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Empty train tracks at Gare de Lyon, Paris (illustration image). REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes

In France, railway traffic was very disrupted on 19 October, the first day of the All Saints school holidays. Some TGVs have not circulated and many other trains (TER, RER) have been delayed or canceled. Disturbances that continue this October 20th. Railwaymen, who claim at least two agents per train, have been exercising since October 17 a "right of withdrawal" after an accident on board a regional train where the driver was the only staff member on board. For the prime minister, Édouard Philippe, it is a " wildcat strike ".

After the surprise work stoppage of the railway drivers and controllers, the CEO of SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, is considering filing a complaint because he believes that behind this "right of withdrawal" camouflage in fact an illegal strike.

" Validated " exercise

For his part, the federal secretary of Sud-Rail, Érik Meyer, says rather serene: " Several labor inspections in the region have validated the exercise of the" right of withdrawal "as it is implemented today by the agents of the SNCF. It's Pepy's maneuver to try to intimidate the agents and get them back to work. Agents do not choose dates, including the accident that resulted in this "right of withdrawal". For us, today, Guillaume Pepy is in an exercise he knows because it is the same he was able to do last year during the great strike against the railway law where he used, abused his right of business leader by making illegal punctures on agents' wages, and in justice he lost. "

" We are confident because today, the law is on our side , continues Eric Meyer. With the positions of the Prime Minister and Guillaume Pepy, we can see that the partner who does not want to negotiate today is the direction of the SNCF, it is not the trade unions and it is not South-Rail . Side users, many travelers feel aggrieved by the movement. Saturday, October 19, in front of the billboards of this Parisian station, the faces were concentrated. Users seek their train: many are delayed or canceled. Alya Barka part of Geneva in Switzerland, "My TER was canceled, so suddenly I had to take a TGV to Paris. And now there is no more room in the trains. I tried to ask if there was any way to have tickets without a seat, I was told that it is no longer possible .

" Strip of idlers! "

In an attempt to find a solution, users line up to contact the SNCF agents at the counters. Bernard Sobrat comes back disappointed. He is missing a big event: " I have been a grandfather for three hours. I was going home for my little girl, but it's not worth it. Strip of loafers! He says, very angry. For those who manage to find a ticket, the bill is salty, up to four times the price of the original ticket.

But, beyond the financial aspect, it is the unforeseen nature of this mobilization that annoys travelers. Among them, this mother whose son is stuck in Lorient, Brittany: " There is talk of a" right of withdrawal ". When exercising a "right of withdrawal" four days after a problem, it is not a "right of withdrawal". It's a disguised strike. And strangely, the day of the holidays, so it's more efficient. So, we are always held hostage by the employees of the RATP or the SNCF. It's great . For the moment, no compromise has been found between the unions and management.

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