REPORTAGE – In this weekend of strikes, where only 4 out of 10 trains will run, anger has given way to fatigue among travelers.
“The most exhausting thing is the repetitive nature. We are constantly held hostage“Squeaks Fabien, sitting on a bench at Saint-Lazare station (8th arrondissement), his suitcase between his legs. Like him, thousands of French people find themselves faced with a new social movement by the French railway company. This time, it was the controllers who decided to stop work for the whole weekend to demand better recognition of their status. As a result, only four out of ten trains can run.
On the user side, it is clearly weariness that dominates. “We don’t even know why they’re on strike anymore“Adds the forties, rubbing his graying beard. According to him, the railwaymen would do betterto put the train freeto express their demands. A few meters away, Gwen, her nose hanging from the bulletin board, is caustic: “It’s the SNCF Christmas tradition, every year there are strikes“, she laughs yellow.
This time, it is the controllers who want to express their dissatisfaction, despite efforts on the part of management. The increase “the work bonus of 600 euros per year for all skippers“and its integration”partial fixed salary in 2024“as well as the other advantages, offered by the management”are going in the right direction“Wrote SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots in a press release. Nevertheless, the unions deplorethe answers concerning the recognition of the profession and its valorization“, as well as the proposals “on career development were not considered satisfactory by the officials concerned“.
The difficult quest for a spare ticket
Another station, but the same atmosphere in Montparnasse (14th). The Atlantic axis is the most affected by cancellations, only one in four trains can circulate. For the few passengers present in the hall, obtaining the ticket was a struggle and with a lot of stress. “ I learned on Wednesday that my ticket for Rennes had been cancelled. I spent the next 24 hours updating the SNCF site until a place became available“points out Christine, who is going to spend the weekend with her family.
Not far from her, sitting at the foot of a pylon and her head in her novel, Marine was less lucky: “I had to return home to Saint-Nazaire, but I learned yesterday that my ticket was canceled“, she explains. Despite her attempts, she was unable to find an equivalent ticket, “I can go as far as Le Mans. I’m going to spend a night there and I’ll continue my journey tomorrow“.
Degrade train image
Ecological at heart, Alain is especially concerned about the image that the frequent social movements give of this low-polluting mode of transport. An asset that the SNCF has been regularly highlighting for some time. “This risks discouraging many French people from traveling by train for the end of year celebrations“, points out this Brestois. He himself also made the choice to go by car, to join his family in the south of France. “I hope to do it in an electric car, I’m waiting for it to be delivered to me“, he insists almost apologetically.
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Accustomed to these social movements, some users have learned to be satisfied with small advances. If she finds that these strikescome back too often“, Christine underlines that the group has greatly improved on communication. “Ten years ago, we arrived at the station without knowing if we were going to be able to leave. Now we have the info several days in advance“.