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How to roll your trains when the controllers are on strike, the SNCF has a secret boot, the VAOs for occasional accompanying volunteers. A very discreet brigade, made up of executives, and paid at gold prices to make strikes almost invisible.
At the exit of the offices, it is impossible to know who at the SNCF is part of this brigade, even between colleagues the subject is taboo. Yet they would be several 100 values of vao.un Discreet, but formidably effective device. In the event of a social conflict, they can board TGVs to replace the striking controllers.
On May 9, in the middle of strike, 60 % of the controllers were on the work stoppage. Yet, 9 TGV out of 10 circulated normally. A performance made possible thanks to the mobilization of VAOs. They work pLutary in offices, some are executives in marketing or finance And to have the right to put on the costume for a strike, they underwent training. 7 days no more, to be able to manage the safety of a TGV and replace the controllers formed in 4 months.
Asked under the cover of anonymity, one of them ensures:
“VAOs do not act against strikers, but for customers. It is not a matter of money, it is a commitment. When you invest as Vao, I can assure you that the primary motivation is not a pecuniary motivation in anything. ”
According to internal documents at the SNCF, VAOs receive bonuses ranging from 30 to 50 euros an houragainst About 5 euros for business controllers. To this are sometimes added Exceptional premiumsbeing able to 400 euros by mission.
A tidy sum that makes the real controllers jump very far from being paid as well. 2 controllers demonstrate us with a Paris Nice round trip on Sunday and Monday holidays. “For 15 hours of service, a VAO can receive 750 euros. A controller, only 75 euros. It’s ten times more, ”says a Sud Rail trade unionist
A legal practice according to the SNCF
Contacted, the management of the SNCF recalls that The use of VAOs is perfectly legalAs long as they are not outdoor staff.
“The replacement of striking employees is supervised by the Labor Code. The employer is not prohibited from reorganizing his activity with his own employees. »»
Faced with this strategy, the Sud Rail union plans to adapt its response: now, strike notice will be filed at the last momentOnly 5 days before the date of the strike, to prevent management from having time to organize its replacement battalion.
Among us, we care:
Documents internal to the SNCF
Labor code: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/legiarti00000690199
