2023-11-16 22:05:24
Before the sun had fully risen in Argentan, some of Marelli’s employees were on the bridge in the courtyard of the automobile parts manufacturing company. They were firmly waiting for the human resources director of the combustion engine branch of the Italian group to come to negotiate.
“We changed our tone a little today, that’s why we initiated a walkoutexplains Jean-Philippe Fresny, CGT delegate and representative of the inter-union. The staff are starting to get impatient and don’t feel like things are moving very quickly.”
Since October 4, employees have been fixed, the site must close by the end of January 2024, beginning of February. The unions had surprised everyone, residents, elected officials and journalists included. When the closure was announced, the expression of discontent was contained. The unions prefer to act in secret to prepare for the departure of employees.
A morning rush of pressure
But they allowed themselves this morning pressure to point the finger at the shareholder of the Marelli group, the KKR investment fund. “We have the impression of not having the right contacts, of being in a budget that already seems fixed”, a mixed assessment from the union delegate, at the end of the first half of negotiations this Thursday. A situation which even makes Jean-Philippe Fresny say that the movement could become tougher. A scenario that Marelli does not want.
At the end of the fifth day of negotiations, however, the lines moved a little. A small victory for the unions. Back to the strategy of small steps. The afternoon discussions are judged “satisfactory” for the inter-union which explains that it no longer needs pressure from employees. The content of the negotiations has not yet been communicated.
Yesterday, in Yonne, in Saint-Julien-du-Sault, the employees of the other Marelli factory targeted by closure, managed to reach an agreement with management. They decided to end their strike which started on November 9, 2023
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