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France Now..strikes, etc
- Thread starter michele29
- Start date
I've been wondering about this myself: one reported problem is the piles of trash in Paris. I don't know that much about how bad it really is, but there's this map of which arrondissements are affected: those in orange have trash collected by the city, and they're largely on strike, while those in black have it collected privately, so it isn't so bad.
Otherwise it seems that transportation isn't much affected, but try to keep up with the news about that and where demonstrations are happening.
Otherwise it seems that transportation isn't much affected, but try to keep up with the news about that and where demonstrations are happening.
From what I read, the crucial day is this coming Monday, or at least this coming week, when a no-confidence vote is planned, and there is a threat of defectors in Macron's slim majority. If the vote passes, the measures that Macron is trying to pass will not go through, and the strikes will probably end for the meantime. But if it doesn't pass, then it seems that disruptions will continue and get even worse. There is a lot of support for them in the public (about two-thirds, from what I have read).
The disruptions and strikes have already affected transportation (flights and public transport), electricity supply, garbage-collecting and gas stations. Most strikes are announced beforehand, but of course there are some that are started with very little or no notice.
For tourists, all this will probably mean that they will have to double-check whatever they do that includes transportation, or facilities that might be closed in support of the protests, in addition to seeing tons of uncollected garbage. Not the best of times for them. For the French, OTOH, it seems to be a defining point in recent history.
The disruptions and strikes have already affected transportation (flights and public transport), electricity supply, garbage-collecting and gas stations. Most strikes are announced beforehand, but of course there are some that are started with very little or no notice.
For tourists, all this will probably mean that they will have to double-check whatever they do that includes transportation, or facilities that might be closed in support of the protests, in addition to seeing tons of uncollected garbage. Not the best of times for them. For the French, OTOH, it seems to be a defining point in recent history.
For an analysis of what could happen politically, there's this:
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/...clear-option-to-pass-unpopular-pension-reform
There have been some fiery scenes at protests, but from what I understand most of the time you can get around without disruptions.
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/...clear-option-to-pass-unpopular-pension-reform
There have been some fiery scenes at protests, but from what I understand most of the time you can get around without disruptions.
Bruce Pollock
10+ Posts
I'm watching the situation very carefully for the same reason. We leave for France on April 4. My main concern is CDG airport impacts (for arrival) and train disruption. I think the next 10 days will be revealing. Here is a website that lists every planned strike action as soon as something is confirmed, but the problem may be uncontrolled strike action:
www.cestlagreve.fr
Liste des grèves en cours et à venir en France - C'est la grève
Retrouvez les préavis de grèves en France, avec les dates et les perturbations.
Other resources for seeing what's happening day to day are listed in this article:
fortune.com
Travelers to Paris should be prepared for trash piles and protests
A plan to raise France's retirement age has prompted garbage collectors to walk off the job and large protests.
Dana
100+ Posts
Well, I must say Macron's interview (it was on Wednesday afternoon) went down like a ton of bricks. He got out the charts and proved it was necessary and said that he didn't mind being unpopular for doing something that had to be done, but it's not what the nation wanted to hear. Will they keep burning tires and blockading the refineries and not picking up the rubbish even when we get into spring break and Easter? Hard to imagine but if you are heading to France in the near future, be aware.
Appreciate the observations..I have, like many posters, been paying close attention to the news. What I was/ am looking for in an on- the-ground report from a tourist. On that note, a friend of mine left Tuesday for Paris. She promised to email her reactions. When I hear, I will post.
fingers crossed ….my trip isn’t until mid-April…I cancelled this trip twice because of Covid. Third time is a charm?!
fingers crossed ….my trip isn’t until mid-April…I cancelled this trip twice because of Covid. Third time is a charm?!
Bruce Pollock
10+ Posts
I think the challenge we all have is that what we observe in real time is not going to predict accurately what might happen in a week or 10 days.
We have also been watching what is happening. We arrive in mid April. We are not going to Paris at all and not booking train tickets. It will affect us if something causes our flight in to be changed and if it disrupts fuel supplies too much as we will be driving. We fly into Lyon and are taking two nights to drive across to our first gite in the Dordogne.
It is interesting how countries differ. Here in Australia you are not eligible for the age pension until 67 and then it is means tested and not everyone gets it. You can retire whenever you want but have to be able to support yourself until you are 67 and can get the pension if eligible.
It is interesting how countries differ. Here in Australia you are not eligible for the age pension until 67 and then it is means tested and not everyone gets it. You can retire whenever you want but have to be able to support yourself until you are 67 and can get the pension if eligible.