Paris (AFP)
The inter-union of La Halle questions the Minister of Labor Muriel Pénicaud about the situation of the clothing and footwear brand, where "at least 2,200 employees will lose their jobs in the coming weeks", in a letter to the press Tuesday AFP.
The unions CFE-CGC, CFTC, CGT, FO and SUD recall that "as for Camaïeu", the placement in receivership "is not a surprise" and criticize the group Vivarte, shareholder of La Halle, for having "steered the company with the constant desire to profit in the short term from their investment "and" without ever laying the foundations of a global and long-term industrial project ".
The intersyndicale asks the State to lend its assistance, recalling that "in the past and in situations of receivership, the State has abounded PES poor in their content", citing the example of the transporter Mory.
Vivarte CEO Patrick Puy said on May 26 that "the PES would not be very generous because [they did not] have the means to be."
The unions ask Vivarte, "but especially the investment funds which own this group, to participate in the financing of a job safeguarding plan (PSE) which provides means for the return to work of the dismissed employees. ".
"Patrick Puy has already announced in the press that the shareholders would not give us any support because penniless, leaving the financing of the PES largely assumed by the State. This is not acceptable especially when we know the financial power of group owner funds, "they point out.
The unions also fear that the main buyer Beaumanoir will profit from a "windfall situation": "we can see their desire that Vivarte finance purchases for next season, to the detriment of the funds allocated to the PES. This is not acceptable no more".
They ask Beaumanoir to widen the scope of recovery to more stores and warehouses, "which would reduce the cost of restructuring and compensation for future unemployed brought by the state".
Patrick Puy had indicated on May 26 that the company had received "seven offers, emanating for the majority of competitors, which would take again at this stage 3.195 people out of 5.391, therefore 60%".
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