Clément Beaune, the Minister Delegate in charge of Transport spoke about the SNCF strike this Saturday, December 3.
Will there be trains at Christmas? In this period of strike, this is the question that many train users ask themselves. And for good reason, this weekend, the SNCF controllers are demanding an improvement in their working conditions and a salary increase. This movement impacts train traffic and could well last.
1 in 4 TGV runs
1 out of 4 TGVs circulates on average in the country until Monday morning. Transport Minister Clément Beaune speaks from Charles-de-Gaulle airport, reports AFP, quoted by BFM TV “I can’t bring myself to have things written down”, despite the filing of new strike notices for the holiday period, the minister said.
As to whether the strike will continue over Christmas: “We are working in the coming days to avoid this (…) I will do everything at my level, leaving the social dialogue to work”.
The French do not need a difficult moment to be added to a complicated period
“Our country is going through a period that is not easy, with the question of energy, purchasing power, everyone feels it. This is true for employees, including at the SNCF of course”, conceded Clement Beaune. “Of course I hope it will be avoided, I believe that the French do not need us to add a difficult moment to a complicated period”, continued the minister.
Another strike is scheduled for next Wednesday. Notices have also been filed for Christmas and New Year’s weekends.