A social movement is affecting traffic in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. SNCF employees are protesting against the privatization of two regional lines.
“Following a regional social movement from Wednesday, October 13, 8 p.m. to Friday, October 15, 8 a.m., train circulation may be disrupted on certain lines in the Region,” announced the SNCF.
On October 29, the region might entrust the Nice-Marseille route to the Transdev group, which represents 10% of regional traffic.
If the region decides to open the market to competition, the unions fear job cuts.
Indeed, according to the CGT, this change could lead to the loss of 260 jobs. Therefore, the railway workers have decided to strike and protest against the privatization of two railway lines in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
“A Virtuous Cycle”
“The opening to competition represents a unique opportunity for our territory. Thanks to it, the train service will be doubled on the Marseille-Toulon-Nice line and increased by 75% on the Azurian star, all at an equivalent price for the Region,” states Renaud Muselier, the president of the regional council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, in a press release.
While Renaud Muselier sees the situation as “a virtuous cycle,” this view is not shared by the railway workers as another strike is planned for Friday, October 29.
