a “historic” strike in certain stores and warehouses in Hauts-de-France

The CGT, CFDT, FO and CFTC, the company’s four unions, are calling on employees to strike to defend their purchasing power and their salaries.

Several Auchan stores and warehouses in the Hauts-de-France region were disrupted on Friday March 29 by a strike by the group’s employees to defend their salaries, at the call of four unions which qualify this mobilization “historical”announces a representative of the CFDT, guest Friday 29 of France Bleu Nord.

The CGT, CFDT, FO and CFTC, the company’s four unions, are calling on employees to strike to defend their purchasing power and their salaries. This is an unprecedented movement in terms of its scale and the inter-union appeal. “It’s historic”, assures the central delegate of the CDFT at Auchan, René Carette, guest of France Bleu Nord this Friday morning. According to him, “this is the first time that a movement has been followed by all the employed union organizations.”

“Almost all stores in the North are affected”

The strikers demonstrated at the Auchan store, the largest in the region, in Roncq (North), noted France Bleu Nord. “Almost all stores in the North are affected, explains René Carette. There are the hypermarkets of Roncq, Faches-Thumesnil, Dunkerque, Calais, Boulogne, Petite-Forêt. And also disrupted warehouses like Lesquin or Amiens.”

Since the night of Thursday to Friday, “employees filter incoming trucks in many stores, especially for fresh products. And at the checkout, there will be fewer checkout attendants,” explains the union representative. It’s going to be very complicated for customers to access stores and do their shopping this weekend.”he warns.

Unions demand 5% wage increase

Mandatory annual negotiation on salaries has not satisfied the unions. “Management very generously granted us a 1.3% increase, when we know that inflation will be around around 3.5%explains René Carette. However, in mass distribution, salaries are very low. There are more and more part-time people and single-parent families who find themselves losing purchasing power. It’s intolerable when we know that the wealth of the Mulliez family was made by Auchan employees.”

The unions are therefore demanding a 5% salary increase. “We ask that poor employees not be even poorer in 2024.” If they are not heard this Friday, the unions do not exclude “one act 4” stronger.