SNCF cuts corners to avoid a controller strike over the February holiday weekend

Mine clearance operations. SNCF’s CEO, Jean-Pierre Ferrandeau, planned to invite unions to a round table in early March after the presentation of financial results for the year 2023. Finally, he received them for three hours on Thursday. This is because it takes the threat of a strike by controllers over the winter holiday weekend (February 16 to 18) very seriously. Notices were filed by three of the four unions (CGT-Caminotes, Sud-Rail and CFDT-Caminotes).

An elderly railway woman boss vividly remembers the social movement led by the same class of workers during the 2022 Christmas holidays that left 200,000 people on the platform due to the cancellation of hundreds of trains. If the controllers say they are ready to put down their bags, it is because they believe the promises made at the end of the last conflict (better pay, recruitment and discussions on tougher and end-of-career arrangements) have not been fulfilled. held ” The management tried to assure us that it was implementing the measures promised in December 2022 but face to face, we gave them examples of many cases or places where this was not the case. », explained Eric Meyer, Federal Secretary of Southern Rail, on Wednesday.

A position that Jean-Pierre Ferrandou does not share: “ Commitments made to captains (editor’s note, controllers) are kept. He forcefully asserted Thursday afternoon. Only, these steps are not immediately necessary. Thus, the demand to have two controllers per TGV is 87% satisfied today. It will increase to 92% this year and 100% in 2025. Similarly, on Wednesday, SNCF Voyageurs announced the hiring of 200 additional controllers in addition to the 653 previously planned for this year.

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Housing allowance is increasing

To avoid the threat of social conflict, Jean-Pierre Ferrandou announced other measures that would benefit the controllers and all SNCF agents. “I decided to pay an extra 400 euros to recognize the work of the railway workers», underlines the public group boss. This extraordinary bonus, which will be paid in March, is added to another 400 euros paid in December because of the company’s good performance. The accommodation allowance paid to railway employees living in places where accommodation is expensive will be enhanced. ” In Ile-de-France, it will be at least 100 euros per month. The move will affect 77,000 railway employees », suggests Jean-Pierre Ferrandou. Finally, 3,000 additional promotions will be given with increments between 2% and 4%.

Will this be enough to avoid strikes during the school holidays? It’s a little early to tell. ” Agents have to measure whether what is proposed is consistent with their expectations “, we estimate on CGT-Caminotes. CFDT-Caminotes, which has welcomed the new hiring pledges, is also waiting to consult its members before deciding on the removal of the notice period. We imagine Jean-Pierre Ferrandou is impatiently awaiting their response. While he wants to stay on as head of the SNCF, the social movement will detract from his otherwise rather favorable record.