Paris (AFP)

Inter-union magazine publisher Mondadori France denounced a "passage in force" after the announcement Thursday of the finalization of the acquisition of their company by the media and marketing group Reworld, even though a decision by justice should have delayed the transaction.

Not only, "such a rush to conclude the assignment at the heart of the summer, when many employees are on vacation, seems particularly indecent" and may complicate "the transition and continuity of activity", but "more still, Mondadori and Reworld Media deliberately violate the decision made by the TGI Nanterre of July 11," said the Inter, said in a statement.

Reworld, a French media and marketing group that already owns many magazines (including Auto Moto, Marie France and Maison et Travaux), announced Wednesday night that it has completed the acquisition of Mondadori France, a subsidiary of the Italian publisher Mondadori (which belongs to to the Berlusconi family). Mondadori France, number 3 of the magazine in France, publishes Auto Plus, Full Life, Top Health, Biba, Grazia, Closer, TV Star, The French Hunter, Science and Life.

The transaction was the subject of a transfer agreement signed in April. But the court of first instance, seized by the Social and Economic Committee of Mondadori France, had ruled that the group had neglected to consult employees as provided by the rules, and had committed "misuse of power, preventing the CSE from exercise their rights to obtain useful explanations and to make alternative proposals ".

The TGI had ordered Mondadori France to begin an information-consultation process within eight days, which, added to a new passage before the Autorité de la concurrence, should have delayed the operation by several months.

"Clearly, Mondadori and Reworld Media consider themselves above the law, concretely, they deprive the CSE and employees of all visibility and guarantees on the future of magazines and employment", laments the inter-union of the group, which ensures that it will take "all the initiatives required to uphold the law, preserve the securities and guarantee the interests of the employees".

© 2019 AFP