SUD Rail Strikes as Wage Negotiations Open: News Digest

A SUD Rail strike affects train travel today, higher taxi fares will be introduced across France, the British bank HSBC has agreed to a multimillion-euro settlement, and farmers have continued to protest over the Mercosur trade deal have caused major disruption. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week. 

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SUD Rail Strikes as Wage Negotiations Open

SUD Rail, a major rail union, held a one-day strike today to coincide with the start of annual pay negotiations with SNCF management. The talks come after a tense year marked by several largely low-impact strikes. SNCF, now led by former prime minister Jean Castex, reported €2 billion in annual profits and announced a €400 staff bonus in December 2025. SUD Rail is demanding a €400 monthly pay rise for all workers and a 13th month’s salary, arguing the cost is affordable and justified by a 13% rise in ticket prices.

New Taxi Fares Introduced Across France

Baseline taxi fares in France have been increased for 2026, with regulated rates set by the government that apply to licensed taxis (not apps like Uber). From February 1, drivers can charge a maximum €4.48 initial fee, €1.30 per kilometre and up to €42.15 per hour, while the minimum fare stays at €8; surcharges may apply for night travel, long or out-of-zone journeys and bookings. 

Local extra charges will vary by city. For example, Lyon taxis can add up to €4 for bookings, Nice up to €4, and Paris up to €7 plus a fee per extra passenger. Fixed airport fares will be set at €56–€65 for trips between Charles de Gaulle and central Paris, with similar flat rates in place for journeys from Nice Côte d’Azur airport into the city and surrounding areas.

HSBC to Pay €267.5M Fine in French Tax Fraud Case

The British bank HSBC has agreed to pay a €267.5 million fine to settle a French tax fraud investigation linked to alleged dividend‑tax avoidance carried out by its Paris unit between 2014 and 2019. The settlement was approved by a Paris court and allows HSBC to avoid further prosecution, without the bank admitting any wrongdoing. 

The case is part of a broader inquiry into similar schemes used by several major banks across Europe. Authorities have been targeting complex tax arrangements that allegedly allowed banks to reduce or evade dividend taxes, and the HSBC settlement marks one of the largest fines imposed in France for this type of financial malpractice.

Farming Protests Continue over Mercosur Trade Deal

French farmers have continued to protest over the EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement, despite France’s formal opposition to the deal on 9 January, which still secured enough support from other EU states to move forward. Demonstrations and blockades by tractor convoys have continued across the country, reflecting the widespread anger among agricultural producers that cheaper South American imports could undermine their livelihoods.