Although the school holiday period was spared, a new strike is looming on the horizon for the week of 5 to 11 May following notice served by the CGT and Sud Rail unions. The SNCF is attempting to defuse the conflict through a series of negotiations, including the highly strategic May 8th bridge a popular way for the French to get away from it all for a few days. The stakes are high financially, with a day's strike costing the SNCF €20m, especially during a bank holiday.
The unions are complaining that the controllers' schedules have been changed at the last minute, and are demanding a €100 increase in bonuses. SNCF management rejects this demand, pointing to the agreement signed as part of the NAO, the compulsory wage negotiations, based on increases of 2.2% in 2025 and an average increase in staff salaries of 17% over the last four years, i.e. a level higher than inflation. The two trade union federations, on the other hand, justify their demands by the excellent results recorded last year by the rail group, which posted a net profit of 1.6 billion euros.
Last weekend, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot waded into the debate, saying that " the strike was not legitimate" which has put the troops of both unions on edge. A meeting nevertheless took place on Wednesday between SNCF management and representatives of the CGT and Sud Rail in an attempt to find common ground. However, this was not the case, with the unions now announcing " a black week in the face of management intransigence" . During the meeting, the latter proposed a new round of talks next Monday on the issue of work schedules, and working groups until September on the issue of wages. She also pointed out that a profit-sharing bonus of €1,300 would be paid in the next few days.
" We had some hopes of finding solutions for all the ticket inspectors. We also have demands concerning train drivers on 7 May, equipment operatives and commercial operatives." said Fabien Villedieu, the federal secretary of Sud Rail, who criticised the management for " closing all doors "and who can't propose meetings" . He also criticised the Minister for Transport, who supports the firm stance taken by the rail group's management.
Increase in bookings with SNCF's competitors
This prospect of a chaotic week on the TGV and Ouigo is already making the carrier's competitors happy. Ticket sales platform Kombo reported a 50% surge in SNCF ticket cancellations on 8 May, but a 20% increase in sales on Frecciarossa trains from Trenitalia on the axis Paris-Lyonand +25% on bus tickets on the same route and on Paris-Lille for 8 May. Coach operator Flixbus and car-sharing operator Blablacar have also reported a significant increase in bookings for the week of the possible SNCF strike.
