The Strike on October 2th, 2025 has been confirmed by the inter-union group comprising CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, FSU, and Solidaires. This announcement follows the failure of discussions with the government on September 24 in Matignon.

This mobilization follows the strike on September 18, which brought together more than 500,000 demonstrators according to the Ministry of the Interior, causing major disruptions to transport, education, and public services. Users should expect massive blockages in schools, train stations, and hospitals.

Why this Strike on October 2th, after the one on September 18?

The new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with the unions at Matignon on September 24, but as expected, the meeting was deemed unsuccessful.

This strike on October 2 continues the strikers’ strategy of escalation. After the disruptions on September 18 in transportation and national education, the unions, through Murielle Guilbert (Solidaires), are calling for a massive strike to counter “austerity measures.”

Furthermore, the unions know that Sébastien Lecornu, Prime Minister without a solid majority in the National Assembly, is caught up in a tight schedule and faces a series of challenges that his predecessor was unable to overcome. Faced with a divided left and a vigilant National Rally, he must manage the rise of union discontent. The threat of a motion of no confidence, tabled on October 1 by the La France Insoumise party with the uncertain support of the Socialists, adds to the political urgency. It is a tense situation, with the budget bill due to be tabled before October 13.

What are the demands at the heart of this social movement?

The CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, FSU, and Solidaires unions are joining forces against austerity measures and demanding that controversial reforms be scrapped. Main demands – unchanged:

• Raising the retirement age to 64: contested 2023 reform, calling for its repeal.
• Unemployment insurance reform: rejection of the proposed tightening of the system, with the government beginning to back down, as noted by Marylise Léon (CFDT).
• Freeze on social benefits in 2026: a measure aimed at reducing public debt, criticized for its impact on low-income households.
• Doubling of medical deductibles: a further doubling, after that of 2024, threatens access to healthcare.
• Elimination of 3,000 civil service jobs: accused of undermining education, health, and security.
• Tax justice: calls for taxation of high incomes and large fortunes, according to economists such as Zucman (Socialist).
• Conditional aid to businesses: €211 billion in public aid should be linked to social and environmental commitments.

As can be easily seen from these demands, none of the unions mention France’s debt at the end of the second quarter of 2025, which stands at €3,416.3 billion, an increase of €70.9 billion after €40.2 billion in the previous quarter, representing 115% of GDP. Debt servicing has become the second largest item of expenditure: in 2025, it will represent around €55 billion (in the general government accounts), or 9.5% of the government budget according to the Bank of France. This burden has doubled in volume since 2020. The debt now represents almost €50,000 per French citizen. For a married couple with two children, the household debt is €200,000! A tidy sum that could be put to better use elsewhere, for example to avoid strikers’ demands for higher wages!

Which sectors will be affected and what disruptions can be expected during the Strike on October 2th?

SNCF (Railroad)

The four unions representing SNCF employees (CGT Cheminots, Unsa ferroviaire, Sud Rail, and CFDT Cheminots) have joined forces in a joint statement calling for “massive mobilization.”

This suggests that the disruption will be much greater than on September 18, when only Intercités and TER drivers mobilized en masse (one in two trains), while 90% of TGVs ran as normal.

Traffic forecasts will be available the night before on SNCF Connect.

RATP (Paris Metro and RER)

The four main unions at RATP (CGT, Force Ouvrière, Unsa-Mobilité, and CFE-CGC) are also participating.

On September 18, service was only provided during rush hour on most lines.

The day before the strike, check the RATP app and the official website for traffic forecasts.

National Education

CGT Education is calling for “amplified strike action” and the national council of SNES-FSU (the leading secondary school union) has voted “almost unanimously in favor of an action plan.” Its secretary general, Sophie Vénétitay, confirms that the movement will be “well supported.”

Contact your child’s school directly to find out about childcare arrangements.

Civil Service

Several federations have joined forces, with strike notices filed by the CGT public services federation (cities, departments, regions), Solidaires Fonction publique (three branches), and SUD Collectivités Territoriales.

The unions are seeking to broaden the mobilization in this sector, where the strike rate was only 7.5% on September 18. Check the websites of local authorities to see which municipal and administrative services are open.

La Poste

The CGT FAPT federation has filed a 24-hour strike notice covering all La Poste staff.

Check the laposte.fr website to see which post offices are open.

Healthcare

Public hospitals: several strike notices have been issued for the public hospital sector on October 2. The CFDT public sector union has written to the minister to file a strike notice covering employees in all three sectors (state, local, and hospital) for this day of action.

This mobilization follows the low participation rate on September 18 (7.5% in the public hospital sector), which the unions are seeking to increase.

Minimum service will be maintained in all healthcare facilities. Patients are advised to postpone non-urgent appointments and to contact their facility to check whether consultations are still scheduled.

Demonstrations throughout France linked to the Strike on October 2th

The inter-union coalition is also calling for demonstrations across the country on October 2. The strike on September 10, followed by the September 18 strike, brought together between 500,000 demonstrators (according to the Ministry of the Interior) and more than a million (according to the CGT) across France. Marches are planned in major French cities, with rallies in front of prefectures and in city centers.

How can you adapt the Strike on October 2th?

Practical advice for preparing for October 2

• Transport updates: check the SNCF, RATP, or local apps for real-time updates.
• Teleworking: prioritize this if your job allows it to avoid transportation difficulties.
• Childcare: contact the school/daycare center to anticipate possible closures.
• Appointments: postpone non-urgent medical or administrative appointments.