French rail unions call for indefinite strike ahead of Christmas

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Trade unions at France’s railway operator SNCF on Saturday called for an indefinite strike that could hamper train services during the Christmas holidays.

A joint statement by the CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail, and CFDT-Cheminots unions said the action would begin on Dec. 11, with additional shorter strikes planned from Nov. 20-22.

The call is meant to protest the government's restructuring plan for SNCF's freight division, the SNCF Fret, and against opening up regional lines to competition.