In a joint statement published on May 6, 2026 in Paris, the four unions CGT Cheminots, UNSA Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT Cheminots call for a strike on June 10.
The representative organizations of SNCF employees warn about the lack of progress during the consultations carried out in recent weeks with management. They denounce in particular a policy of reorganisation deemed « anxiogenic », as well as the consequences of the restructurings on working conditions and employees’ health.
The unions mention several areas of concern: job cuts, internal reorganisations, mandated professional mobility and the evolution of the group’s structure through the process of subsidiaryisation.
According to them, these transformations would weaken the social unity of the railway group and could call into question certain historic collective agreements.
The text also highlights wage demands. They ask management to respond to the railway workers’ expectations regarding purchasing power and working conditions.
The representative organizations of SNCF employees warn about the lack of progress during the consultations carried out in recent weeks with management. They denounce in particular a policy of reorganisation deemed « anxiogenic », as well as the consequences of the restructurings on working conditions and employees’ health.
The unions mention several areas of concern: job cuts, internal reorganisations, mandated professional mobility and the evolution of the group’s structure through the process of subsidiaryisation.
According to them, these transformations would weaken the social unity of the railway group and could call into question certain historic collective agreements.
The text also highlights wage demands. They ask management to respond to the railway workers’ expectations regarding purchasing power and working conditions.
Jean Castex: Opening up to competition entails profound changes
Invited to the Travel Industry Congress on Monday, May 4, Jean Castex, President of the SNCF Group, did not hide the substantial transformation program confronting the company: “ Competition pushes us to be more competitive; it is not easy. The situation remains complex.
There is a major HR project in the background, with sustained discussions with the trade unions. We are committed to a transformation logic that must be gradually supported.
Since my arrival in November, there have been no strikes at Christmas nor in February. I hope that the month of May will allow progress in a calmer climate, but that requires constant work. It is a daily battle. Nothing is done by decree and the difficulties are real, all the more so because opening up to competition entails profound changes.”
There is a major HR project in the background, with sustained discussions with the trade unions. We are committed to a transformation logic that must be gradually supported.
Since my arrival in November, there have been no strikes at Christmas nor in February. I hope that the month of May will allow progress in a calmer climate, but that requires constant work. It is a daily battle. Nothing is done by decree and the difficulties are real, all the more so because opening up to competition entails profound changes.”
