SNCF Unions Reach Wage Agreement: Two Out of Four Unite

The railway unions, CFDT-Cheminots and Unsa-Ferroviaire, have announced their intention to sign the SNCF’s proposed agreement to increase salaries by an average of 4.6% in 2024. The agreement includes a 1.8% general increase, as well as a commitment to raise low wages so that none are below the minimum wage of 1.1 euros and a value-sharing bonus of 400 euros for over 140,000 railway workers.

The CFDT-Cheminots stated in a press release that after consulting with members and management structures, they are clear in their decision to sign the agreement. Unsa-Ferroviaire also announced its support for the agreement. However, two reformist unions, SUD-Rail and CGT-Cheminots, represent 57.33% of the votes against 42.67% for these two unions who are opposed to the agreement.

SUD-Rail has called on SNCF management to reopen negotiations due to the weakness of their proposals and has announced its intention to build a powerful mobilization on the subject of wages. The CGT-Cheminots described the management’s proposals as “indecent and contemptuous” in view of the accumulated salary dispute.

The unions have until November 22 to sign the agreement, but without a majority, the SNCF did not ensure that it would be applied in its entirety last year only CFDT-Cheminots signed it but despite lack of majority SNCF applied planned measures.