2024-11-25 20:43:00
All the SNCF unions called on the railway workers on Monday to go on strike from December 11 at 7:00 p.m. mainly to demand a moratorium on the dismantling of Fret SNCF, but also to protest against the terms of the opening to competition of the regional lines.
All of the railway group’s unions “call on the government to convene a tripartite negotiation meeting without delay if it wants to avoid a strike”, while a first day of mobilization organized on Thursday was moderately attended.
Disappearance of SNCF Freight
“The demand for a moratorium on the discontinuity process [de Fret SNCF] is more relevant than ever,” write the federations of the CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail and the CFDT-Cheminots in a joint press release.
“It is unthinkable and irresponsible to liquidate a major public player and essential to the decarbonization of transport”, deplore the unions for their part, while Fret SNCF, French leader in rail freight transport, must disappear on January 1 in favor of two new subsidiaries, with a weight loss cure.
1,200 railway workers transferred
The 500 railway workers not retained – out of 5,000 – will all be reclassified in other companies in the group, SNCF promised. But the unions want to believe that there is room for negotiation with the new European executive and in particular Teresa Ribera, commissioner in charge of ecological transition and competition.
The dismantling of Fret SNCF resulted from the opening of an investigation by the European Commission into illegal public aid and was negotiated by the French government in order to avoid prosecution. The inter-union is also concerned about the transfer of 1,200 railway workers to subsidiaries of the group in December, where the regional train market (TER) has opened up to competition.
A first strike with little follow-up
“It is a dogmatic choice assumed by the president [Jean-Pierre] Farandou aimed at preserving the margins of the SNCF to the detriment of the social gains of railway workers”, express the unions, who fear an overhaul of the rules governing the organization of working time.
Finally, they ask for a “multi-year programming law” to finance the maintenance of the network and “develop the transport of goods and passengers”. Last Thursday’s day of mobilization, presented as an “ultimatum” posed to the government and the management of the SNCF, was only followed by a quarter of the railway workers. But this time the unions are threatening a renewable strike if no response is provided to their demands.
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What specific changes to the Fret SNCF division are the Sud-Rail union protesting against, and how do they impact workers and public service?
**Interview with Lucie Moreau, a representative from the Sud-Rail union**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Lucie. The SNCF unions have called for a significant strike starting December 11. Could you tell us more about the main issues driving this decision?
**Lucie Moreau:** Absolutely. The central issue is the proposed dismantling of Fret SNCF, the freight division of the SNCF. The unions have united to demand a moratorium on this process, which we believe is essential not only for the future of the workers but also for maintaining a vital public service necessary for the decarbonization of transport in France.
**Editor:** You mentioned a “discontinuity process.” Can you elaborate on what that means and why it’s so controversial?
**Lucie Moreau:** The discontinuity process essentially refers to the plan to dismantle Fret SNCF by merging it into two new subsidiaries. This restructure threatens about 500 jobs out of the 5,000 in the division, which we see as an irresponsible move. It undermines a major player in rail freight transport, which is critical for both the French economy and environmental goals.
**Editor:** There’s been a call for the government to convene a tripartite negotiation meeting. What do you hope to achieve through this discussion?
**Lucie Moreau:** We’re urging the government to take our concerns seriously by opening a dialog with the unions and SNCF management. Our goal is to find a solution that not only preserves jobs but also ensures the efficiency and service provision of rail freight during this shift to a competitive environment. We believe that negotiation is vital to avoid unnecessary disruption and hardship for both workers and the public.
**Editor:** The first day of mobilization saw moderate attendance. How does that impact the unions’ strategy moving forward?
**Lucie Moreau:** While initial attendance was modest, it’s just the beginning. We expect larger mobilizations as we approach the strike date. It’s important to build momentum, and we believe our message will resonate more strongly as the strike date nears and as more workers and supporters become aware of the implications of the proposed changes.
**Editor:** how can the public support the railway workers during this time of uncertainty?
**Lucie Moreau:** Public support is crucial. By staying informed and voicing their concerns to local representatives about the impact of dismantling a major public asset like Fret SNCF, the public can help amplify our message. Solidarity is key—what happens to railway workers impacts everyone who relies on public transport.
**Editor:** Thank you, Lucie, for sharing your insights. We’ll continue to follow this developing story as the strike date approaches.
**Lucie Moreau:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we keep these conversations going.