Marcq-en-Barœul (AFP)

Production at a standstill, social dialogue "stuck", work stoppages ... a strike by employees of the Carambar factory in Marcq-en-Baroeul (North) against a drop in wages that they consider "unacceptable" continues until 'to raise fears, in the long term, of a shortage of famous caramels.

"It's hard. We've been bogged down in a conflict for several weeks" blows André Jorisse, secretary (FO) of the CSE while a pallet fire burns in front of the historic factory, the only one in the world to produce, since 1954 , the iconic caramelized stick.

At the end of 2020, management announced to 112 employees its plan to close the Marcq-en-Baroeul site, near Lille, for a move in the summer to the neighboring town of Bondues.

Shortly after, "we learned that there was also a plan to safeguard employment (PSE)", told AFP David Poure, FO union representative and machine operator, who has worked on the site for more than 20 years.

The project provides for 105 redeployment offers, with "wage cuts" of up to 25%, according to the unions.

"We are going to do exactly the same work 8 km further, so we do not see why we should be paid less," he wondered.

"We want to participate in the" moving "project but we must not scratch on the employees even more."

Since December, walkouts have been linked and production is now completely stopped.

"A lot of employees are on sick leave. Many do not understand, stay at home or come with a lump in their stomachs. It's incredible", adds Mr. Jorisse.

- Declining market -

Claiming to be "aware" of the "effort required of employees", management justifies its decision by the desire to "prepare for the future" by regrouping its activity on a "more modern" site, in a vast industrial zone.

In addition, "we have a real problem of competitiveness" and "certain levels of remuneration are disconnected from the market", explains to AFP Thierry Gaillard, CEO of the group "Carambar & Co" - bought in 2017 by the investment fund Eurazeo which notably owns Lutti, Krema, Michoko and Malabar.

He recalls that this plan comes in a "declining candy market", a decline "accelerated by the Covid-19 crisis" and "strong competition".

However, "the employees will keep their seniority" and "the salary will be maintained for approximately 50% of the redeployment offers. For the others, it will be a contained adjustment, up to 15%" of maximum decrease, assures Mr. Gaillard, stressing that "negotiations with the social partners are in progress".

These figures hide "a confusion" between "the remuneration and the basic salary", estimates the lawyer of the CSE and the unions, Me Stéphane Ducrocq.

In fact, "all employees have a certain number of salary supplements which will go down from 32 to 52%", ie a total decrease in net remuneration of up to 22%

He said he was "surprised" by the "insufficient" pace of negotiations - a weekly meeting - "while the employees are outside".

"When there is a social conflict, it must be resolved! In addition, everyone loses", he is alarmed.

- "Tearing" -

Could the crisis lead to a shortage of joke-stamped yellow-wrapped candies?

"Today, there is nothing more coming out, so sooner or later, we are necessarily heading for a shortage," warns David Poure.

“We have ways out of the crisis”, tempers Mr. Gaillard, and at this stage “the vast majority of stores are still supplied”.

But "there could be ruptures" if the conflict continues for "weeks".

The departure from the historic site of Marcq-en-Baroeul, from which 7,500 tonnes of caramels come out each year, will in any case be "a heartbreak", says the mayor (LR) of the city Bernard Gérard.

"There is a real attachment of the inhabitants to this site. Marcq-en-Baroeul is Carambar!", He exclaims.

A "Carambar throw" was even organized in the spring for twenty years in the city, he recalls.

© 2021 AFP