Amazon France: tensions around wages, union unity crystallizes
An employee of the Amazon group in the Augny distribution center in France, September 23, 2021. © SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Not always in agreement so far, the five representative unions of
Amazon
in
France
have just, "for the first time" according to them, called hand in hand for a strike because of a proposal for a wage increase that they consider "ridiculous".
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“
The management proudly came forward to offer us a general, derisory increase of 3%, something unacceptable given the current context.
We are asking for a general salary increase of 5% minimum
”, wrote the CFDT, Sud, the CGT, the CAT and the CFE-CGC executives union in a joint press release which called on Monday for “
the strike and the walkout
”.
"
At the national level, this is the first time that the five organizations have come together
", welcomed Morgane Boulard (CFDT), who believes that this proposal from the e-commerce giant, based "
on an inflation of 1.6 % only in transport
”, “
set fire to the powder
”.
"
We live in real life
," she said.
“
This is the first time that a trade union movement is so broad at Amazon, that all the representative organizations are present
”, abounds Alain Jeault (CGT).
Some even anticipated the call of the inter-union and undertook on Sunday to express their dissatisfaction in Chalon-sur-Saône.
This was mainly expressed on Monday, but it continued on Tuesday, in particular in Boves, where the movement was to last until 3:30 p.m.
To varying degrees, Amazon's eight logistics sites in France have just suffered disruptions.
The CGT and the CFDT have identified between 1,200 and 1,300 strikers among the group's 15,000 employees in France.
The movement has “
no impact on the ability to serve customers
” or on “
daily activity
”, assured Amazon, specifying that “the majority of its employees” had resumed their position.
The unions, who admit to having been surprised by the spontaneity of the employees, nevertheless warn that "
unlimited notice
" has been filed.
The blockades could continue if necessary until the next mandatory annual negotiation meeting scheduled for April 14.
We are negotiating salaries at Amazon and they are making indecent offers.
That employees do not accept.
They offer us a 3% increase, that represents 39 euros per month.
This is unacceptable in relation to the company we are, one of the richest in the world, and in relation to the cost of living.
Alain Jeault, CGT delegate of Amazon France
Ariane Gaffuri
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