Paris (AFP)

The social and economic committee (CSE) of the Suez water and waste management group voted unanimously on Tuesday to launch an economic alert right on the takeover project of its competitor Veolia, a- he announced Wednesday in a press release.

"The Suez CSE considers that this is a defined project which will undoubtedly have social consequences for all the employees of the Suez group," the statement said.

“The call for a walkout against Veolia's takeover bid (Tuesday, September 8) was followed on average by 60 to 70% of employees, which reflects the concern of employees about the Veolia project”, and its “social consequences up to dismissal, "continues the CSE.

He decides "consequently to trigger the procedure of internal economic alert provided for by the labor code and in this context asks the management to provide him with explanations", during a forthcoming extraordinary meeting of the CSE on Friday 18 September.

"As part of this right to alert, the CSE will today send Engie a letter of formal notice asking it to come" to this meeting "so that the committee can be informed in a precise manner on the project".

The committee also considers that the situation requires the initiation of an information-consultation procedure with elected staff.

Finally, he considers that Veolia's offer constitutes "a serious risk" for employees, justifying an expert mission, and instructs the secretary of the CSE to appoint an expert firm specializing in psycho-social risks.

The committee also mandates the secretary of the CSE to initiate "any legal action" in its name "with the object of requesting the suspension of any transaction leading to the merger of the Suez and Veolia groups", including the firm acquisition offer by Veolia of the 29.9% held by Engie in Suez and the takeover bid planned by Veolia in the wake.

The group has 90,000 employees worldwide, including 30,000 in France, and 11,000 in the water sector.

Veolia plans to resell the water branch of Suez to the Meridiam investment fund after its takeover bid, ensuring that employment would thus be preserved.

The unions fear for their part a "dismantling" of the group with serious social consequences.

© 2020 AFP