French companies are under pressure after Leroy Merlin strike

After several days of strike and an unprecedented social movement at Leroy Merlin, theemployees learn that they will be increased of 65 euros, that is 51 euros net additional per month. A union victory, but above all a breath of fresh air for many employees. “With the rise in prices and galloping inflation, 65 euros on a salary of 1200 euros, we take”, welcomes Imane Haddach, CGT Leroy Merlin union representative. A breakthrough for those who were annoyed with the exceptional dividends paid to the group’s shareholders.

The movement could create an oil stain. Amazon, Labeyrie, Sephora : employees demand wage increases to cope with rising prices. Nothing, however, obliges companies to align their salary scales with inflation. At the house of Decathlon, around twenty employees of the Saint-Nazaire store (Loire Atlantique) went on strike, an unprecedented situation. “There were more than 1,000 employees who joined forces with us on November 12D, this shows that there is a real renewal of combativeness “, underlines Guilain Bihan, inter-union delegate CFDT Decathlon. The post-crisis social shock in France is shaking most companies. “Employees need to see all the efforts they have made recognized, and companies have a duty to be careful. We are in a middle ground, which gives rise to negotiations. very tense, “ explains Bernard Vivier, director of the Higher Institute of Labor (STI). Companies still have several months to negotiate wages.