SNCF strike: Olivier Véran asks the strikers "to give up" and "to hear" the French

Europe 1 with AFP 6:10 p.m., December 22, 2022, modified at 6:10 p.m., December 22, 2022

Government spokesman Olivier Véran on Thursday asked SNCF agents "who announced they wanted to strike" this weekend to "give it up" and "to hear the legitimate request of the French to be able to find their families in good conditions".

“The whole government is fully mobilized”, he added at the end of the Council of Ministers, recalling “that substantial salary increases have already been announced”.

"We invite in the first place those who have announced that they want to strike to give up, to allow the French who are absolutely not responsible for anything in the matter to enjoy the Christmas holidays with their families", insisted Olivier Veran.

Two out of five TGVs should be canceled this weekend, according to SNCF forecasts.

>> READ ALSO -

The SNCF will reimburse 200% of the tickets canceled because of the strike

“We need ways of thinking that are new”

Since November, the public company has been struggling to establish a dialogue with a collective of controllers at the origin of this social movement, who reject any connection with the unions, even if they had to rely on the latter to file notices .

"Faced with a situation that is new, we need to have new ways of thinking, because we are facing something that did not exist in our country", added Olivier Véran, describing "a 'multi strike -individual' covered by a notice filed by the centrals which, themselves, do not call for a strike".

"It invites us to reflect on the framework to ensure continuity of access to public services in our country in all circumstances," he said, without providing details.

Regarding the New Year weekend, which could also be subject to disruption, "announcements will be made in the coming days", said the government spokesperson, assuring "work to ensure that there will be no inconvenience for the French for the weekend of the 31st".