SNCF unions call for an indefinite strike from December 11 against the dismantling of the freight subsidiary

This indefinite strike by the SNCF unions is in addition to that of November 21.

“No concrete response could be provided during the conciliation meeting.” In a press release relayed on Saturday November 9, the SNCF inter-union – the CGT, Unsa, Sud-Rail and CDFT Cheminots – called for an unlimited and renewable strike from Wednesday December 11. They protest against the dismantling of Fret SNCF and the opening to competition.

The SNCF unions had already called, on November 5, for a day of strike, Thursday November 21. They announced it after a meeting with the management of the railway group to discuss the dismantling of Fret SNCF and other company developments.

Fret SNCF, the leading rail freight company in France, will in fact disappear on January 1, 2025 to be reborn in the form of two separate companies, called Hexafret for freight transport and Technis for locomotive maintenance, management announced Monday November 4. This is the second stage of the plan negotiated by the French State with the European Commission to avoid a recovery procedure which could have led to the outright liquidation of the company, which employs 5,000 employees.