Pensions: all SNCF unions call for a renewable strike from March 7

The protest movement against the pension reform is hardening. All the representative unions of the SNCF are now calling for a renewable strike, from March 7. The CFDT-Cheminots, the fourth union of the SNCF, indeed announced on Monday to join the CGT-Cheminots, the Unsa-Ferroviaire and SUD-Rail, already in the movement.

The four main unions of the public group have agreed to toughen up the movement, as had also already been announced on February 11 by all of the union organizations representing the RATP, which also called for a movement renewable on the same date.

Put “France on hold” on March 7

France’s eight main trade unions and five youth organizations last week reaffirmed their desire to bring “France to a standstill” on March 7, promising to make the date the biggest day of strikes and protests since the first, last January 19.

At the SNCF, the unions want to regain control, after the very confused movement of last December, when a “collective” of controllers called a surprise strike, refusing to express themselves publicly other than via a Facebook page and nevertheless being represented by the official trade union organizations at the negotiating table. But the terms of the conflict have apparently divided the “reformist” unions and the others.

A shared topic

Before launching its watchword, the CFDT thus surveyed its base, through a consultation launched with its members. “More than 80% are in favor of a renewable strike,” she revealed on Monday. Until now, the 24-hour strike movements launched at the SNCF on the subject of pensions have given the trade unions pause, with a very steady decline in the rate of strikers.

Retirement is nevertheless a promising subject because it is shared throughout the company, with however a notable difference between the former still benefiting from the status (90% of the workforce at the time of the vote on the law on the subject) and the staff hired under the general scheme from January 2020.

Train drivers benefit from arrangements for their cessation of activity, due to the special regime which follows its course throughout their career. In theory, they can retire at 50 or 52 depending on their year of birth, but in reality, the average retirement age is more like 54, due to discounts.

In addition, the government announced Friday a plan of 100 billion in the railway by 2040, of which a good part returning to the communities. But these announcements, long awaited by the CEO of SNCF, have not undermined union unity on the subject of pensions.