SNCF chief Guillaume Pepi estimates the cost of rolling strikes on French railways at "over 300 million euros", but said it was unlikely the strikes would extend into the summer.
For its part, the CFDT, which took part today in a meeting on SNCF reform at the Ministry of Transport, spoke cautiously after its conclusion about an "exchange of views that could be considered a negotiation" with the French government.
The French railway workers, who are protesting against the abolition of the special employment regime that guarantees lifelong employment and early retirement, have been holding a marathon strike since the beginning of April, including a two-day work stoppage every five days until the end of June.