Rail workers across France went on strike today, causing severe disruption to services just days before the start of the summer holidays and at a time of social unrest in other sectors of the economy as high inflation gnaws away the wages.
Three of the four largest unions at SNCF, France’s state-owned railways, joined the strike. As a result, a third of long-distance and regional routes were cancelled. Commuter services in Paris were also affected, as well as some of the high-speed TGV trains.
The strike was only for today, but there could be further action in the summer as unions say the pay rises proposed by SNCF management are insufficient. “We will consult our members. Most likely we will not stop here. There may be more strikes this summer to bring management back to the negotiating table,” said Eric Meyer of the Sud-Rail union, speaking to Reuters agency.
SNCF proposed increases ranging from 2.2% for management staff to 3.7% for new hires. The CGT Cheminots union called this proposal “obscene”, recalling that inflation is expected to exceed 8% by the end of the year.
Travelers, for their part, did not hide their irritation.
“I’m sure there are requests and I respect them. But at the same time they have to respect people’s time and plans,” said an American, Reza Teraxani, whose itinerary was canceled.
The tense climate in society, following strikes in the energy sector and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport, is a challenge for President Emmanuel Macron, whose government no longer has an absolute majority in parliament. Inflation in France reached 6.% in June, driven by a rise in food and energy prices. The government is preparing to introduce a bill this week to tackle high inflation. Rail workers’ unions are calling for increases in line with inflation, an increase in the minimum wage and higher bonuses to cover increases in product prices.
SOURCE: APE-ME
Source: Capital
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