(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #232 - Layoffs and severance pay: Behind the scenes (fr)

Recent years have seen an avalanche of job cuts, with the key different strategies to deal 
with them. Return on their long-term effects: what will happen when the box is closed, 
after several months or years for alumni employed? ---- When a firm box, financial claims 
they are the most practical? If the industry was the sector where job losses were the most 
important (remember PSA, Renault, Goodyear, Continental, Sanofi ... for the most iconic), 
others were not left, as shown by the example of Virgin. The majority union teams chose to 
fight for better severance, to increase the cost to the company of the "social." The 
amount differs from one company to another, with ceilings higher or lower depending on the 
size of the company, but also the balance of forces imposed.

Trend

Claims about severance seem practical or achievable, because it is often easier to 
negotiate an encryption of the backup job. So are they seen as a goal or a victory by some 
union or political currents. The legislative framework in both procedures surrounding the 
"backup plans for employment" (PSE) in possible disputes, also grows in this direction. 
For example, the last law being discussed in parliament against the closure of "profitable 
sites" considering financial compensation rather than measures enabling employee-es to 
fight effectively and efficiently against layoffs.

Future poisoned

Away with tens of thousands of dollars of premium up to several hundreds of thousands in 
what at the time make your head spin. Yet. Experts from the works councils as trade 
unionists are unanimous on the post-dismissal. In most cases, the employee-es do not find 
employment or be less well paid and away from home. Personal situations suffer: suicides, 
divorces and other are the daily lot. The compensation can at best provide additional 
unemployment, but the employee-are quickly disillusioned. " At the beginning we said that 
it can allow a fresh start, we even believe in training projects but ultimately found 
nothing. Fortunately we have created a group to keep in touch and be united and continue 
the steps together , "says a former employee of the food industry.

In September, the Labour Court of Compi?gne invalidated the dismissal of 680 former 
employees of Continental es for non-economic reasons, condemning the company to pay thirty 
months of compensation to them. The declaration of Xavier Mathieu, CGT and former host of 
the fight, was sensational, " a victory, but a whole lot of bodies . "

Fight to save his job of course raises contradictions when working conditions are bad, 
from when can give the illusion of freedom. " It is in these moments against PES, he must 
defend employment in a context of work-sharing and redistribution of wealth, but also 
questioning the way we work or what product to offer alternatives. This is the fundamental 
role that trade unions must find , "says another union industry.

Chick?

RoberK (AL Montreuil)