The tone is harsh, the mine severe.
"
At Christmas, we don't go on strike, we make a truce
", hammered the government spokesperson, Olivier Véran, at the microphone of France Inter, Wednesday, December 21.
A few days before the Christmas weekend, the SNCF warned that only two out of three trains would circulate, due to the controllers' strike action.
Since then, the testimonies of users who no longer have the means to join their families have multiplied.
“
I do not question either the right to strike or the right of employees to demonstrate or to mobilize,
assured the one who is also Minister Delegate in charge of Democratic Renewal.
But frankly, is it essential to strike on a Christmas weekend?
The answer is no.
»
"Fuel on the fire"
For Olivier Véran, the demands of the collective behind this social movement can also be questioned.
"
In a little less than two years, there will have been almost a 12% salary increase for these people who are on strike today
", explained the minister, specifying that he did not want to "
put oil on the fire
”.
Without depriving themselves of sending a message to the strikers, assuring them that “
it is never too late to give up
” and inviting them to “
reconsider their positions
”.
Read alsoStrikes: plane, train… What awaits travelers at Christmas
On Wednesday, the SNCF announced to reimburse canceled tickets up to 200% of their original price.
A welcome consolation but far from sufficient.
"
If there are people who are really deprived of being able to have Christmas with their family, I'm not sure that makes up for it
," sighed Olivier Véran.
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