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Post by Anne on Mar 3, 2009 10:13:05 GMT -5
The unions aren't happy with the outcome of the strike of January 29, they claim that the government's reflationary policy should be more targeted on citizens (unumployment and consumption) and less on big business, so there will be a big strike with demonstrations on March 19, which they hope will be even more successful than the January one .
For those going to or being in Paris on that day (Holger ?), Air France, the SNCF and the RATP (among many others) will be on strike . That doesn't mean that there will be no traffic at all, but it should be quite awkward . Museums may be difficult too .
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Post by suzanne on Mar 3, 2009 12:30:53 GMT -5
We are arriving at CDG on the 20th and taking AF Bus to Gare Montparnasse. Will the strike be over by then?
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Post by holger on Mar 3, 2009 18:27:12 GMT -5
We have very expensive tickets for a ballet at Opera Garnier that night. Will that still be on? I will be very upset if we cannot get there. Will there be taxis? I suppose we could walk from our apartment but it will be a long walk and we would have to walk back afterwards too.
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Post by Katharine on Mar 3, 2009 19:01:37 GMT -5
Having read many times about these day-long strikes, I am curious as to their effectiveness. Do they truly accomplish anything, or are they rather to show Sarko that certain groups (here, the unions) are unhappy with current policy? Does anythign ever change as a result of them? BTW, I want to say that I find it so nice that they let you know way in advance of the strike day (is that mandated by law??) and seem to be so orderly about it. Seems very - well, French, doesn't it?  Katharine |
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Post by Shoesy on Mar 4, 2009 0:31:25 GMT -5
Holger - I'm crossing my fingers for you. I hate the thought of that night being less than perfect for you.
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Post by Anne on Mar 4, 2009 4:24:08 GMT -5
Katharine, yes, the strikes are usually pretty effective, at least the long-lasting ones are, but Sarko is usually not very impressed by one-day strikes, which are mere "démonstrations de force" . And I am sorry to tell you that the reason why the unions let us know way in advance about the strike is not to be nice but to entice as many workers as possible to join the strike  ... By law, unions in the public services have to inform their company/administration that they will organize a strike at least 5 days ahead BUT individual workers have to officially tell their company that they will join the strike only one or two days ahead (I am not sure which), and believe me, they wait for the latest moment to tell in the companies where the unions are the most "aggressive" like SNCF or RATP . That's why it is so difficult to tell much ahead how much disrupted the traffic will be  . Suzanne, yes the strike will be over on the 20th, but there are often some delays in planes in the morning after a strike, time for everything to go back to normal . Holger, I am sorry but I have no idea whether the workers at Palais Garnier will join the strike or not, you should monitor their website a few days ahead : www.operadeparis.fr/cns11/live/onp/site/As for now, the program (see "calendar") for March 19 is normal . I really don't think that taxis will join the strike (métro strike days must be their most profitable ones  !) , but you may have problems to find one during rush hour . I know this is frustrating and I do feel sorry for telling you about the strike yet not being able to tell you what the exact consequences will be . I was mostly posting this so that you could modify whatever was still modifiable in your schedule, like for example not planning to go to Versailles by RER on that day ... |
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Post by holger on Mar 4, 2009 7:34:28 GMT -5
Anne,
If the workers at Opera Garnier join the strike and there is no performance, will we be able to get a refund for our tickets?
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Post by Anne on Mar 4, 2009 8:32:34 GMT -5
 OF COURSE you will !!! They may offer you to swap your tickets to another day if they still have availabilities (or you can ask for this), but they have no right to force you to accept if it's not convenient for you .
