PARIS (Reuters) – Traffic will be severely disrupted from December 2 to 5 on the entire long-distance train network due to a strike by train managers over wage issues, the SNCF announced on Wednesday.
The railway group plans to run only four TGVs and four Intercités out of ten during the weekend. For high-speed trains, the recovery should be gradual on Monday with three out of four trains.
Traffic will be normal on the Eurostar and Thalys and slightly disrupted on the connections to Switzerland and Germany. However, there will be no traffic to Spain.
“The captains, in addition to their role of control and information, perform an essential function in terms of traffic and passenger safety, and are therefore essential to authorize the circulation of a TGV in all safety conditions” , writes the SNCF in a press release.
The group explains that the strike action comes as the management has made proposals to the trade unions to improve the career development and remuneration of skippers, after weeks of negotiations.
“The management’s proposals are insufficient with regard to the demands made”, writes the UNSA-Ferroviaire in a union leaflet.
Mandatory annual wage negotiations for all employees are due to begin next week.
(Caroline Pailliez, editing by Kate Entringer)
click here for restrictions
©2022 Reuters