By Replacing Strikers with Volunteers, Is SNCF a Strike Breaker?

The sub-prefect of the Thionville district, Philippe Deschamps, triggered a wave of reactions, relayed by many media, using his professional Facebook account to castigate the SNCF and compare the work done by a flight attendant of the national company with that of a controller of Trenitalia. He admits having done something stupid.

As the SNCF (French National Railway Company) calls for volunteers to ensure service continuity during industrial action, the strategy is sparking debate. This practice raises questions about its scope and consequences for the right to strike in the public company.

During the controllers' strike in early May, SNCF used voluntary managers to replace the absent strikers. A process that worked very well, and which should be reused by the company. But is this really legal?