The SNCF promises a clear improvement in rail traffic on Monday, with limited disruption to the TER and Intercités, without the conflict between unions and management on "security problems" is resolved.
Ouigo trains, whose traffic was very disrupted during the weekend, "will circulate normally", as well as the TGV, according to the forecasts communicated by the SNCF Sunday evening. Normal circulation also on all lines of the Transilien network. Only the TER, with three trains out of four, and the Intercités (two trains out of three) will continue to be impacted, on the fourth day of this fight between unions and management around the "right of withdrawal".
The president of the SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, recalled Sunday evening on Franceinfo that the tickets would be refunded "100%", specifying that it also concerned those normally non refundable. He announced the rapid establishment of a compensation fund of one million euros for travelers who suffered "exceptional damage", including those who had to buy other tickets or to stay in the hotel.
The security conditions pointed out
At the origin of the movement, an accident occurred Wednesday night, when a TER connecting Charleville-Mezieres to Reims hit an exceptional road convoy stuck on a level crossing in the Ardennes, making 11 wounded including hospitalized. The driver, who rescued passengers while he himself was injured, was the only SNCF agent on the train. Unions question this mode of operation, which allows for the circulation of trains without a controller, suggesting security risks for travelers. They also point to safety issues specific to the accident craft, a high capacity railcar (MLS).
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Surprise strike or right of withdrawal?
At a meeting in the night from Friday to Saturday, the management put on the table three proposals that did not satisfy the trade unions: modification of "some equipment" of the AGC; setting up working groups on safety procedures "in the coming days" and "acceleration" of recruitments, Guillaume Pepy summarized on Saturday. He also denounced a "surprise strike that does not respect the law", since the SNCF notice is required.
For the unions, on the contrary, it is a right of withdrawal, a procedure exercised by an employee when he considers that his work situation poses a grave and imminent danger to his life and health, or if he notes a defect in the protection systems.