A volunteer firefighter from the Cerbère fire station in the Pyrénées-Orientales finds himself in a situation that is surprising to say the least. According to our information, Yannick Conegero was called out on 6 November, shortly after midday, to tackle a forest fire that had broken out in his local area. However, once the fire had been brought under control, he turned up at work three hours late. This delay has clearly not gone down well with his employer, the SNCF’s freight division based in Clichy.
Just a few days after responding to his pager, his line managers at Cerbère asked him to explain why he was late. But his response clearly did not go down well with his superiors, who are said to have decided "to refer the matter to SNCF’s Freight Division, with a view to imposing a penalty ranging from a reprimand... to dismissal" of his contract.
An online petition
For the time being, a petition A fundraising campaign has been launched on a website to help this firefighter. "Whether you are a serving firefighter, a former firefighter or a supporter, please share this petition and get as many people as possible to sign it, so that firefighter Yannick Conegero does not face any disciplinary action from SNCF management for simply doing his duty.", is the message calling for help, sent by several of his colleagues at the SNCF. To view the petition, click here.
When contacted by our editorial team, the SPV 66 collective which represents volunteer firefighters in the Pyrénées-Orientales, states: "We are very surprised by this course of action on the part of a company in which the State is a shareholder. We note that the Internal Security Code specifies, in particular, in its articles, that the activities entitling a volunteer firefighter to authorised leave during working hours are: operational missions relating to the emergency rescue of people who are victims of accidents, incidents or disasters and their evacuation, as well as the protection of people, property and the environment in the event of danger—" as the Secretary-General, Chief Warrant Officer Serge Vaills, points out, before referring to one of the articles stipulating that"No dismissal, demotion or disciplinary action may be taken against an employee on the grounds of absences resulting from the application of the provisions of this section."
"We call on the SNCF management to use common sense and ensure that our colleague is recognised rather than penalised" - Chief Warrant Officer Serge Vaills, Deputy General Secretary of the SPV 66 collective.