Rail union SUD accuses Transport Minister of adding to the fire ahead of 8 May strike on SNCF
Let's Dig into the SNCF Strike this Weekend!
The SNCF strike controversy rages on, with the hot topic taking center stage on May 8. Just a few days ago, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot declared on Bolloré Europe 1 and CNews media that the SNCF controllers' demands were "not legitimate". This didn't sit well with Fabien Villedieu, federal secretary of SUD rail, who responded sternly.
"The minister's just adding fuel to the fire, not helping find a solution. But I'm a believer in social dialogue...the strike isn't inevitable," Villedieu declared on Europe 1 on April 21. "Sure, we have demands, and they need to be addressed."
Villedieu revealed there'll be a meeting with SNCF management on Wednesday, focusing on controllers' grievances about unpredictable schedules and last-minute changes, as well as work bonuses.
Three unions, SUD rail, the CNA, and even the larger CGT Cheminots, are urging controllers to strike from May 9 to 11. SUD rail has also summoned drivers to strike on May 7 before the holiday.
However, on Friday, Minister Philippe Tabarot labeled these demands "not legitimate" and stated that controllers aren't the most underpaid within SNCF. He reiterated this sentence on France 3 on Sunday, adding that the demands about schedules were more justifiable than those regarding remuneration.
"Come on, do we have to be the most underpaid to make demands and strike?" Villedieu questioned, pointing out SNCF's impressive financial results - 1.5 billion euros in profits in 2024[6]. Even though SUD rail tried to avoid striking during school holidays, they feel they're not told when they can strike. Villedieu wittily noted, "We've made the effort not to strike during school holidays, we need to be told when we have the right to strike."
Breaking it all down:
- SNCF controllers are demanding a re-evaluation and overhaul of the work bonus system to improve their compensation[3][5].
- There are concerns about strained working conditions due to new tools for controllers[3][5].
The French government has underlined the economic consequences of the strikes, with each day of strike bringing significant economic losses[4]. Despite their warnings, no specific concessions or agreements have been announced by the government, demonstrating a firm stance against meeting all union demands right away.
Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, mentioned the possibility of passengers seeking alternative transportation during strikes, emphasizing the strain on SNCF to maintain seamless service[2]. The government's response has been more focused on outlining the disruptive effects of the strikes instead of proposing immediate solutions to the controllers' demands. Negotiations between unions like SUD Rail and SNCF management have so far failed to reach an agreement, causing the continuation of the strike action[2].
- Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot highlighted the SNCF controllers' demands for a re-evaluation and overhaul of the work bonus system as "not legitimate."
- Fabien Villedieu, federal secretary of SUD rail, criticized Minister Philippe Tabarot for adding fuel to the fire and not helping find a solution, while stressing the unionists' legitimate demands needed to be addressed.
- During the meeting with SNCF management scheduled for Wednesday, SUD rail intends to discuss controllers' grievances, including concerns about unpredictable schedules, last-minute changes, and work bonuses.
- In the context of general-news politics, the ongoing SNCF strike controversy, with its focus on unionists' demands, has been a major point of discussion, as the strike is set to continue from May 9 to 11, with the potential for earlier action on May 7.
