France
Numerous train cancellations due to striking inspectors in France
A strike by controllers in France has caused numerous train cancellations and disruptions to rail traffic for the third day in a row. The French railway company SNCF canceled 60 percent of its train connections on Sunday – as on Friday and Saturday.
A strike by controllers in France has caused numerous train cancellations and disruptions to rail traffic for the third day in a row. The French railway company SNCF canceled 60 percent of its train connections on Sunday – as on Friday and Saturday. (archive image)
For both the TGV high-speed trains and regional trains, only four out of ten trains were running, an SNCF spokesman confirmed to the AFP news agency.
The approximately 10,000 inspectors are not only responsible for checking tickets, but also for passenger safety. That’s why the trains can’t run without them.
An SNCF spokesman announced a “gradual return to normal” for the last day of the strike on Monday. Three out of four TGV trains should then run again. From Tuesday, rail traffic should be back to normal.
A collective had called for the strike, and several unions are supporting the protest movement. In order to increase the pressure on SNCF shortly before the upcoming salary negotiations, the unions are already warning of strikes on the Christmas and New Year’s weekends. The SNCF leadership announced new meetings with unions and inspectors.
(SDA)