The strike by conductors, led by the SUD-Rail union, is set to conclude on Sunday, May 11, 2025, with little impact on TGV train traffic across France. According to SNCF, the national railway company, minor disruptions are anticipated, with over nine out of ten TGV trains expected to run as scheduled.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, SNCF reported that traffic was ‘slightly disrupted’ during the holiday weekend, with 96% of TGV services operating normally. A spokesperson for SNCF stated, "Transilien (Paris suburban trains), TER (regional trains), and Intercités trains operated normally, and we expect the same for Sunday." This comes as the strike was noted to have a strong mobilization among workers, particularly on Saturday.
Fabien Villedieu from SUD-Rail indicated that over 60% of TGV conductors were on strike on Saturday, with peaks in the Southeast exceeding 66%. Additionally, approximately 50% of TER conductors participated in the strike. Villedieu remarked, "The mobilization was very strong on Saturday, but we expect it to decrease slightly on Sunday." Despite the strike, SNCF had assured travelers that they would be able to reach their destinations as planned.
The strike, which was called by SUD-Rail and the Collectif national ASCT (CNA), aimed to demand an increase in work bonuses and better anticipation of schedules, which the conductors claim are often modified at the last minute. Villedieu emphasized that the strike was not merely a minor inconvenience but a serious expression of workers' demands.
Interestingly, most trains continued to run smoothly due to the deployment of volunteers and company executives who received special training to fill in for striking conductors. However, Villedieu criticized SNCF’s approach, suggesting that the company is attempting to make the strike appear less impactful by enforcing a degraded transport plan. He stated, "The SNCF has sought to make the strike invisible by imposing a degraded transport plan, using single TGV units of 500 people instead of the usual double trains during peak times, which require more conductors."
In early May, Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, noted a significant drop in reservations, stating, "We already have thousands fewer reservations for this May 8th holiday weekend," in anticipation of the strike. This drop in bookings reflects travelers' concerns about potential disruptions.
Looking ahead, SUD-Rail has indicated that a new strike is planned for early June, signaling that tensions between the union and SNCF are far from resolved. The union is expected to assess the situation early next week to determine the next steps in their ongoing campaign for better working conditions.
In addition to the current strike by conductors, the CGT-Cheminots union, which is the leading labor organization at SNCF, has also planned further mobilizations. They have called for a strike on June 4, 2025, specifically for drivers, followed by another on June 5 for all categories of railway workers, and a separate strike on June 11 for controllers. This continuation of strikes indicates a broader discontent among railway workers regarding their working conditions and compensation.
Throughout this period, SNCF Voyageurs has maintained that approximately nine out of ten TER trains and about eight out of ten Transilien trains were operational during the strike. This statistic highlights the company's efforts to minimize the impact of labor disputes on travelers while still addressing the underlying issues raised by the unions.
As the strike draws to a close, the situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for ongoing negotiations. The unions are adamant about their demands for better pay and working conditions, while SNCF is focused on maintaining service levels and addressing customer concerns. The outcome of these discussions could shape the future of labor relations within the French railway system.
In summary, while the strike by conductors is expected to have minimal impact on train services, it underscores significant labor issues within the SNCF. With further strikes planned in the coming weeks, the railway company and its workers are at a crossroads, facing a challenging dialogue over working conditions that could affect the future of rail travel in France.
