The SNCF, the French national railway company, has proposed a salary increase of 4.6% on average for its employees in 2024. The agreement also includes a general increase of 1.8%, an increase in low wages so that no worker earns less than the minimum wage, and a value-sharing bonus of 400 euros to be paid to all employees. The CFDT-Cheminots and Unsa-Ferroviaire, two unions representing railway workers, have announced their intention to sign the agreement.

The CFDT-Cheminots announced in a press release that after consulting with members and management structures, they have decided to support the agreement. Unsa-Ferroviaire also stated that they will sign it. These unions represent a combined weight of 42.67% of the votes against 57.33% for the CGT-Cheminots and SUD-Rail, who are opposed to the agreement.

SUD-Rail has already announced its opposition to the agreement and called on SNCF management to reopen negotiations due to what they consider weak proposals. The CGT-Cheminots described the management’s proposals as “indecent and contemptuous” in light of ongoing salary disputes with SNCF management.

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

The proposed salary increase is welcomed by many workers who are hoping for better compensation for their hard work and dedication to their jobs at SNCF