Do trains run during the Christmas holidays? In a letter sent on November 9, 2023 to the railway trade union organizations that could enter into consultation Western Francethe Sud Rail union invites the CGT Cheminots, the Unsa Ferroviaire and the CFDT Cheminots to “build a powerful mobilization” by“union unity” in the coming weeks “subject of salaries”. Contacted, Sud Rail, 3e Railway union behind the CGT and Unsa, confirms the information from Parisian from next Tuesday, November 14, 2023, according to which mobilization during the Christmas holidays is being considered.
“All options on the table”
The trade union organization explains this “All options are on the table”. “We are still in consultation with all our members to know whether or not we will sign this salary agreement. explains Fabien Villedieu, one of the spokespersons for the Sud Rail Federation. The first trend is no, because the proposed general increase of 1.8% is insufficient given inflation, SNCF’s problems and SNCF’s profits of 2.4 billion euros. »
Last Wednesday, the management of the public group announced that it had made a proposal “average increase” salaries of 4.6% for the year 2024, including an overall increase of 1.8%, recalls theAFP. At the same time, low wages would receive an extra boost, so that everyone would be at least 10% above the minimum wage.
According to the group’s HR director, Philippe Bru, relayed by theAFPWith the increases granted in 2022 and 2023, salaries will have increased by an average of 17% over three years, if the 2024 proposal is applied. Still talking to the news agency, Sud Rail describes this figure as “communication plan” unfair.
“We are looking for something better”
If Sud Rail does not sign this agreement, as seems likely, “we are looking for something better,” explains Fabien Villedieu. According to the decisions of the other three unions, “All options are on the table, we will not deny ourselves anything. Perhaps a one-day strike in December, or a one-day strike targeting major departures in December? It’s too early to tell.” because it will depend “what the other unions are going to do”possible “compromise”and from “what the inter-union will decide on the follow-up”.
Respond to ‘purchasing power’ and ‘attractiveness’ issues
At Sudrail, “Our demand is very simple: an increase of €400 per month. This would cost the SNCF about 700 million euros per year, which made 2 billion in profits and donated over a billion to the competition fund., explains Fabien Villedieu. This enlargement “would address the purchasing power problem of railway workers” and to “Recruitment Complications”because “Today, SNCF is no longer attractive and we have major personnel problems”.
Strikes disrupted traffic last winter
Last year, only the CFDT had signed the agreement on Compulsory Annual Negotiations (NAO), recalls theAFP. Last winter, inspectors’ strike movements, launched outside any union framework, disrupted traffic in the month of December 2022. Negotiations ended on December 23, allowing trains to run on New Year’s Eve, but many trains were canceled for Christmas.
Contacted by telephone, SNCF could not immediately confirm the figures for the ongoing negotiations or comment on the subject.