A heated topic both on the rails and in the Chamber. On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the deputies approved a proposed law in committee that would restrict the right to strike in public transportation during certain strategic periods of the year. This development was reported notably by Ouest-France, which is closely following this contentious issue.
The proposal, rooted in centrist ideals, is not new. As the media has recalled, it was already approved by the Senate in April 2024 and was later scheduled for discussion in the National Assembly at the initiative of the Republicans. Its core principle: granting the government a quota of thirty days per year during which the right to strike would be limited in public transportation services, primarily railways, explicitly excluding air travel.
Specifically, during these designated days, essential transport staff would be limited to a maximum of six hours of strike action per day and no more than seven consecutive days. The specific timeframes would be determined annually through negotiations involving unions, industry groups, organizing authorities, and user representatives. If consensus cannot be reached, a decree issued by the Council of State would establish the details, according to Ouest-France.
The legislation strictly defines these restrictions: bank holidays, school vacations, elections, national exams and competitions, as well as events with regional, national, or international significance. It also proposes extending the notice period for declaring strikes from 48 to 72 hours and cracking down on "dormant notices."
While the right and the RN defend the bill in the name of maintaining public service continuity and freedom of movement, the left views it, according to reports from TF1 Info, as an unprecedented encroachment on a constitutional right. The debate is expected to be heated when it is discussed in a public session on January 22.
It's safe to say that the topic has still far to go before reaching its conclusion...
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