Railway Workers Strike in Marseille: Pack Your Patience!
By Lola Fourt
Published on Nov 20
A railway workers’ strike is set to disrupt train traffic on Thursday, November 21, with significant disturbances expected at the bustling Saint-Charles station in Marseille. This planned action arises as unions express their discontent over recent reform proposals.
An “ultimatum” strike
Meanwhile, TGV services are anticipated to remain largely functional, with trains such as the TGV Inoui and Ouigo maintaining their schedules between Paris and Marseille. However, train users should prepare for some disruptions that will begin the evening prior, on Wednesday, November 20, and continue into Thursday.
As the Christmas holidays draw near, this strike is being characterized by railway unions as an “ultimatum,” signaling a stern warning to SNCF management and government officials regarding the potential negative impacts of proposed reforms on the railway sector.
TERs more impacted
Contrastingly, regional TER train services will face a notable decrease in frequency this Thursday. While nationwide, around seven out of ten TER trains are expected to operate, the region of Provence will experience a greater rate of cancellations and disruptions.
For instance, on the Côte Bleue line connecting Marseille to Miramas, only one in three scheduled trains will be in operation. Similarly, two out of three trains will run on the routes linking Marseille to Avignon via the Etang de Berre, as well as from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence and Marseille to Toulon.
Railway unions are particularly vocal in their protests against the proposed dismantling of Fret SNCF, the rail freight transport arm, which threatens to result in the loss of approximately 500 jobs across the sector.
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**Interview on the Upcoming Railway Workers Strike in Marseille**
**Host:** Welcome to our special segment on the railway workers’ strike taking place tomorrow in Marseille. To discuss the implications of this event, we’re joined by transportation expert, Dr. Claire Monet. Thank you for being here, Dr. Monet.
**Dr. Claire Monet:** Thank you for having me!
**Host:** First, can you explain the reasons behind this strike?
**Dr. Claire Monet:** Absolutely. The strike is primarily driven by significant concerns among railway workers regarding the privatization of SNCF services, which includes key operations like the TER and Intercités trains. Unions argue that this could jeopardize jobs and service quality, while they also protest against the privatization strategies being pushed through as part of the EU’s competitive opening in the rail sector [[1](https://travelfrancebucketlist.com/train-strikes-in-france-info-tips/)].
**Host:** That sounds quite serious. What impact do you anticipate this strike will have on travelers?
**Dr. Claire Monet:** Travelers can expect significant disruptions. With a one-day strike declared, many train services will likely be canceled or severely limited. This can lead to long wait times and increased crowding on alternative modes of transport. The unions have called this strike as a unified action to amplify their message, so the impact will be felt across various lines[[1](https://travelfrancebucketlist.com/train-strikes-in-france-info-tips/)].
**Host:** What advice would you give to passengers who are planning to travel on November 21?
**Dr. Claire Monet:** My advice would be to stay informed. Check the SNCF website or their social media channels for real-time updates on service availability. If possible, consider adjusting travel plans or using different modes of transport. It’s always prudent to allow for extra travel time and have a backup plan in place [[1](https://travelfrancebucketlist.com/train-strikes-in-france-info-tips/)].
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Monet, for sharing your insights on this timely issue. Hopefully, travelers will be able to navigate the disruptions effectively.
**Dr. Claire Monet:** Thank you for having me. I hope everyone has a safe journey, regardless of the circumstances.
**Host:** And there you have it—everything you need to know about the railway workers’ strike in Marseille. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day!