sunday because of the bad weather conditions, and they are still stuck there because of today's strike. Luckily they've got a flight tomorrow, but their extended holiday in a hotel is catastrophic, financially and workwise... :(

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Hi, this may be a bit off topic but when we move to France we will send our children (both primary age) to state school. With all these strikes I wondered how it will affect them settling in and learning the language. Are there any parents out there in this situation? Is it having an negative effect or are they getting more time to socialise with new French friends.
Also is there any requirement for extra homework to be set so children don't fall behind?

thanks

Re: Next General Strike
 

Hi, good point!
With all the strikes in the Education Sector (and they've been a regular feature since even the Socialist Mitterand years which I lived through), the syllabus of the year is NEVER completed and the children go up to the following year with gaps in general knowledge, culture, etc... The teachers concentrate on getting their French Grammar and Maths levels up to scratch, and the rest if there's time....
On strike days, there's usually some one who supervises the playground for Primary children whose parents work, in which case they can socialise, but only on a small scale as a lot of children are kept at home. I used to work from home and could keep mine occupied at home rather than make them spend a day running around the playground, with no organised games, just some one present in case of accidents...
And no, there's no extra homework, as all the pupils are in the same boat and don't fall behind anyone (except private school children and those in the rest of Europe!). It's up to the parents to occupy them with "useful" things on strike days...
(Collèges and Lycées are more complicated on strike days, as some teachers strike, others don't, and the pupils might have to hang around for hours between two classes, but that's a different problem.)
I spent 17 frustrated years (from Maternelle to Lycée for my two daughters) having to accept this situation, and remember them every time there's yet another strike...:(
Sorry to be such a cynic, but I'm being realistic!:)

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It can be quite unnerving for younger collegians with lycéens on site too. My daughter is at a joint college lycée; today the lycéens had barricaded the doors, except for one guarded by 5 policemen! They were making a lot of noise and regularly letting off firecrackers and airhorns.... all of which was pretty scary for the younger kids :(

Luckily my son's primary rarely if ever strikes!

Re: Next General Strike
 

The strike is still grinding on in the Dordogne. Last night they were again bussing passengers to Limoges from Bergerac as the control tower was still on strike. Strangely,when the Ryanair flight arrived to take them back to UK it was an Airfrance aircraft. Maybe deals are being done behind closed doors?

This morning (Thurs 21st) there are still no trains to Bordeaux from Sarlat or Perigueux although there are a couple of busses during the day at odd times .
The Station booking office could not confirm any trains Bordeaux-Paris for tomorrow.
The local high school kids are causing a bit of a rumpus at a major roundabout. They must be having outdoor lessons in civil disobedience.