Rail unions set to strike over reform

TWO RAILWAY unions have signalled their intention to strike next week in protest against rail reform proposals.

Members of the CGT and SUD-Rail unions are set to walkout for 24 hours on Tuesday evening, though some travel disruption is possible from today. They may be joined by colleagues from a third union, Unsa, which has requested “immediate consultation”, prior to any filing of notice of strike.

Unsa said it would make its decision this afternoon.

Union officials will meet transport minister Frédéric Cuvillier on June 12 to discuss rail reform, a few days before the matter is due to be discussed in the National Assembly.

The bill, which has its first reading in the Assembly on June 17, 18, and 19, proposes reorganising both SNCF and Réseau Ferré de France to stabilise the railway sector’s debt.

But unions believe that the plan will not solve the debt issue. They also argue that it does not go far enough in reunifying the two companies, which were separated in 1997.