The Association Française du Rail (AFRA), Alliance 4F, and Groupement National des Transports Combinés (GNTC) have expressed concern regarding ongoing disruptions caused by a local union-led strike involving railway dispatchers.
The strike, which began on April 7, primarily affects operations in key Parisian suburbs including Villemomble, Le Bourget, and Bobigny in Seine-Saint-Denis. This area handles a considerable volume of French rail freight traffic, serving important north-south and east-west long-distance routes.
According to AFRA, Alliance 4F, and GNTC, up to 40% of freight trains experienced substantial timetable and route changes during peak disruption periods, directly impacting service reliability and scheduling for freight operators and their customers.
The AFRA represents alternative rail operators to SNCF, such as DB Cargo France, Captrain France, and Europorte. Alliance 4F brings together major freight rail companies focused on sustainable logistics, while the GNTC covers the combined rail-road transport sector, emphasizing timely and reliable service.
Representatives of these associations have characterized the continued strike as causing instability in freight operations, particularly impacting combined transport sectors sensitive to service quality and punctuality.
Negotiations have encountered further challenges due to additional union demands, including potential financial compensation for strike days. The freight operators emphasize their adherence to labor rights but caution against impacts that may diverge from the intended purpose of industrial action.
In response, SNCF Réseau has mobilized support teams to mitigate disruptions and maintain traffic operations to the extent possible.
