The SNCF strike planned for November 5, 2026 is taking shape. The CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots are calling on railway workers to walk off the job that Thursday. The nationwide action could affect TGVs, Intercités and TER services, from Paris stations as well as in the regions. For the RER and Transilien in Île-de-France, particulars are not yet specified.
The date isn’t a coincidence. It coincides with the nationwide strike and demonstrations scheduled for November 5, launched by the national trade union front over salaries and the 2027 budget.
The united call is notable, not something typically seen among railway workers. It brings together the CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail, and CFDT-Cheminots. The four employee-representative unions signed a joint statement, reported on October 16 by L'Écho touristique.
When the CGT and the CFDT, often at odds over approach, move in step, management tends to listen. This is also what distinguishes this meeting from the more targeted strikes seen in recent months on certain fronts.
At the heart of the dispute is purchasing power. Unions say that rising energy, food and fuel prices have gnawed away at workers’ pay. They are demanding across-the-board pay rises, revalued work bonuses, a higher housing allowance, and an extra month’s worth of bonuses.
They highlight the group’s solid performance, after revealing in July a record 1.2‑billion‑euro net profit for the first half, according to TourMaG. Adding to that are job cuts, staffing shortages and budget constraints on the network, which they say are impacting working conditions and railway safety.
The schedule has been carefully arranged. On November 6, SNCF will officially unveil its TGV M, the new high-speed train, on the Paris–Marseille line. The first passengers will be able to board starting November 9, according to TourMaG.
Going on strike on the eve of such a highly anticipated showcase is a bit like cutting the power just before the opening of a new performing arts venue. The message to the company's executives is clear, and hard to miss.
As of now, no list of affected lines has been published. TGVs, Intercités and TER services could all be affected, depending on how many workers join the strike, as noted by Voyages d'Affaires. The Paris stations, from Gare de Lyon (12th arrondissement) to Montparnasse (15th arrondissement), will therefore be among the ones to watch.
In Île-de-France, the impact on the RER and Transilien networks operated by SNCF remains unclear. Rail workers must announce their intention to strike at least 48 hours in advance. It is from these notices that SNCF builds its transport plan, typically published the night before.
On the RATP side, no specific notice for November 5 had been released by October 20. The metro and the RER A and B lines operated by RATP are therefore not affected at this stage.
In Paris, the day is set to surface two simultaneous challenges. On the one hand, fewer trains will depart from the six major stations (Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est in the 10th arrondissement, Gare de Lyon and Gare d’Austerlitz in the 12th and 13th, Gare Montparnasse in the 15th, and Saint-Lazare in the 8th). On the other, the interprofessional protest planned for November 5, whose route has yet to be announced.
During the latest large demonstrations, the Paris police prefecture closed several metro stations along the route. The areas around the stations were also among the zones off-limits for undeclared gatherings in the wake of the violence on October 17. If you have a train to catch this Thursday, give yourself extra time to reach the station.
For Île-de-France commuters who travel into the capital for work, everything will depend on the RER and Transilien service plan announced the day before. The Metro, operated by RATP, is expected to run normally at this stage, making it the safest fallback for intra-city journeys.
One development could still change everything. On Tuesday, November 3, a wage talks meeting is due to take place between the unions and management, chaired by Jean Castex. The railway workers are planning a rally outside SNCF’s headquarters in Saint-Denis (93) on the same day.
If announcements are made on that day, the call could be revised. As of October 20, however, no agreement had yet been reached to lift the strike.
The first move is to check your itinerary the day before, via SNCF Connect for long‑distance services, Transilien for the Île-de-France regional trains, or through Île-de-France Mobilités. If your train is cancelled, you can exchange your ticket or receive a refund at no cost.
For everyday travel, working from home or leaving at a staggered time can spare you many hiccups. Our metro, RER and rail traffic update, refreshed daily, highlights the announced disruptions.
Good news for holidaymakers: the All Saints’ Day return weekend, October 31 and November 1, is not affected by this call. To follow the rest of November 5, including protests and schools, our full article on the November 5 strike is updated as new details come in.
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