Why are controllers being called to mobilize this weekend?

Major disruptions are expected from Friday to Sunday, in the middle of the winter holidays, with one in two trains running on the TGV and Intercites lines, according to the railway company.

Many travelers who plan to take the train, the weekend promises to be complicated. SNCF controllers are called to strike on Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February, the middle of the winter school holidays in Zone C (Ile-de-France and Occitanie) and the start of Zone A (Nouvelle-Aquitaine). , Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Burgundy-Franche-Comté). On the TGV and Intercités lines, according to the company, only one of the two trains will run, ensuring that journeys to the Alps will be spared. It is committed to maintaining 85% of journeys booked as part of its service for children traveling without their families.

Strikers say they are driven by “Willingness to see conflict to end if management does not accept”, SUD-Rail representative, Francinfo Fabian explained on Tuesday at Villedieu. His union, along with the CGT Caminos, has filed a strike notice that extends from Thursday, 8 p.m., to Monday, 8 a.m. But the initiative for this movement actually comes from the ASCT National Collective (CNA). Which was created on Facebook outside of any union frameworkAnd was original of the previous social movement at the end of 2022.

Desire for an additional 500 euros in bonus

It is precisely on the subject of promises made by management at the time that this collective is regrouping. According to opponents, the content of the exit agreement that was concluded was not implemented on many issues. In contrast, the Minister of Transport, Patrice Vergrit, he said “surprise” Of this strike, the CEO of SNCF Voyageurs Judged her “impossible”Tuesday morning.

“The company’s commitments that were made in December 2022 have been fulfilled.”

Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs

at franceinfo

However, the company admitted that not all measures have been successful yet. “Measures as a result of the agreement reached at the end of 2022 – all have been initiated, they are almost all multi-annual, so we must confirm them over time”Earlier in the month the company’s HR director, Lucille Quesart, underlined to AFP.

Specific bonuses for crew chiefs include an increase from 600 to 720 euros per year, as well as a pay increase for drivers mentioned in the emergency resolution text. Got captain (another name for controllers). “500 euros monthly over two years”, Christophe Fanichet insisted on Wednesday. For their part, the unions and the CNA are demanding an increase of 500 euros in the work bonus and they are not satisfied with it. Bonus payment of 400 euros To all railway workers, 1st March.

Claims about hardship and career end

This bonus is in addition to another bonus, of 400 euros, already paid out last December, as well as 1,200 euros of profit-sharing planned for the spring. “If we achieve an overall monthly increase of 150 to 200 euros, we will be able to avoid this strike”assures Fabian Villedieu of SUD-Rail on BFMTV. But for opponents, the benefit should come through revaluation of basic pay and not through bonuses. “The controller is not complaining about his salary, but about the fact that 40% of it is made up of bonuses, which are not taken into account in the calculation of retirement”explains Olivier, a controlling member of the CNA the world.

Apart from these financial demands, questions regarding the extension of gradual cessation of activity (CPA), which was to be discussed, have not yet been addressed. Condemns the interest-rail. This system allows employees to gradually stop working before retiring. On this issue, the union is demanding a CPA system of 78 months or six and a half years. It must happen “Erase Harmful Effects of Gradual Pension Reforms”.

Regulators also want to have access to the Professional Prevention Account (C2P), which “Allows you to accumulate points convertible into quarters” to leave “early retired” and in “Better financial position”. According to him, the constraints connected with his activities are not sufficiently taken into account in the calculation of his pension.

Expectations regarding recruitment of controllers

SNCF eventually a “Very Firm Commitment”Remembered Fabian Villedieu, “In terms of support, especially for the TGV of the two controllers. This commitment was supposed to be firm from 2023. It was not honoured.” Agreement “At 87%, it will be 92% at the end of 2024 and 100% in 2025”, for his part argued Jean-Pierre Ferrandau during a press point after a meeting with unions on Thursday. The agreement reached in late 2022 also provided for the hiring of 200 additional controllers in 2023. The management announced on February 8 the recruitment of 1,100 additional railway workers on permanent contracts, including 200 controllers.

In addition to these proposals, SNCF has put on the table a housing allowance for railway workers who live in areas where the real estate market is under stress, along with 3,000 additional promotions for the year 2024. “They give, the better, we take it, but the controllers don’t demand it”, vacated Fabien Villedieu on Tuesday on BFMTV. Winter holidays are an example of dialogue between the management of a railway company and some of its railway workers which has become almost impossible.