September 18th Strike: Schools, Transport… What Should we Expect for Thursday?

Social movement: After the day of 10th September of the citizen initiative, this Thursday 18th is the day of action of the unions which calls for a strike. Schools, transport, energy… What mobilizations and disruptions can we expect?

The essential

After the day of September 10th which mobilized around 200,000 French people in the streets according to the authorities, it is time for a “day of action and strike” called by the inter-union for this Thursday 18th September.
In transport, 3 TER out of 5 and 9 TGV out of 10 will run, although with significant disruptions on the Intercités lines. RATP specifies that most metros will only run during peak hours.
But pharmacists, VTC drivers and energy workers are also calling for mobilization… we take stock of what we can expect.

After a somewhat chaotic first day of social protest on the 10th September, make way for a better known one “day of action and strike” called by the inter-union for this Thursday 18th September. The aim is in particular to put pressure on the future government Lecornu and its possible savings measures in the budget 2026.

From National Education to transport, including workers in the pharmaceutical and energy sectors… we take stock of the disruptions that can be expected.

Most TGV and TER trains will run, major disruptions on the Ile-de-France network

To go to work, join a strike picket, or simply travel, you will undoubtedly have to get up early this Thursday, or prefer individual and personal means of transport, VTCs also being called upon to “disconnect” that day- there and to demonstrate in front of the Ministry of Labor by their union FO-INV, indicates its general secretary Figaro.

After mentioning a “very likely dark day” in transport this Monday, the resigning minister Philippe Tabarot projects a more optimistic picture this Tuesday. Thus, 3 TER out of 5 and 9 TGV out of 10 will run, although with significant disruptions on the Intercités lines on Thursday, the day of the national strike. RATP specifies that most metros will only run during peak hours.

At SNCF as at RATP, most representative unions called for a cessation of work to “stop competitive bidding processes”, “guarantee the future and development of public freight” and “salary increases”, according to a press release from the railway workers’ inter-union.

In the air, the main air traffic controllers’ union (SNCTA) announced that it was postponing the strike until October, and one of the airline pilots’ unions (SNPL) did not call for mobilization, unlike FO and the CFDT, the majority at Air France, whose flights should be disrupted.

A third of strikers in schools, suspense in middle and high schools

In National Education, the start of the school year follows one another and the demands seem to remain the same: Schools, middle schools and high schools are asphyxiated by lack of resources. Classes are overcrowded, school lives are under pressure, students do not have the AESH that they should have”, denounces the inter-union press release who speaks of a “structural crisis in which public schools are bogged down”.

Although no estimate has yet been circulated regarding middle and high schools, the main primary school teachers’ union estimates, according to its figures, that around a third of school teachers will be on strike this Thursday 18th September. “Our first figures show a third of strikers for public school primary school teachers”, explained Aurélie Gagnier, co-general secretary and spokesperson for FSU-Snuipp, the leading primary school union.

Pharmacies closed and power cuts targeted

The five main pharmacist organizations are calling for a national closure of pharmacies this Thursday. And the mobilization promises to be well attended with “nearly 98% of pharmacies surveyed recently who say they are closing their pharmacies”, indicates the Uspo union on its website.

France Info specifies that pharmacists had until September 11th to declare their strike day to their ARS. This is so that the authorities can make requisitions to ensure a minimum service.

Mobilized since the 2nd September, the CGT energy continues to demand an increase in wages and a reduction in energy taxation and has renewed its strike until the 18th September, according to BFM TV. Targeted power cut actions could take place.