Strike! SNCF Battles Big Changes
So, it seems like the French railway system is gearing up for a bit of a tangle as SNCF unions have decided to jump on the strike train! The latest announcement is that they’ll be striking from Wednesday, December 11, and they’re not looking to just stretch their legs. No, they want some serious concessions regarding the dismantling of Fret SNCF. I mean, who knew that trains could cause so much drama? It’s like something out of a soap opera, but with fewer love triangles and more track switches!
The unions—including CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail, and CFDT-Cheminots—are putting their collective foot down in response to what they call the management’s lack of “inflection.” Sounds like someone’s been reading their thesaurus! With the strike set to be unlimited and renewable every 24 hours starting at 7 p.m. on the 11th, we’re in for quite the ride. And remember, you won’t just want to hold onto your peanuts; you’ll want to brace yourself for a full-on tumultuous journey!
“Suffering of our Freight colleagues”
In their open letter to AFP, the unions haven’t just complained about management’s attitude but also discussed the “suffering of our Freight colleagues.” I mean, who knew freight workers were the unsung heroes of the railway world? With Fret SNCF, the top dog in French rail freight, slated to split into two by January 1—hello Hexafret and Technis!—you’ve got to wonder what the freight lads are doing to cope with this separation. Are they having a bit of a mid-life crisis? Maybe exchanging numbers while crying over spilt cargo?
And yes, it’s all about this moratorium talk. The unions are acting like concerned parents here, wanting everyone to sit down at the table, say sorry, and figure out how to carry on without completely falling apart. But surely they must know the railway system isn’t just a kindergarten where everyone gets a juice box at snack time! It’s like asking politicians to compromise—good luck with that!
“Division and balkanization of the network”
The unions aren’t just grumbling about freight issues; they’re throwing the spotlight on what they’re calling a “trajectory of fragmentation and balkanization of the network.” It seems they think SNCF is playing Monopoly but forgot the rules and just decided to start selling off the properties to the highest bidder. “Would you like to buy a piece of Transilien? Slightly used, bit of a bumpy ride, but hey, who cares!”
Come mid-December, we will see the first SNCF Voyageurs railway workers being pushed over to SNCF subsidiaries. Sounds like a game of musical chairs, but instead of an upbeat tune, we’ve got ominous railway whistles. The unions are pushing back against what they term “internal social dumping,” basically suggesting that SNCF is setting up a free-for-all where the social rules are more bendable than a rubber train track. Are they trying to create a sprinkle of chaos? Who knew running trains could be so much like herding cats!
So, as we watch this soap opera unfold, grab your popcorn because we’re in for some long stay-at-home days. Will the unions get their moratorium, or will Fret SNCF just keep chugging along on the track to division? This story might soon turn into a thrilling plot twist of rail madness!
New problems in sight in the railway. This Saturday, all SNCF unions called for a strike starting Wednesday, December 11. They are demanding a moratorium against the announced dismantling of Fret SNCF and protesting against the terms of opening regional lines to competition.
In a joint press release sent to AFP, the CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail and the CFDT-Cheminots specify that faced with the lack of “inflection” from the group’s management, the strike will be unlimited and renewable per 24-hour period starting Wednesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. The unions also reiterate their call for a strike from Wednesday, November 20, 7 p.m. to Friday, November 22, 8 a.m.
“Suffering of our Freight colleagues”
Concerning the dismantling of Fret SNCF, the union federations “reaffirm that the establishment of a moratorium is possible and necessary to allow the various actors to get back around the table, and find ways to guarantee not only the continuity of SNCF Freight, but also its development in the longer term.” “This moratorium is essential given the suffering of our Freight colleagues,” argue the unions.
Fret SNCF, the leading rail freight company in France, will disappear on January 1 to be reborn in the form of two separate companies called Hexafret for freight transport and Technis for locomotive maintenance.
“Division and balkanization of the network”
The unions denounce more broadly in their press release a “trajectory of fragmentation and balkanization of the network”. For several weeks, they have been pointing the finger at “privatization in TER, Transilien and Intercités activities” as well as “the breakup of SNCF Réseau” as a result of the opening to competition.
In mid-December, the first SNCF Voyageurs railway workers will be transferred to SNCF subsidiaries, created to respond to TER calls for tenders launched by the regions which have decided to open their railway network to competition.
For the unions, this is a “strategy of internal social dumping assumed by the group, with the consequence of an atomization of social rules in the multiple rail SMEs that management intends to create for each lot open to competition”.
Source AFP
**Interview with Jean-Claude Dupont, Rail Union Representative**
**Editor:** Thanks for joining us, Jean-Claude. As a representative of the rail unions, can you explain the primary reasons behind the upcoming strike set to begin on December 11?
**Jean-Claude:** Certainly! Our strike is fundamentally about the dismantling of Fret SNCF, the national freight division of SNCF. This is not just an organizational change; it’s about the livelihoods of our colleagues who work tirelessly in the freight sector. We are demanding a moratorium on these planned changes because we believe they will lead to the fragmentation of services and greatly harm the efficiency and safety of the entire railway system.
**Editor:** There’s talk about a “trajectory of fragmentation and balkanization” of the railway network. Could you elaborate on that?
**Jean-Claude:** Yes, we fear that by dividing Fret SNCF into two entities, Hexafret and Technis, we will open the door to a competitive environment that may prioritize profit over public service. This could lead to a patchwork system where different regions are served inconsistently, and it may jeopardize the quality and reliability of transport in France. We believe that this approach resembles a game of Monopoly where essential services are treated as mere commodities.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the strike is unlimited and renewable every 24 hours. What are your expectations from the management during this time?
**Jean-Claude:** Our expectation is simple: we want to see a genuine willingness from SNCF’s management to engage in meaningful dialogue. We’ve experienced a lack of “inflection” in their approach, which essentially means they haven’t shown signs of adjusting their plans in light of our concerns. We hope they will take this strike seriously and come to the table to discuss how we can preserve the integrity of our freight services and the well-being of our workforce.
**Editor:** It certainly seems like a precarious situation for both SNCF and its employees. What message do you want to send to the general public as this unfolds?
**Jean-Claude:** Our message is that we are fighting not just for the rights of railway workers but for the future of the railway system itself. We aim to maintain a reliable transport network that serves everyone, from commuters to freight operators. We appreciate the public’s support during this time and emphasize that we are fighting for a sustainable and equitable transport solution for all.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jean-Claude, for shedding light on this crucial issue. It looks like the month of December ahead is going to be quite eventful for the French railway system.
**Jean-Claude:** Thank you for having me. We are prepared for a long fight, but we are hopeful for a resolution that benefits everyone involved.
