This time, no massive train cancellations like last weekend with the controllers' strike, but localized problems.

The conflict mainly affects TERs in several regions (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est, Occitanie and PACA) and certain lines in Ile-de-France (C, D, E and N).

Cancellations are also possible on certain TGVs or Intercités, in particular on the Paris-Lyon axis as well as for all TGVs south of Bordeaux.

The sole purpose of this strike is to "put pressure on the management", assures Cédric Robert, federal secretary of the CGT-Cheminots.

It follows three days of mobilization on July 6, September 29 and October 18, all on the issue of wages.

A first increase had also been granted at the end of the July strike with +3.7% for low salaries and +2.2% for executives, according to management.

Ticket prices

But inflation has not slowed down since, even reaching +6.2% in November over one year.

The CGT therefore requests a salary increase at least equivalent and above all, retroactivity to January 1, 2022.

SNCF employees come to the aid of passengers at Montparnasse station during a strike by SNCF controllers, in Paris on December 2, 2022 © STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP

On the side of SUD-Rail, which predicts "record results" for the SNCF in 2022, we are asking 400 euros gross more per month for everyone.

In the first half, the railway group generated a net profit of 928 million euros.

The CFDT-Cheminots is asking for the retroactivity of the salary measures taken in July to January 1, 2022 and a "13th month for all railway workers".

As for Unsa-Ferroviaire, the only union not calling for a strike, it wants to see wages increase by at least 5%.

"Be careful, if wages increase too much, ticket prices will eventually increase too. It's a cost, the payroll," warned group CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou last Thursday.

He called for "finding a balance between ticket prices on the one hand, increasing the number of railway workers on the other", but also "having the resources to innovate and to invest".

"We ask that there be very clear announcements on a general increase in wages and work bonuses" from Wednesday, insisted Cédric Robert of the CGT.

"If we go out without an announcement of this type, (management) will complicate things in terms of the social climate," he warned.

Pensions in the background

The climate was already very tense within the company, since the controllers threaten to strike on Christmas and New Year weekends. They will also be received on Thursday to avoid such a scenario.

Travelers wait on a platform at Montparnasse station before boarding a train during a strike by SNCF controllers, in Paris on December 2, 2022 © STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP

Switchmen are also due to sit down with management on Friday.

They demand recruitment and a salary more in line with their responsibilities.

After a first strike threat not carried out on May 25, they had obtained the recruitment of 200 additional traffic officers, a bonus of 600 euros and a temporary increase of 20% of their work bonus for seven months.

The company "has not kept its commitments", however, believes Erik Meyer of SUD-Rail.

A strike notice was therefore again filed, this time from December 15 to 19, for the first weekend of the end-of-year holidays.

To make matters worse, the prospect of pension reform, which should be presented around December 15 by the government, is heating up the unions.

"We will be up against this reform, as we had been during the last sequence of 2019-2020", insisted Cédric Robert, recalling the 58 days of strike which had then paralyzed the SNCF.

© 2022 AFP