The General Electric site in Belfort has been blocked since Friday June 24 by employees of the American giant’s nuclear entity who are protesting against the non-attribution of a bonus.
Vehicles cannot enter or leave, but employees can go to the site on foot from the main gate. The workers and technicians of this entity which manufactures the Arabelle steam turbine, intended for nuclear power plants, did not receive a bonus of several thousand euros, paid to their executive counterparts because of the good dynamics of the group’s financial results. on the second part of the year 2021, according to an internal letter.
“We are really on a problem of recognition of human beings” summarizes Laurent Santoire, of the CGT. “When we manage to find money, exit milestones for senior executives, when we say that there have been exceptional efforts, we consider that these efforts have been made by everyone and in particular those who produce the Arabelle turbine and there is a misunderstanding of this injustice” deplores the trade unionist.
In response to this blockage, the management assigned two CGT trade unionists to the court, including Laurent Santoire.
Earlier this week, mediation was initiated by the State services of the Territory of Belfort. The employees demanded 5,000 euros in bonus, a bonus at the exit of each piece of equipment and the hiring of temporary workers who wanted it before the end of the year.
The management had accepted a bonus for everyone, of 150 euros, which was added to the 1,200 euros of bonuses obtained in January. “It’s not worth opening negotiations for 150 euros. It’s terrifying”denounced Monday Laurent Santoire, of the CGT.
“Great efforts have been made since January“, responds for his part a source close to the management, who denounces the movement “of a minority”.
In a press release on Wednesday, GE Steam Power requests “the unblocking of the site so that the dialogue can resume in good conditions and in a respectful manner”.
But on Tuesday evening, the management had increased the pressure by summoning the departmental delegation of the CGT to court, as well as two members of the union, Saïd Bersy and Laurent Santoire, as part of a summary procedure. In the summons, the management requests the lifting of the obstacles and “the immediate expulsion of the defendants and all other offenders”.
“The more the management hardens the tone, the more it will fuel the anger”regrets Said Bersy.
On Wednesday afternoon, the strikers let a gas turbine out of the site, to “make a gesture”. “We are waiting for there to be a return,” notes Laurent Santoire. In France, GE Steam power systems has 1,597 employees, according to the group.
A new negotiation meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 30. Before the court hearing the next day.