Jun 07
The regions are refusing to pay the pensions of railway
Surprising as it may seem, the regions now pay the consequences of the reform of the pension system by SNCF, negotiated in 2007 by the government. In exchange for extending their period of contribution, the railroad has received various forms of compensation (new longevity step, time-saving account …) which, in total, cost 80 million per year from their business is up and running.
But part of that premium is now invoiced regions. These are in charge of regional express trains (TER). An activity inherently deficient, the ticket price only covers about one quarter of the charges. The regions "pay" for it so the station continues to operate these small lines. Specifically, the sign with the company elected public multi-year agreements, often over ten years, which regulate these funding issues.And it is anticipated that if, in the meantime, a law or a decree adopted at national level have an impact euro hard cash at the convention, the SNCF and the region shall, by agreement, review the financial conditions . The reform of the pension plan of the station into this framework.
In some regions, such as the Languedoc-Roussillon, the case has not yet been opened. But in others, the overhead of pensions has been included in escalation clauses when signing new contracts. Elected officials, who did not always detected these clauses are now discovering the pot to the roses. "In 2010, the bill for pensions for railroad workers is 3.3 million euros for Aquitaine," said Alain Rousset, President of PS and its Chairman of the Association of Regions of France (ARF). The magnitude is the same for Burgundy."The surcharge, which was 1 million in 2008 and 1.5 million in 2009, will reach 2 million in 2010 and 5 million per year thereafter," says Francois Patriat, Chairman PS Regional Council. The ARF has not yet calculated the total amount of the overcharge for the 22 regions. But there should be several tens of millions of euros.
Action against the State
In absolute terms, the regions where expenses exceed 26 billion could absorb this unexpected bill. Example of Burgundy, the region has an annual budget of 770 million and 200 million per year dedicated to B (50 million for the purchase of trains and 150 million of benefits). But the political context changes everything. The strained relations between local officials and the government. Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a freeze on grants paid by the state to local governments.
And since the reform of business tax, regional councils receive only the taxes they can not adjust the rate. The fact that the state refuses to compensate for the additional areas of pensions of railroad goes very badly. "This pension reform was imposed on us by the government. This would be the State to bear the consequences, "said Francois Patriat. Elected representatives decided to file an appeal before the tribunal to condemn the State. Franche-Comte has done the same. And considering the Aquitaine. "I have enough for the state to discard" protests Alain Rousset.
The success achieved by their counterparts in other departmental areas, protection of children, encourages regional representatives: general advice PS Saone-et-Loire and Seine-Saint-Denis have got the Council of State that the state is condemned for lack of funding.
It is also true that elected officials do not feel size now to renegotiate the terms with the offending station. "We are at an end of major negotiations between the government and the SNCF. The balance of power is not in our favor, "says Alain Rousset.
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