The strike on September 18, 2025 looks set to be particularly intense in the Paris region, particularly in the 1st arrondissement of Paris and in the Île-de-France region. Philippe Tabarot, resigning Minister of Transport, fears "a black day" and believes that "the mobilization on the 18th will be much stronger than the mobilization on the 10th". Unlike the September 10th movement, which saw only 5% of strikers at the RATP and less than 15% at the SNCF, this new day of mobilization could paralyze the Paris region for a long time to come.
The four main RATP unions - CGT, FO, Unsa Mobilité and CFE-CGC - have issued a strike notice and are calling for "a massive day of strikes and demonstrations" on September 18. This joint mobilization, which according to the organizations represents 90% of the company's employees, "categorically denounces the 2026 budget project" put forward by the François Bayrou government. The unions believe that this budget "directly threatens our working and living conditions" and "is built on a logic of brutal austerity".
On the rail side, three major unions are also mobilizing. CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire and CFDT-Cheminots have called a strike for September 18, representing around 70% of the vote in the last professional elections. These organizations are calling on "all railway workers to mobilize massively through strikes and to take part in demonstrations". Disruptions will affect the main lines, the Transilien network and the RER trains managed by SNCF.
The unions are denouncing plans to cut public services, abolish public holidays, reduce medical expenses and freeze social benefits. This cross-industry mobilization is protesting against the François Bayrou government's 43.8 billion in savings, and calling for fiscal and social justice, as well as investment in the ecological transition.
In the case of transport staff, the unions are particularly critical of measures that directly affect their remuneration. At Air France, staff are particularly opposed to the abolition of public holidays, which are often worked in the airline industry and are synonymous with higher pay.
On September 16, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned: " It's going to be a difficult day for public transport users ".
RATP has announced"disrupted" traffic on lines 7, 9, 10 and 13, and"very disrupted" traffic on lines 2, 3, 3bis, 5, 6, 7bis, 8, 11 and 12. On all these Paris metro lines, traffic will run"only during rush hour". On the other hand, traffic will be normal on lines 1, 4 and 14 ; automatic lines. Major disruptions are also forecast on the RER and Transilien lines.
September 18 strike: detailed traffic forecasts for metro, RER and Transilien trains
September 18, 2025 is shaping up to be a particularly difficult day on public transport, due to a cross-industry industrial action. So what exactly can we expect on the metro, RER, Tramway and Transilien? Find out more about the disruptions announced by RATP and Transilien SNCF, with traffic forecasts and closed stations. [Read more]
Mobilization is not confined to land transport. Several unions in the air transport sector are maintaining their strike calls, which could lead to disruptions at airports in the Paris region. At Air France, Force Ouvrière and the CFDT have issued strike notices to "combat austerity".
This day of mobilization is part of a tense social context. Force Ouvrière has filed a general notice covering the period from September 1 to November 30, 2025, foreshadowing other possible social movements throughout the autumn. In addition to the transport sector, eight trade union confederations are calling for this cross-industry mobilization, which will also affect schools, hospitals and pharmacies.
Residents of the Paris region are invited to telecommute whenever possible, and to plan their journeys in advance by regularly consulting the information on the RATP and SNCF Connect websites. This strike follows on from the "Bloquons tout" movement of September 10, and reflects deep-seated dissatisfaction with the government's budgetary policies.
The SNCTA has decided to suspend the strike call scheduled for September 18 at airports. The notice has nevertheless been postponed to October 7, 8 and 9, 2025. Other unions are maintaining their mobilization for this national strike day. We take stock. [Read more]
September 18 strike: detailed traffic forecasts for metro, RER and Transilien trains
Airport strike on September 18: the main union postpones its notice. What can we expect?
