The timing is no coincidence. On February 20, 21, and 22, right in the middle of the holiday weekend for the Paris region, ticket inspectors on the Paris-Southeast line could strike. A strike notice has been filed by the Sud-Rail PSE union, targeting train service staff, better known to the public as ticket inspectors.
The movement aims to denounce what the union calls "aggressive management" and a continuous deterioration of working conditions. According to its representatives, the pursuit of productivity is placing an increasingly heavy burden on train crews, to the detriment of their daily work lives. These same grievances have already led to several protests in recent years.
This time, the informal CNA collective, which had spearheaded some of the previous protests, is not behind the strike notice. The initiative explicitly comes from Sud-Rail PSE. In accordance with regulations applicable to public transport, employees wishing to participate in the strike must declare themselves individually at least forty-eight hours before the strike actually begins. This requirement is intended to allow the company to anticipate and organize its transport plan.
Traffic is expected to be "extremely limited," according to management.
Two days before the start of the strike notice period, SNCF Voyageurs sought to reassure the public. Management estimated that the impact on train services could be very limited, or even nonexistent. The company emphasized its ability to adjust staffing levels and, if necessary, mobilize "volunteer occasional train attendants."
These employees, often managers from other departments, may be called upon to provide support on board trains during strikes. This strategy was already implemented during a previous strike in the spring of 2025, allowing the company to run almost all trains despite widespread participation. This method is strongly contested by the unions, who see it as a way to weaken the impact of the right to strike.
The Paris-Southeast line is one of the network's major corridors, serving the Rhône Valley and several popular destinations during the winter school holidays. A strike on this line, even a partial one, therefore carries significant symbolic and practical weight. The actual participation rate remains to be seen. This will determine whether the weekend will be marked by disruptions or near-normal service. For now, management is confident, while the union hopes to amplify its demands by taking advantage of a period of high passenger volume.
