Nation-wide French transport strike looms for 17 November; last day to file notices falls today

StrikeWatch and StrikeTracker platforms confirm that Friday 13 November is the statutory deadline for public-sector unions to lodge five-clear-day notices for a national day of action planned on Tuesday 17 November. The CGT, UNSA and Solidaires federations say the mobilisation will target purchasing-power issues but will include rail workers (SNCF), Paris transport (RATP) and select regional bus operators. The DGAC civil-aviation authority has not yet asked airlines to cut schedules but could issue minimum-service decrees by Monday lunchtime. StrikeTracker’s live dashboard shows no active rail stoppages today, yet flags the 17 November walk-out as a ‘major’ event with potential nationwide impact on Intercités, TER and some Eurostar positioning moves. Previous general strikes on 5 November caused up to 20 % of TGV services to be cancelled and 35 % of regional buses to run limited timetables. Business-travel agencies are already pushing GDS re-bookings toward the 18–19 November window, fearing a wave of ‘anticipatory’ ticket changes that could overwhelm call centres. Employers should note that under French labour law, staff must inform management of their intention to strike only in specific sectors such as education and air-traffic control; most private-sector employees can participate without notice. HR teams running global-mobility payrolls should prepare contingency plans for assignees commuting across borders—particularly the Luxembourg and Geneva corridors where no-show rates reached 28 % during the last rail strike. Travellers unable to postpone trips are advised to: 1) opt for fully refundable fares, 2) download the SNCF Connect and Assistant SNCF apps for push notifications, and 3) keep taxi receipts, which may be reimbursable under many corporate travel‐insurance policies when linked to documented strike disruption.