SNCF Strike Over Freight Dismantling Leads to Limited Disruptions

French rail unions protest the dismantling of Fret SNCF, but Thursday's strike sees low participation and minimal impact on train services.

The strike on November 21, called by all major SNCF unions, protests the dismantling of Fret SNCF, a freight subsidiary set to be replaced by Hexafret and Technis in January 2025.
The dismantling follows a European Commission ruling on illegal state aid, requiring SNCF to restructure and divest part of its freight operations.
Thursday's strike has limited participation, with TGV services running nearly normally and only minor disruptions on regional TER and Intercités lines.
Unions demand a moratorium on the dismantling, citing concerns over privatization, job security, and environmental impacts from reduced rail freight capacity.
Unions warn of a potentially more disruptive reconductible strike starting December 11, raising concerns about holiday travel disruptions if demands remain unmet.