Philippe Tabarot, the French Minister of Transport, has voiced strong opposition to SNCF conceding additional funds to unions amid a looming strike over the May 8 holiday weekend.

The strike, initiated by the SUD-Rail union, is scheduled for May 9, 10, and 11, with support from the influential CNA controllers' collective and the CGT-Cheminots union mobilizing from May 5, primarily over salary issues.

Controllers are striking due to grievances related to unpredictable scheduling and demands for a €100 monthly increase in work bonuses.

Tabarot criticized these reasons as insufficient to justify the disruption, particularly during important family weekends.

He described the strike as stemming from internal SNCF issues, suggesting that the reasons do not warrant causing chaos during crucial holiday periods.

Furthermore, Tabarot pointed out that the controllers have received significant pay increases of 17-18% over the past three years, contradicting claims of mistreatment.

He emphasized that other SNCF personnel face more significant burdens and called for continued social dialogue to resolve the situation before the strikes commence.

Tabarot urged both SNCF management and labor unions to engage in discussions to resolve these issues before the week of May 5.

While expressing hope for a resolution through social dialogue, he warned that if necessary, the Senate's proposed law limiting strike days for transport personnel might need to be reconsidered.

This proposed law, which passed in the Senate in April 2024, aimed to limit the right to strike for transport workers during certain periods but has not progressed in the National Assembly.

Tabarot urged strike leaders to consider the broader implications of their actions on the public, especially during significant family weekends.

He asserted that he would not intervene to force a costly resolution, as doing so would validate the use of strikes as a bargaining tool.