Rail reform: the government undertakes a showdown with SNCF – Le Figaro

VIDEO – Secretary of State for Transport has granted the concessions unions that the president of the company has denied. He assures that he had “never negotiated in the absence of Guillaume Pepy.”

By multiplying concessions, the government could end up turning new discontent homes. In order to curb social unrest to SNCF, the government asked the company railways, public company 100%, to be more conciliatory with the unions in negotiations to reform the organization of time group work. What the president of the company railways, Guillaume Pepy, flatly refused, arguing that it was essential for the group to overhaul its organization of work – and in particular to improve efficiency 35 hours – to make the company more competitive against its competitors

“” SNCF strike. traffic forecasts for Wednesday, June 1

It was enough to revive the rumors of departure that which directs the SNCF since February 2008. noise corridor formally denials Monday afternoon by the group … on his Twitter account. A way to communicate rare for a company of this caliber. “We want, including on sensitive issues, to move the lines of our communication to a faster mode and responds to réactivitié needs, says one within SNCF. The press release is certainly necessary but increasingly dated. “

When contacted by Le Figaro , SNCF declined to say more, merely repeat his message posted on Twitter. Tuesday morning, the Secretary of State for Transport, who has guardianship of the SNCF, has also denied. “He (Guillaume Pepy) has not threatened to resign, assured on France Inter Alain Vidal. There was a debate. SNCF is for the French. ” Why these rumors? The Secretary of State for Transport has continued this weekend, discussions with the CFDT … without Guillaume Pepy. “Fake !, meets Alain Vidal. I never negotiated in the absence of SNCF. There can be no disagreement. ” It is true that Alain Vidal was accompanied by the HRD of the company, Jean-Marc Ambrosini, but he … had no mandate to its management to negotiate anything.

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“It is surprising to see the government take control of social negotiations “

after the meeting, the government and the union have agreed on

keeping the rules inherent in the organization of working time. The status of railway workers (job security, 35-hour partial free train tickets, specific health system, special pension scheme etc.) will not be called into question, as promised by the management. Like two other internal rules, particularly on the issue of rest, Guillaume Pepy that would develop and on which Alain Vidal, in keeping with the strategy to turn off related hotbeds of the labor law has clearly made concessions. According to unions, the number of 22 to Sunday rest should especially be kept private to preserve the balance work-life railway. “This agreement puts an end to two social negotiations. The situation is complex and tense, explains the Le Figaro a source close to the matter. It is surprising to see the government take control of social negotiations. Especially since it was a “weapon” at his disposal. Pedestal decree (on the system of the working time of company staff in the rail transport sector) “

If the concessions granted by the Secretary of State for Transport convinced the CFDT, the fourth representative union at SNCF but the first among drivers, to withdraw its notice of indefinite strike deposited from Tuesday evening, they had however no effect on the UNSA. The second union business, reformist addition, has in fact decided on Monday to join the “protest” of the CGT and SUD-rail. And voted, too, for the indefinite strike that began Tuesday night and that will be the eighth day strike since early March in the train.

The agreement between the government and weakens the CFDT Guillaume Pepy position that hopes up for this defeat socially with a victory on the economic and financial aspect. The recovery of part of the debt of the SNCF (€ 50 billion) by the State would be part of the discussions. Negotiations between the government and SNCF will continue to arrive by 6 June, the date of the next formal negotiation, an agreement. Proof, if needed, that government attempts to extinguish fires at ten days of the launch of the Euro 2016 football may not always be successful …