SNCF: what is contained in the agreement concluded between the unions and management on the end of career which makes it possible to avoid a strike in May ?

Syndicats et directions ont signé ce lundi 23 avril un accord qui permet un départ à la retraite anticipée. ILLUSTRATION MAXPPP – Vincent Isore

Les nouvelles conditions de départ à la retraite des cheminots ont été définies dans un accord signé ce lundi 23 avril entre les syndicats de la SNCF et la direction.

The four unions representing SNCF signed with management this Monday, April 23, an agreement on the end of the careers of railway workers, which makes it possible to ward off the threat of a new strike by controllers during the May holidays.

After the CGT-Cheminots, the Unsa-Ferroviaire and the CFDT-Cheminots last week, Sud-Rail announced this Monday its intention to sign this agreement after consulting its members, unanimously rare within the public railway group.

A more advantageous device

The agreement provides, among other things, for an improvement in the early retirement system, in particular for railway workers who have held positions with proven arduousness. The latter, which include the drivers, will be able to initiate a  "early cessation of activity" 30 months before their retirement with 15 months worked paid at 100% and 15 months not worked paid at 75%.

For controllers, the system is even more advantageous with a cessation of activity spanning 36 months including 18 months not worked paid at 75%. The agreement allows "to partially offset the harmful effects of the pension reform", declared to the’ ;AFP the federal secretary of Sud-Rail, Erik Meyer. Union members overwhelmingly spoke out in favor of a signature.

A cost still uncertain

Other provisions in the agreement are provided for end-of-career part-time work, paid 10% more than the time actually worked. Management also proposed the creation of an additional seniority level to improve the remuneration of railway workers at the end of their career.

The cost of this new system will depend on the number of employees who will want to benefit from it. It will be put in place from January 1, 2025, but taking into account the procedural deadlines of six months, the files will be able to be examined from next July, specifies Franceinfo.