In Saint-Étienne, Casino employees “no longer expect anything from politicians”

Following the bankruptcy and takeover of the Casino group, between 1,300 and 3,200 jobs will be cut, including more than 500 at the brand’s historic headquarters in Saint-Étienne. A situation that seems to tarnish employees’ interest in the legislative elections.

In front of Casino’s headquarters in Saint-Étienne, employees and future former employees continue to come and go every morning, but their state of mind remains gloomy. This bankruptcy, and the restructuring that followed, is “a waste”, “a dismantling” for some employees, while at least a third of jobs are at risk of being cut at headquarters.

An injustice, even, for Delphine, 53 years old, 26 of which she spent at Casino. She feels that it is “always the same story” which repeats itself. “We are the ones who pay the price, and it’s always like thatshe laments. Those at the top are getting by and we are suffering.” Delphine denounces “a capitalist system”, which will not change with the election of a new National Assembly. For this, it would be necessary “change system” according to her, but “You don’t change it in a country like that, in the European Union,” the fifty-year-old resigns herself.

“It would be known if politicians could change things.”

Delphine, employee of the Casino group

to franceinfo

At her side, Isabelle, a colleague who has joined her, shares her dismay. Very disappointed in recent months, she does not trust the deputies, regardless of their party, to improve her situation, while she is about to lose her job after more than 30 years in the same company.

“I’m not waiting for politicians to come and save our asses,” she says, denouncing an abandonment on their part. “We saw them at the beginning, because there were things, but they only think of themselves. Here, we no longer expect anything from politicians.”she laments, assuring that she will still vote, but without saying for whom.

Unemployment insurance and the return to work of the over 50s are important themes of the legislative campaign. But what interests François, a 42-year-old sector manager, the most is the drop in his purchasing power once unemployed. However, he is one of those who say “all the same”. “They propose things, each on their own, but afterwards, they always manage to do what was there before”, he says ironically. So yes, he will go and vote, but without much conviction.

For her part, Estelle, who does not yet know the future of her position, is especially worried about the government’s upcoming unemployment insurance reform, but does not believe much in the other candidates, right, left or presidential majority.

“It’s a sausage fair, who can say the best”she denounces, preferring the formula “Promises only bind those who believe in them.” “We will see the result at the ballot box”concludes Estelle, but here, in front of the headquarters of Casino de Saint-Étienne, the employees are mainly waiting for the end of the negotiations to know their fate once and for all.