Strikes in France in February 2025 and how you may be impacted

A flurry of end-of-year strike action in 2024 was followed by a comparatively quiet January in France. 

Currently, conditions seem to be similar in February, however there are still some strikes looming on the horizon.

Further action is possible, depending on what is included in the upcoming 2025 budget from new prime minister François Bayrou. 

Read more: Tax, retirees, work, immigration… key points from French PM’s latest interview

Port workers - until February 28 

Workers at ports across France plan to strike for four-hour periods across 10 separate days in February. 

The strike follows a two-day walkout at the end of January and three mini walkouts throughout the month. 

However, it is mostly stevedores and other similar workers on strike, and ferry services should see minimal disruptions. 

Unions met on February 3 to discuss further action, with additional full-day walkouts possible

Read more: French port workers on strike: what impact on travellers?

CCF bank employees – February 4

Workers at the Crédit Commercial de France bank will strike on February 4 over pay and working conditions.

Several unions are backing the strike, which may see branch opening hours affected. 

The bank plans to cut 1,400 jobs, unions say, another reason for the action.

France Travail workers - February 4 

Workers at France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi) will also strike on February 4 following an inter-union appeal.

They are striking for better pay and working conditions, as well as an end to privatisation at the agency and an end to temporary/precarious contracts.

It follows action held in December 2024. 

Farmers and agricultural workers - Ongoing 

Farmers have been threatening disruptions since the beginning of the year across France.

Farmers in both France and Spain began action on February 10, blocking border roads.

Some farmers drove to Paris at the beginning of January to blockade roads and land an appointment with the new government, however there was little disruption from the action.

Unions backing the farmers have not announced protests have officially come to an end, and more action may be scheduled.

This will be more likely to occur if there are developments in the EU-Mercosur agreement with South American countries or unsavoury announcements in the upcoming budget.

Lidl workers - ongoing 

Five of the six major unions backing workers at supermarket chain Lidl are backing an 'unlimited' strike by workers at the German retailer. 

The strike began on Friday (February 7)

Action is taking place over poor working conditions, particularly a push to open all stores on Sundays (currently only some of the chain's stores operate on weekends). 

The unlimited strike means workers can opt to walk out at any point until an end to the action is called.

Read more: Lidl workers in France begin unlimited strike over Sunday opening plans