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Post by kerouac on Mar 4, 2009 15:31:14 GMT -5
Having read many times about these day-long strikes, I am curious as to their effectiveness. Do they truly accomplish anything, or are they rather to show Sarko that certain groups (here, the unions) are unhappy with current policy? Does anythign ever change as a result of them? BTW, I want to say that I find it so nice that they let you know way in advance of the strike day (is that mandated by law??) and seem to be so orderly about it. Seems very - well, French, doesn't it? Katharine The strikes give the government a very precise poll of the political climate in various work sectors by counting the percentage of people on strike. Also the number of participants in the marches is monitored, because this goes far beyond just strikers -- it is their day off for some people, or they are unemployed, or they may be retired. When the turnout is larger than expected, the government gets nervous. Recent laws require strikers to announce their intent to strike at least 24 to 48 hours ahead of time. This allows things like the SNCF and the RATP to rework their schedules to reduce disruptions. That's why there has not been a 'hard' transportation strike in the past few years. As unrest continues to increase, the government has been weakening more and more while refusing to admit it. They have clearly hired a PR company for their communications because now unpopular proposed legislation is not "abandoned" like in the old days, but we are informed that the project "remains" but will be "rewritten." The unhappiest workers at the moment are university professors and scientific research workers, so no matter what they do, it will really not bother tourists too much. |
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Post by Katharine on Mar 4, 2009 18:25:24 GMT -5
Anne and kerouac, Thanks to both of you for the explanation. It helps to understand what seem to be more and more frequent strikes (frequent being relative, mind you). I hope the disruptions are minimal for all OPF travelers.  Katharine |
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Post by phread on Mar 5, 2009 8:41:57 GMT -5
Normally, the strikes run from around eight-ish the night prior until eight-ish the day of teh strike, so even if you have to walk to the Opera Garnier, you should be able to find a cab home, no problem.
Because of internet and RTT days, one day strikes have been having less and lessof an influence on traffic and general transportation.
For flights from CDG on the 20th, long haul flights are given a priority so flights to the US shoud not be an issue.
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Post by Anne on Mar 18, 2009 3:47:37 GMT -5
Holger, the Opéra website says that the ballet Le Parc d'Angelin tomorrow at 7.30 is cancelled . I do hope that it isn't the one that you planned to attend ... www.operadeparis.fr/cns11/live/onp/site/Surprisingly enough, while tomorrow strike is expected to be more successful that the previous one in administrations and big companies, the RATP says that its métro and bus traffic should be almost normal . There will only be significant problems in the parts of the RER A and B which are operated by the RATP . SNCF says that its part of the RER A should be normal, while traffic should be 35% on its part of the RER B and on the RER C and D . RER E should be 50% . |
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Post by holger on Mar 18, 2009 5:03:18 GMT -5
Anne,
Yes it is the one we have very expensive tickets for. Now I am wondering what we should do. I guess we should go there today to see if we can exchange for another night.
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Post by cybee on Mar 18, 2009 7:33:40 GMT -5
Yes, yesterday I was checking on plays at Comedie Francais (for June trip ) and noted one that was scheduled for March 19 was cancelled due to the strike. That made me think of you , Holger, so then I looked up the Opera website and at that time it seemed all was well...so apparently I did not see it correctly or this is a most recent change! Oh, dear. Yes, I would think they would exchange the tickets to another night..but bother! Let us hope this works out.
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Post by Anne on Mar 18, 2009 8:27:53 GMT -5
I had been checking on Monday and didn't notice any announcement either .
I am very sorry Holger . Yes, you should go there today or Friday . There are good chances that the ticket office may be closed tomorrow .
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Post by kerouac on Mar 18, 2009 9:28:48 GMT -5
On certain rare occasions, performances have gone ahead anyway on a strike day, generally without any set décor, on a naked stage.
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Post by holger on Mar 18, 2009 10:18:59 GMT -5
We went to the Box Office after opening the web site and yes the ballet is cancelled. This performance for tonight was sold out so we did get a refund. I had purchased the tickets last November so I am truly sad. Have been looking forward to a performance at Opera Garnier but I guess this means that there must be a next trip.
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Post by Shoesy on Mar 18, 2009 11:57:42 GMT -5
Holger - So sorry about that.  Why couldn't they have picked a different day to stike?  |
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!) , but you may have problems to find one during rush hour .
Katharine
Why couldn't they have picked a different day to stike? 
hahahha