On January 13, 2026, the annual salary negotiations will take place at SNCF, and Sud Rail is determined to stand firm. The union has filed a strike notice affecting conductors and ticket inspectors for this critical day when the mandatory yearly negotiations (NAO) will be held for the railway group. It's a strategic date for the union to press the management and push for a general increase of 400 euros per month for all railway workers.
Since taking the helm of SNCF at the beginning of November 2025, Jean Castex has made several conciliatory gestures towards the unions to prevent any industrial action, especially as the year comes to a close. The CEO announced a bonus of 400 euros shared among employees to be included in December's paycheck, aiming to support staff purchasing power and to anticipate favorable economic results for 2025, which are expected to be positive with a net profit of 950 million euros in the first half. The group also confirmed the extension of social agreements across its numerous subsidiaries created under the open market policy, and scheduled the annual negotiations for January 13th.
However, for Sud Rail, these measures simply don't cut it. In a statement circulated among employees, the union brands this bonus as a "joke" and insists that "it changes nothing." The union points to the group's impressive financial results: while SNCF is expected to report profits of over 2 billion euros for 2025, this one-time bonus is seen as grossly inadequate. Sud Rail emphasizes a clear goal: demanding a nationwide pay increase of 400 euros per month. According to their calculations, implementing such a measure would cost around 1.2 billion euros for the group—a figure they consider "manageable" given the company's profit margins.
The strike notice filed by Sud Rail does not affect all railway workers but specifically targets train conductors and ticket inspectors, two critical groups essential to the operation of train services. The new president's positive statements will only reassure these workers if tangible progress is achieved. In their statement, they emphasize: "We are not expecting quick fix measures in 2026, but a fundamental shift in SNCF's salary policy."
Sud Rail stands alone in demanding a flat-rate increase of 400 euros per month, a measure that aims to avoid widening the gaps within the salary hierarchy. The union argues that, despite recent annual raises keeping pace with inflation, the overall purchasing power of railway workers has not improved, as consumer prices remain 13% higher than they were in September 2021.
For now, only Sud Rail has officially filed a strike notice for January 13. However, the situation could change swiftly. The CGT Cheminots has invited the Unsa, Sud Rail, and CFDT unions to meet and work towards establishing a joint platform. If successful, this could lead to a united front among the unions, significantly boosting their bargaining power during January negotiations.
The CGT also aims to prioritize wage issues in the upcoming discussions and is openly considering the possibility of a nationwide strike across all services. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether other unions will join the movement initiated by Sud Rail.
Good news for those planning holiday travel: unlike previous years, which were marred by frequent disruptions during this busy season, the situation remains calm for Christmas 2025. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot celebrates the smooth conditions at SNCF. The numbers speak for themselves, with 5 million train tickets sold for the Christmas holidays, reflecting travelers' confidence in the reliability of the service.
This temporary lull during the holiday season can largely be attributed to Jean Castex’s strategy of making numerous social announcements before the break. Delaying the conflict until mid-January helps prevent the transportation network from grinding to a halt during one of the busiest times of the year. In short, you can enjoy your Christmas holiday with peace of mind, knowing your travel plans are less likely to be disrupted. However, if you’re planning to travel early in January, it’s advised to keep a close eye on how the announced social movement develops.
To stay updated on transportation news and anticipate potential disruptions, make sure to regularly check the official SNCF website, which provides traffic forecasts. Union sites such as Sud Rail or CGT Cheminots also offer updates on upcoming social movements. The situation is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks, as January 13 approaches—a pivotal day that could greatly influence the future of the railway group's wage policies.
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