Could the notice of a railway workers' strike during the end-of-year holidays compromise the family reunions of many French people? Jean-Pierre Farandou, president of the SNCF group, assured, this Thursday, November 21, that he would “do everything to ensure” that he had trains at Christmas.
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– Jean-Pierre Farandou has been at the helm of SNCF since November 2019.
If the strike movement this Thursday, November 21 promises to be limited to the SNCF, the railway workers' unions have called for a unlimited strike from December 11. They intend to demand an increase in wages and denounce the dismantling of freight, as well as the opening of regional lines to competition. This protest movement therefore risks causing chaos in stations and compromising the travel of many French people.
“Will there be trains at Christmas?” asked journalist Thomas Sotto to the president of the SNCF group, Jean-Pierre Farandou, this Thursday, November 21 on RTL. “We do everything to”then assured the leader. “It’s clear that the French don’t want this strike at Christmas and we understand them”he added. Before explaining: “We proposed 2.2% average increase of railway workers' remuneration for 2025, i.e. 0.7% more than inflation. “This is the fourth year in a row that we have done better than inflation. So, not only are we preserving the purchasing power of railway workers, but we are even improving it. I believe it is a significant effort»he stressed.
SNCF: why not all unions are involved in the November 21 strike
“Social dialogue works at SNCF”
During this interview, Jean-Pierre Farandou also declared that he was committed to “low wages should be treated a little better.” remembering to apply a “minimum wage” within the SNCF located “10% above the minimum wage”. Rail unions have until November 29 to sign wage negotiations. “Social dialogue works at SNCF”estimated the boss of the railway group, who hopes to have the renewable strike notice withdrawn from December 11. “My objective is to create the conditions for demands to be addressed through social dialogue”he added.
Concerning the sensitive subject of freight, a round table is planned for November 27. The unions fear the future transfer of SNCF freight to two subsidiaries: Hexafret for the transport of goods and Techniswhich will be responsible for maintaining the locomotives.
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