France: Michelin, unions agree on support programme for redundant employees

Michelin’s plan to close its truck tyre factory in La Roche-sur-Yon, France took a step forward last Thursday when it signed an employee support agreement with four trade unions. This agreement with the CFDT, CFE‑CGC, SUD and FO unions followed 12 weeks of negotiations that took place between October and January.

According to Michelin, talks between its management and the different unions were “conducted with the shared goal of working together to define a support plan as quickly as possible that reflects the actual needs expressed by plant employees.” It adds that the agreement will “offer flexible job security”, with the priority being to find employees other positions within the company. Other options for workers are retraining and placement with other employers or early retirement.

These measures may also be offered to employees at the semi-finished product operation within Michelin’s plant in Cholet, France. This will switch from a four-shift to a three-shift working system when tyre production ends in La Roche-sur-Yon, with 74 jobs eliminated as a result.

The proposed agreement remains subject to review by employee representatives prior to validation by France’s ministry of labour, the Regional Office for Companies, Competition, Consumption, Labor and Employment (DIRECCTE).