Intersyndical strike unites multiple sectors

On November 5, 2026, the intersyndical strike reached a historic milestone: for the first time, all the unions representing private contracted education joined the movement, alongside the SNCF and the public sector. More than two million students, or 17% of the national school population, will see their classes disrupted. The SNCF, with its four main unions mobilized, announces major disruptions. The French economy is holding its breath.

Private education unions reach unprecedented unity

The private contracted education sector has never experienced such unity. Fep-CFDT, SNEPL-CFTC, SNPEFP-CGT and SYNEP CFE-CGC, usually divided, are uniting to denounce the insufficiency of salary proposals. According to Le Parisien, the trade unions reject the employer's proposed salary increase of 1.3%, considered derisory in comparison to the 2.41% increase in the minimum wage. In practice, private sector teachers would receive an additional two euros gross per month. This gap widens the gap with their public sector counterparts and fuels anger.

Private education sector's scale and impact

The sector enrolls 2.1 million students in 8,500 institutions. The strike will paralyze private middle schools and high schools, forcing thousands of families to organize. The employer unions, gathered under the Unetp, remain firm on their budgetary positions despite union warnings. The issue goes beyond purchasing power: it questions the ability of the private contracted sector to retain its staff in the face of the growing attractiveness of other sectors.

Railway unions join the strike

The four main railway unions (CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail, CFDT-Cheminots) have confirmed their participation. Le Figaro anticipates major disruptions on TGV, Intercités and TER lines. The francilian RER lines will also face cancellations, complicating the travel of millions of users. The RATP has not yet communicated on the scale of the metro and bus mobilization, but initial notices suggest a difficult day for francilians.

Economic impact of the strike

The direct economic impact will be in the tens of millions of euros: revenue losses for the SNCF, absenteeism in companies, slowdown in commercial activity. The logistics chains, already weakened by international tensions, risk new breaks. Several employer federations have warned about the consequences of a prolonged mobilization, citing a deleterious climate of uncertainty for investors.

Wage gap and inflation

The wage gap crystallizes tensions. While the minimum wage has increased by 2.41% as of January 1, 2026, teachers in the private contracted sector are offered 1.3%, or a monthly gross gain of two euros. Inflation, estimated at 2.2% over twelve months by Insee, mechanically erodes purchasing power. Unions are demanding alignment with the public sector, where the index point could be increased by 2% according to government announcements in September.

Unions demand immediate action

The intersyndical movement has published an unequivocal statement: "The anger is immense. The country's situation is fragile. It is necessary to immediately respond to social and environmental urgencies." Marylise Léon, general secretary of the CFDT, confirmed: "The mobilization appointment is November 5." Sophie Binet, head of the CGT, drives the point home: "The time has come to cross a new threshold in mobilization, the strike must take over."

Strike targets broader economic policies

Beyond salaries, the mobilization targets the 2027 budget plan. The government plans 60 billion euros in savings, part of which will weigh on public services. Freezing social benefits, reducing public sector staff, slowing investments: these are measures that unions consider incompatible with the needs of the country. The intersyndical movement demands increased taxation of assets, inheritances, and dividends to fund salary increases.

Health, education, and transport sectors at risk

The health, education, and transport sectors concentrate the concerns. Public hospitals, already under strain, fear new budget cuts. The National Education system sees its staff numbers stagnate despite demographic increases. Railway infrastructure requires massive investments, but the budget allocated is considered insufficient by experts. The strike on November 5 embodies a collective rejection of this trajectory, perceived as a renunciation of the state's regal missions.

Scale of the strike and its implications

Quantifying the impact: two million students affected, national disruptions. The numbers speak for themselves. Private contracted education employs 140,000 teachers and enrolls 2.1 million students, or 17% of the school population. The strike will also affect the 850,000 state public sector employees mobilized on September 29, to whom are added SNCF, RATP and numerous administrative staff. More than 600 actions were declared for October 24, foreshadowing the scale of the upcoming movement.

Companies brace for economic consequences

Companies anticipate a high absenteeism rate, especially in the Paris region where transport will be most affected. The indirect cost (loss of productivity, reorganization of teams, forced telework) could reach several hundred million euros according to initial estimates by the Medef. The retail sector fears a drop in customer traffic, while the restaurant industry fears cancellation of reservations.