A planned public sector strike on Tuesday, September 29, is expected to cause only "normal" or "nearly normal" traffic on public transportation in France, according to the SNCF and RATP, the main rail and metro operators. Despite the strike, which involves thousands of workers, the transportation networks are anticipated to function largely as usual. A RATP spokesperson told AFP that the Paris metro and RER systems would operate "normally," while SNCF Voyageurs confirmed that passenger trains on TGV and Intercités routes would run "normally," and TER routes would see "nearly normal" service. On the Transilien network, most lines are expected to function without major issues, though some disruptions are predicted on RER C, RER D, RER E, and lines R and V. The strike comes as public sector unions push for better pay after another year of a frozen salary index, which determines the base wages for public employees. The unions, including the CGT, FO, CFDT, Unsa, FSU, Solidaires, CFE-CGC, and FA-FP, announced the strike to pressure the government just days before the planned presentation of the 2027 budget. The unions are demanding improved pay conditions, especially after a September marked by high inflation, partly driven by rising fuel prices. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had indicated in mid-September that he wished to freeze the salary index again, a decision that has sparked frustration among public sector workers. Since 2017, the salary index has only been increased twice—by 3.5% in 2022 and 1.5% in 2023—resulting in a total increase of just over 5%. Meanwhile, inflation, as measured by INSEE, is expected to reach 24.17% by the end of 2026, far outpacing the small wage increases. This growing disparity between wages and rising living costs has fueled the current wave of protests and strikes across the public sector.