Caudan (France) (AFP)
Employees of the Fonderie de Bretagne continued Wednesday blocking their factory in Caudan (Morbihan) to request their retention within the Renault group, which put the site up for sale, a meeting with elected officials not allowing them to " reassure "about their future.
"The blockage continues, it's clear and clear. Employees no longer want to produce for an employer who despises and mistreats us", said at midday Maël Le Goff, CGT delegate, at the end a meeting with the PS president of the region Loïg Chesnais-Girard and elected officials.
The blockade of the site, where 350 people work, began on Tuesday morning and several members of the management were held up all day in the factory before being able to leave their offices in the evening.
Established in Caudan, near Lorient, since 1965, the Fonderie de Bretagne manufactures suspension arms, exhaust manifolds and elbows, as well as gearbox differentials.
For Maël Le Goff, "it is not this meeting that will reassure us. All we hear is only bad news, there are no acts".
He called the situation "untenable".
The president of the region affirmed that "Brittany wants to keep industry", believing that "production in France is essential".
According to him, "Renault, if it remains present, must assume its responsibilities and if it finds a partner must ensure the long-term visibility of this site, through investments and through orders".
"I do not see who could dare to say that we can put billions to save the Renault group and let the industry go. It is not understandable," he insisted.
The mayor of Lorient Fabrice Loher (various right) recalled that "Renault needs the help of local communities. In recent years, we have put a few million euros. Public money can not be given without consideration ".
He also called for "a firm commitment from Renault on production volumes".
Tuesday evening, the management of Renault condemned "firmly" the blocking of the plant and assured that "the search for a buyer is currently underway in order to maintain the activities of the site and ensure the sustainability of jobs".
Wednesday morning, the secretary general of the CGT Philippe Martinez gave his support to the employees of the Foundry of Brittany, "where there is know-how".
The foundries "are all confronted with builders, and the two French (...) refuse to give activity to these foundries and prefer to send the activity to the other end of Europe to the detriment of economic questions. and environmental issues, "he commented on France Inter.
According to the number one of the CGT, this situation is "completely the opposite of the shattering statements of the government on the need to relocate".
© 2021 AFP