SNCF unions plan an indefinite strike starting December 11 to protest the dismantling of Fret SNCF and the opening of regional routes to competition. They cite management’s inaction and emphasize the need for dialogue to secure employees’ rights amid upcoming changes. This strike follows previous disruptions during holiday travel seasons. Concerns center on the privatization of services and the uncertain future for employees transitioning to new private entities, highlighting a sense of urgency for negotiations before Christmas.
Are trains set to run during Christmas? The unions at SNCF have raised concerns and announced plans for an indefinite strike beginning Wednesday, December 11. Their aim is to halt the planned dismantling of Fret SNCF and to voice their objections to the competition opening for regional routes.
In a joint announcement to the press, the CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail, and CFDT-Cheminots expressed that the ongoing inaction from the management has led them to decide on an unlimited strike, which will be renewed every 24 hours starting from 7:00 PM on December 11.
The unions also reiterated their previous call for a strike from Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00 PM until Friday, November 22 at 8:00 AM.
This isn’t the first instance where social movements at SNCF could disrupt holiday travel. In February, train controllers initiated a strike during a holiday weekend, affecting approximately 150,000 passengers. Similarly, during the Christmas season of 2022, numerous TGV services were canceled due to strike actions.
The unions are staunchly opposed to the planned disbanding of Fret SNCF, France’s leading freight service, which will cease operations on January 1, transforming into two separate entities: Hexafret for freight transport and Technis for locomotive maintenance.
This transition represents the second stage of a restructuring plan negotiated between the French government and the European Commission, aimed at preventing a recovery procedure that could have led to the total dissolution of the company, which employs around 5,000 individuals.
In their statement, the unions emphasized the need for a moratorium to facilitate discussions among stakeholders, ensuring not only the continuity of Fret SNCF but also its future growth.
The Impact of the Strike
Julien Troccaz, the federal secretary of Sud-Rail, shared that the company’s management firmly rejected their proposals during their initial meeting earlier this week.
He expressed concern for employees who have dedicated decades of service to the public entity Fret SNCF, stating, “As of January 1, everything changes. Our colleagues are uncertain about their future; while they know they will transition to private companies, their social rights remain unclear. This situation is understandably distressing.”
Thomas Cavel, general secretary of CFDT-Cheminots, added that there must be an opportunity for dialogue to reach decisions that align better with the collective interest of employees.
“The challenges facing SNCF freight are not just social issues; they also pertain to the broader community,” he noted, highlighting that there’s still time for meaningful negotiations before the holiday season.
Cavel pointed out, “We are quite far from Christmas. With more than a month and a half until the travel period, this is a prime opportunity for productive conversations.”
The unions have broadly criticized what they see as a “trajectory of fragmentation and division” within the network. They have raised alarms about the privatization of TER, Transilien, and Intercités services, as well as the fragmentation of SNCF Réseau due to the opening of competition.
In mid-December, the first workers from SNCF Voyageurs will transition to SNCF subsidiaries created to manage TER contracts initiated by regions opting for competitive rail services.
Troccaz remarked, “When management responds to bids, it will involve private companies, which means a complete reset of employee social rights: this opens the door to a renegotiation of the longstanding social framework at SNCF.”
SNCF management, when contacted, chose not to comment on these developments.