Train drivers to strike over reform

Four unions claim SNCF and track maintenance group RFF are pursuing reforms without waiting for parliamentary debate

Published Wednesday 30 November 2016 - 15:53 Modified Wednesday 30 November 2016 - 15:53

Del på Facebook Del på Twitter Del på e-post

TRAIN drivers have called a national strike for December 12 in protest at SNCF reforms.

Four unions, the CGT, Unsa, Sud-Rail and FiRST have called for the strike from 19.00 on December 11 to 8.00 on December 13.

They claim that the SNCF is already trying to implement reforms of the railway system before a parliamentary debate which is scheduled for the beginning of next year.

The unions say that plans to create three new public bodies in 2015, to replace the SNCF and Réseau Ferré de France, which oversees the maintenance of the tracks, will degrade the quality of service.

Plans such as the SNCF’s Excellence 2020 and the RFF’s Réseau 2020 are also not properly financed, according to the unions who fear that the money will come at the expense of the working conditions of drivers.