“The most tiresome is the repetitive nature. We are constantly being held hostageFabien screeches, sitting on a bench at Saint-Lazare station (8th arrondissement), suitcase between his legs. Like him, thousands of French people are facing a new social movement by the French railway company. This time, it was the supervisors who decided to stop work for the entire weekend, demanding better recognition of their status. As a result, only four out of ten trains can run.
- Prime Macron 2022: terms, amount, payment date… how it works?
Fatigue clearly dominates on the user’s side. “We don’t even know why they’re on strike already“Adds the forties, rubbing his gray beard. According to him, the railwaymen would do betterto set the train freeexpress their demands. A few meters away, Gwen, her nose hanging from a bulletin board, is caustic;SNCF is a Christmas tradition, there are strikes every yearYellow laughs.
Supervisors want to express their displeasure despite management’s efforts. growth”EUR 600 per year working bonus for all skippers“and its integration”partial fixed salary in 2024“as well as other benefits offered by management.”are going in the right directionSUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots wrote in a press release. Still, unions are hurtingthe answers about the recognition of the profession and its valuation“as well as suggestions”on career development that were not considered satisfactory by the relevant officials“.
The difficult search for a spare ticket
Another station but same atmosphere at Montparnasse (14th). The Atlantic axis is the most affected by the cancellations, with only one in four trains running. For the few passengers present in the hall, getting the ticket was a struggle and a lot of stress. “ On Wednesday, I found out that my ticket to Ren was cancelled. I spent the next 24 hours refreshing the SNCF website until a seat became available“points Christine, who is going to spend the weekend with her family.
Not far from him, sitting at the foot of the pillar with his head in his novel, Marine was less fortunate.I was supposed to return home to Saint-Nazaire, but I found out yesterday that my ticket was cancelled“, he explains. Despite his attempts, he could not find an adequate ticket.I can go all the way to Le Mans. I will spend the night there and continue on my way tomorrow“.
Download train image
Environmentally, Allen is particularly concerned with the image that frequent social movements give to this low-polluting mode of transportation. An asset that SNCF has regularly highlighted for some time. “This puts many French people at risk from traveling by train for the end-of-year celebrationssays Brestois. He himself, moreover, made a choice to go by car to join his family in the south of France. “I hope to do it with an electric car, waiting for them to deliver it to me“, he insists almost apologetically.
Accustomed to these social movements, some users have learned to settle for small promotions. If he finds them hittingcome back very oftenChristine emphasizes that the group has significantly improved communication. “Ten years ago we arrived at the station not knowing if we would be able to leave. Now we have information from a few days ago“.
Source: Le Figaro
I’m Liza Grey, an experienced news writer and author at the Buna Times. I specialize in writing about economic issues, with a focus on uncovering stories that have a positive impact on society. With over seven years of experience in the news industry, I am highly knowledgeable about current events and the ways in which they affect our daily lives.