France Port Worker Strikes - June 2024

[Racer70]

Anybody have any up to date information on the unionized dock worker strikes in France beginning in June 4?

 

We’re tentatively scheduled to port in Marseille on June 18 on the Oasis of the Seas. 
 

https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2024/06/france-unionized-dock-workers-to-strike-nationwide-june-4-28#:~:text=Unionized port workers affiliated with the Federation Nationale,the labor action is to denounce retirement reforms.

[livingonthebeach]

9 minutes ago, Racer70 said:

 

Anybody have any up to date information on the unionized dock worker strikes in France beginning in June 4?

 

We’re tentatively scheduled to port in Marseille on June 18 on the Oasis of the Seas.

 

https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2024/06/france-unionized-dock-workers-to-strike-nationwide-june-4-28#:~:text=Unionized port workers affiliated with the Federation Nationale,the labor action is to denounce retirement reforms.

 

This happened to me in Le Havre back in 2016 -- had to dock in Dover, England instead. Apparently strikes are a common occurrence in France. RCI finds alternatives though. Missing Marseille is no biggie, IMO. 

[D&N]

This French site seems to give best info for Marseille: https://www.mumnet.fr/2024/06/04/mouvement-de-greves-au-port-de-marseille/

Most browsers should be able to translate to English. I've pasted a translated copy of the table below. It doesn't mention anything about how cruise calls might be affected. And of course things could change if any deals are done.

Dates	Repercussions on the port of Marseille
Tuesday June 2	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Thursday June 6	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Friday June 7	Closure of the port of Marseille
Monday June 10	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Wednesday June 12	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Thursday June 13	Closure of the port of Marseille
Friday June 14	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Wednesday June 18	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Thursday June 20	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Friday June 21	Closure of the port of Marseille
Monday June 24	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Tuesday June 25	Closure of the port of Marseille
Wednesday June 26	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Friday June 28	4-hour work stoppage over a time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

[marazul]

If anyone is wondering why a 4-hour work stoppage takes 6 hours, it is because the 12 to 2pm lunch is sacred in France. 

[Oriolesfan8]

6 hours ago, Racer70 said:

Anybody have any up to date information on the unionized dock worker strikes in France beginning in June 4?

 

We’re tentatively scheduled to port in Marseille on June 18 on the Oasis of the Seas. 
 

https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2024/06/france-unionized-dock-workers-to-strike-nationwide-june-4-28#:~:text=Unionized port workers affiliated with the Federation Nationale,the labor action is to denounce retirement reforms.

We are on that same cruise. Apparently the traffic in marseille was horrendous today based on their FB sailing. 90 minutes to get to the old port from the ship. People with taxis and Ubers seemed to report better luck. BUT that was all without a port closure...

[Racer70]

2 minutes ago, Oriolesfan8 said:

We are on that same cruise. Apparently the traffic in marseille was horrendous today based on their FB sailing. 90 minutes to get to the old port from the ship. People with taxis and Ubers seemed to report better luck. BUT that was all without a port closure...

Wow. We are booked for a tour of Provence out of Marseille. Hopefully things calm down by June 18.

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

Your friendly neighborhood French speaker, at your service! 😊

 

I looked at a couple of sites out of France, and they have pretty much the same information as the link you posted, but it sounds like the emphasis is on cargo ships, not cruises, and the 18th is currently scheduled to involve "perturbations," not a complete blockage. 

 

At any rate, this strike has been continuing on and off since February. I'm sure Royal has a backup plan in place. 

 

I hope everything works out as you hope!

[Essex_uk]

Having just returned from a short 7 day cruise. The itinary was to stop at Le Harve on 1st June. The itinary was changed so that our planned sea day was to be in Vigo (lovley port by the way) and then sea day back to Southampton. The strike was officially to start from 4th to 28th June, but I understand the previous same itinary cruise also had to divert, so no telling if and when the strike will impact a Le Harve visit.

 

The impact of this meant that a number of passengers who had planned D-Day beach visits missed these.

 

I do wonder if any recent cruises down the North sea from Scotland/Norway/Iceland etc with Le Harve on your itinary had to divert to another port, if so where? Any help may assist others to have a Plan 'B' in hand should thier D-Day beach visit be impacted. 

[latebloomer56]

These strikes appear to be frequent in France and they impact a lot of transportation venues. They were on strike our last visit a few years ago and though we went to the beaches and cemetery we were rushed also didn't actually go down on the beaches as planned just saw from the cliffs and of course the gift shop, always time for that. Remember the Paris excursion was cancelled though because this impacted the time available and Paris was to far.