The restructuring of Fret SNCF is underway


the SNCF has launched the restructuring of the company Fret SNCF, threatened by a procedure from Brussels, which should lead to the creation of a new, smaller company (AFP / Archives / JOEL SAGET)

Under the boos of a hundred demonstrators, the SNCF on Friday launched the restructuring of the Fret SNCF company, threatened by a procedure in Brussels, which should lead to the creation of a new, smaller company.

Fret SNCF risks having to reimburse a debt of 5.3 billion euros considered by the European Commission as illegal State aid, which would immediately put this company in bankruptcy.

The solution adopted to avoid such an outcome provides for the company to disappear to be replaced by a new entity, by ceding 20% ​​of its activity to competitors.

“What is happening to us is not our fault, it is not a company decision”, declared the director general of Fret SNCF, Jérôme Leborgne, in front of the demonstrators gathered in front of the company’s headquarters where the management presented its “discontinuity plan” to the social and economic committee (CSE).

“It is a decision which is binding on us, which comes from a long time ago and which was decided between Brussels and the State”, continued Mr. Leborgne, under the cries of “resignation! resignation!”

“I understand the concern and the anger of the railway workers. This case is really a shock, especially since, for two years in 2021 and 2022, we were positive in operating margin for the first time thanks to the commitment of the railway workers. “, he pointed out.

But “between a procedure creating long months of uncertainty for the company and for its employees, a procedure which can lead to the reimbursement of a mortal sum, and a rapid and protective agreement, the responsibility is to choose the second way”, has writes the Minister Delegate for Transport Clément Beaune, in a forum in Le Monde, Friday.

The plan presented in Brussels by the French State provides for the creation on January 1, 2025 of a new company, called for the moment New Fret. It must take over the “capacity management”, that is to say the trains made up by Fret SNCF with the wagons of its various customers, which would not form profitable convoys if they were taken in isolation. These activities represent 80% of Fret SNCF’s turnover and 70% of its traffic.

– “It’s a family” –

Another company, New Maintenance, has to take care of the maintenance as its name suggests. This activity was not included in Fret SNCF before the railway reform launched in 2020.

Fret SNCF risks having to reimburse a debt of 5.3 billion euros considered by the European Commission as illegal State aid, which would immediately put this company in bankruptcy

Fret SNCF risks having to repay a debt of 5.3 billion euros considered by the European Commission as illegal state aid, which would immediately put this company in bankruptcy (AFP/Archives/Jean-François MONIER)

A minority shareholder, which Paris hopes to be public, must enter the capital of these two new entities, which will be attached to the rail freight transport division of the SNCF group, Rail Logistics Europe, with the other subsidiaries Captrain, Naviland Cargo, VIIA and Forwardis. .

There will be “no layoffs, nor staff with the status (railway worker, editor’s note), nor contract workers”, promises the management.

Nearly 3,900 people are to be automatically transferred to New Fret and 500 to New Maintenance.

As for the 450 agents working on the “dedicated trains”, regular freight trains which must be entrusted to competitors, they will be reassigned to the SNCF group or loaned to new operators if they are volunteers.

“It is out of the question to drive for a private company”, assured Friday Mikaël Meusnier, agent of Fret SNCF for 26 years and unionized with the CGT.

“We have always fought for this business. It’s a family. It’s out of the question to part with a few family members,” he said.

The demonstration, at the call of the unions CGT-Cheminots, Unsa railway, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots, did not prevent the holding of the meeting of the CSE.

Trade unionist Fabien Villedieu of SUD-Rail during a demonstration in January 2023 in Paris

Trade unionist Fabien Villedieu of SUD-Rail during a demonstration in January 2023 in Paris (AFP/Archives/STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN)

“We nationalize the losses and privatize the profits”, denounced Fabien Villedieu for SUD-Rail.

“The government should have courage and tell the European Commission that if we want trucks to stop circulating and be transferred to rail, we must help railway companies,” he said. “For there to be no more trucks, there must be train and for there to be train, we must not start by weakening the main operator.”

The management hopes to recover “within three to four years” the 750 million euros in turnover currently achieved by Fret SNCF. “In 2030, we will be bigger than today because the market is buoyant,” predicts a leader.

© 2023 AFP

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