Union Strikes in May?
May 14th, 2008, 06:58 AM
#22
The French TV news is the best place for information if you are in France. I would say the radio as well, but if you don't speak French, it wouldn't help. On TV they show percentages of train service and things like that on the screen, sorted by Paris train station of SNCF region.
Tomorrow's strike is mostly schools. No transportation disruptions are expected -- that'll be next week!
Tomorrow's strike is mostly schools. No transportation disruptions are expected -- that'll be next week!
May 14th, 2008, 11:01 AM
#24
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Add me to the list of "concerned" travelers soon to be in Paris. We fly in on Monday, May 19th, and fly out on Sunday, May 25th.
Kerouac....we'd really appreciate any updates you can give us after you see what happens tomorrow! You are a godsend, being "on the inside", so you can keep us informed!
I'm bringing my cousin with me, who has never been out of the U.S. before. She has been so, so excited about the trip....I sure hope it can still be what she is anticipating!
Had planned a daytrip out to Versailles one day. Should we try to squeeze that in quickly, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, just to be safe....before the 22nd? We're staying just around the corner from the Louvre, so we can walk to most places, if transportation does stop....just so we don't miss our trip to Versailles!
According to reports from you folks that experienced the past strikes, it doesn't look like there would be too much danger of getting stranded when it's time to come home. Sounds like it's mostly just an inconvenience getting around while we're there....is that right?
Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us Fodorites that are headed there this week or next!
Kerouac....we'd really appreciate any updates you can give us after you see what happens tomorrow! You are a godsend, being "on the inside", so you can keep us informed!
I'm bringing my cousin with me, who has never been out of the U.S. before. She has been so, so excited about the trip....I sure hope it can still be what she is anticipating!
Had planned a daytrip out to Versailles one day. Should we try to squeeze that in quickly, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, just to be safe....before the 22nd? We're staying just around the corner from the Louvre, so we can walk to most places, if transportation does stop....just so we don't miss our trip to Versailles!
According to reports from you folks that experienced the past strikes, it doesn't look like there would be too much danger of getting stranded when it's time to come home. Sounds like it's mostly just an inconvenience getting around while we're there....is that right?
Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us Fodorites that are headed there this week or next!
May 14th, 2008, 11:48 AM
#27
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Just my luck. We have TGV tickets on the 22nd. Paris to Nice.
Obviously, I am pretty concerned. Our apartment rental ends on May 22 and our b&b stay in St-Paul-de-Vence starts that day.
Since these plans are already booked (tickets in hand, etc.) and fast approaching, does anyone have any suggestions? Should we book a rental car?
Yikes. I'm glad I got the heads up on this forum.
Obviously, I am pretty concerned. Our apartment rental ends on May 22 and our b&b stay in St-Paul-de-Vence starts that day.
Since these plans are already booked (tickets in hand, etc.) and fast approaching, does anyone have any suggestions? Should we book a rental car?
Yikes. I'm glad I got the heads up on this forum.
May 15th, 2008, 02:33 AM
#30
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Bummer!
Oh well, at least it's not a total surprise....we've had time to get used to the idea. Thanks again, kerouac, for the info.
In your experience, during a strike of this sort, are the taxis usually still running? And, will AirFrance being on strike affect British Airways service? As much as I'd love to spend more time in Paris, we really can't afford to....
Oh well, at least it's not a total surprise....we've had time to get used to the idea. Thanks again, kerouac, for the info.
In your experience, during a strike of this sort, are the taxis usually still running? And, will AirFrance being on strike affect British Airways service? As much as I'd love to spend more time in Paris, we really can't afford to....
May 15th, 2008, 02:42 AM
#31
Why on earth would taxis be on strike? They have nothing to do with the SNCF or Air France.
British Airways shouldn't be affected unless there is an ATC movement as well. "Predictions" on service in various areas probably won't be made until next Monday or Tuesday.
British Airways shouldn't be affected unless there is an ATC movement as well. "Predictions" on service in various areas probably won't be made until next Monday or Tuesday.
May 15th, 2008, 03:05 AM
#32
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By that time, we'll be there, so will just have to deal with it! We just really can't afford to get stranded, since we travel on a shoestring budget, so it does cause a bit of concern (paranoia).
Guess the taxi worry came from remembering the first time I was in Paris, 1994, when the taxis WERE on strike. I can still see them parked all around CDG, and not moving. I wasn't sure what other transportation groups might join the strike in sympathy and support, so that's what prompted my question.
As long as we scoot out to Versailles "pre-strike", can get taxis and/or walk to whatever we want to see in town, and as long as British Airways is still functioning and can get us home on the 25th, I'm guessing we should be fine. Will think positive, anyway!
Thanks again, kerouac!
Guess the taxi worry came from remembering the first time I was in Paris, 1994, when the taxis WERE on strike. I can still see them parked all around CDG, and not moving. I wasn't sure what other transportation groups might join the strike in sympathy and support, so that's what prompted my question.
As long as we scoot out to Versailles "pre-strike", can get taxis and/or walk to whatever we want to see in town, and as long as British Airways is still functioning and can get us home on the 25th, I'm guessing we should be fine. Will think positive, anyway!
Thanks again, kerouac!
May 15th, 2008, 05:25 AM
#33
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And of course we are flying out on Air France on the 25th (or at least we hope we're flying out!). We are going to be in Alsace when the strike begins, and we have TGV tickets to return to Paris the 24th. We'll have a car while in Alsace. I wonder if we should just try to see if we can drive the car back to Paris instead of counting on the train.
Wow, this starting to make me nervous!
Wow, this starting to make me nervous!
May 15th, 2008, 03:46 PM
#38
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dglaess - According to this, SNCF (includes TGV) trains are also affected...
PARIS (Thomson Financial) - French rail unions have joined their counterparts at Air France in calling for a strike on May 22 as part of a protest against government plans for pensions reform, Agence France-Presse reported, citing union sources.
After unions at Air France-KLM (nyse: AKH - news - people ) unit Air France filed strike notice on Wednesday, all eight unions at French rail operator SNCF and three out of the eight unions at Paris transport operator RATP said Thursday they have also called for a one-day stoppage on May 22.
At the end of April, five union federations had proposed a national day of action on May 22 to defend the current pensions system. They are notably opposed to the government's plan to extend to 41 from 40 the number of years' contributions required before workers can claim their pensions.
PARIS (Thomson Financial) - French rail unions have joined their counterparts at Air France in calling for a strike on May 22 as part of a protest against government plans for pensions reform, Agence France-Presse reported, citing union sources.
After unions at Air France-KLM (nyse: AKH - news - people ) unit Air France filed strike notice on Wednesday, all eight unions at French rail operator SNCF and three out of the eight unions at Paris transport operator RATP said Thursday they have also called for a one-day stoppage on May 22.
At the end of April, five union federations had proposed a national day of action on May 22 to defend the current pensions system. They are notably opposed to the government's plan to extend to 41 from 40 the number of years' contributions required before workers can claim their pensions.
May 15th, 2008, 04:22 PM
#39
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oh my.
I'm booked to fly Air France from LAX to CDG leaving LAX on May 21st and arriving CDG on May 22nd. I'm looking for further information online, but does anyone have any information about if the flight might leave on the 21st if the strike is the 22nd?
Many thanks for any information or past experiences.
I'm booked to fly Air France from LAX to CDG leaving LAX on May 21st and arriving CDG on May 22nd. I'm looking for further information online, but does anyone have any information about if the flight might leave on the 21st if the strike is the 22nd?
Many thanks for any information or past experiences.
