Are we moving towards a “dark week” in the SNCF trains in May, how does Sud Rail promise? In fact, the conditions are met for a fairly hard strike movement since three categories of railway workers have presented a notice for the period from May 6 to 10, with complete exits for the bridge of 8 in May.
And a few days before the start of the movement, the negotiations between management and trade union organizations, with South Rail actually, seem to be blocked.
• Who is going to strike?
- The team agents will be on strike 48 hours from May 6
- Drivers (called ADC) will be on strike from May 7
- The controllers (called ASCT) presented a notice from May 9 to 11
• What are the statements?
Drivers and drivers first point to the implementation of the new planning software. According to Sud Rail, this new application “constantly modifies, without prior notice, at the last moment” the work weeks of the agents.
“How to accept not being able to plan your personal life beyond 48 hours, who would accept not being able to plan a meeting overnight?” The union explains.
The particular controllers also claim an increase of 100 euros per month of the labor bonus and the safety of this premium. Sud Rail estimates that the benefits of SNCF and growth perspectives justify “the distribution of wealth” in the group.
• What consequences on traffic?
If the Sud Sud Rail Union is in the controllers maneuver, in fact it is the National Asct group (Baptized CNA) very active and influential in Social networksthat was behind the great winter strike of 2022, which again presses over management.
During this movement, around 200,000 travelers had been left in the mosaic. Remember that TGV cannot circulate without the board’s head.
According to our information, on the side of the controllers, the movement “would be very often.” Therefore, we can expect numerous cancellations of trains that will be communicated as usual 48 hours before the start of the notice, that is, on May 7.
Especially because, during the weekend of May 10/11, the circulation of trains to and from the southeast (any combined conveyor) will be reduced, after a long -standing infrastructure work of SNCF Réseau. In SNCF travelers, trains that will not circulate have not opened for sale, this refers to 30% of Ouigo TGV, for example, circulating southeastly.
However, SNCF travelers will be able to mobilize groups executives to replace certain controllers (this is a type of controller reserve), but the SNCF refuses to communicate on this issue in the volume of these reservists.
On the driver’s side, the CFDT (third union with these railway workers) highlights the “important commitments” made by management during negotiation meetings and highlights a calendar acted to continue discussions.
According to our information, the movement would be less often, except in regions, particularly in Ile-de-France. According to Sud Rail, 55% of drivers in lines D and R have presented notice.
Some drivers also criticize the growing weight of the controllers collective in social dialogue. “It has become such a powerful corporation with the power to block the TGV traffic that the company gives them everything,” says a train driver.
• What response from management?
If the SNCF highlights the permanent social dialogue, it has been mainly attached to highlighting the commitments made “100%” since 2022. “We have done the job”, it is said.
On the issue of working conditions and the consequences of the new planning software, management admits that there are improvements for the visibility of rail workers. And to announce an external audit, a better visibility of six months during rest periods and a better response capacity after license applications.
On the issue of remuneration, on the other hand, management does not intend to eliminate the checkbook. It highlights the +2.2% increase for the implementation of 2025 during the last NAO and the repetitions that rail workers have benefited from 17% increase in three years, A dispute figure by certain unions and rail workers.
“Everyone benefits, a great effort has been made,” said the Management, which also highlights a profit benefit bonus of 1,300 euros for all this year.
“The SNCF obtains important benefits, railroad workers are productive, we are the most profitable in Europe: how it is abnormal to make the question of the distribution of wealth, we claim a part, it is normal,” says Fabien Villedieu, delegate in Sud Rail. The group recalls that the profits are reinjected to the necessary investments for the network.
The group also insists on their desire to work on the deep reforms of the Complex of Remuneration in the SNCF. Because if the operator ensures that all rail workers perceive at least the minimum wage plus 10%, this remuneration covers a complete millfeuille of variable premium Basic treatment is quite low.
For Sud Rail in particular, these responses are insufficient and justify a mass strike, while CGT rail workers indicate that the account is not there and asks “to increase the balance of energy.”
• A blow of last pressure
Given what is considered a block, Jean-Pierre Farandou plays a last letter when addressed to rail workers directly through an open four-page letter sent to all railway workers on Tuesday. He presses them.
“The next categorical attacks in SNCF travelers will not have added value. On the contrary, the SNCF will permanently weaken and, therefore, all railway workers, even when SNCF travelers face the competition,” he wrote.
“How will our traveler customers react, who give life to the business buying train tickets?, Wonders. These strike movements, aimed at the May bridges, will penalize thousands of customers and relatives who let them find thanks to our trains.”
And to attack: “The dissatisfaction of the French, even their anger, will be great. We will lose their trust. Who could blame our traveler customers to choose, next time, another transport solution?”
The CEO does not hesitate to play in a sensitive rope: “With these attacks, the image of the SNCF will be severely affected. The ‘SNCF attack’ will begin again, while fighting, like many of you, to fight against the ideas received about our business and defend the railway workers when they are unfairly criticized.”
However, if Jean-Pierre Farandou (at the beginning) is quite respected among the unions, his letter goes wrong, especially with Sud Rail.
• The transport minister changes his rifle
This Wednesday, Philippe Tabarot finally believes that requests related to the organization of schedules “are statements that can be understood” when there are still two weeks, he said otherwise.
On the other hand, at the request of the increase in the work premium, it emphasizes as a group that “the company’s profits are there to invest in the network.”
Source: BFM TV
