Rail services across France and Italy will face disruption this week following nationwide strikes in both countries.
Railway workers' unions in France have called for a nationwide strike on Wednesday 10 June, with major disruption expected across French rail operator SNCF’s network. The labour action is due to commence at 7:00pm on Tuesday 9 June and will last until 6:00am on Thursday 11 June.
The country’s four major rail unions – CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots – are calling for better pay and working conditions following an increase in workplace accidents, employee burnout and rising numbers of employee suicides.
SNCF has advised travellers to anticipate disruptions on TGV INOUI services both within France and throughout Europe, as well as on OUIGO and TGV Lyria routes, with two out of three trains operating.
Intercités lines will also experience interruptions, running at roughly half their usual frequency, while regional services will be “severely” affected.
Affected travellers will be contacted and offered the choice of a full refund or free ticket exchange, according to SNCF.
In Italy, workers from state-owned rail companies – Trenitalia, Trenord, and Trenitalia Tper (all part of the FS Group) – are set to strike for 23 hours beginning at 3:00am on Thursday, 11 June. The labour action will continue until 2:00am on Friday.
Service delays and cancellations are expected throughout Thursday and possibly into Friday. However, as per Italian law, services are guaranteed during peak times: between 6:00am and 9:00am, and from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Affected travellers can request a refund or reschedule their trip under the same booking conditions, according to Trenitalia.