Four of Renault Retail Group’s (RRG) main unions are striking today (14 March) in a bid to press wage claims against an improving French automotive backdrop.
The CFE-CGC, CFDT, FO and CGT unions all walked out today at 48 of RRG’s 52 directly-owned dealerships, although the CGT is now on its fourth consecutive day of industrial action.
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Unions will also target Renault’s so called ‘portes ouvertes’ or open day tomorrow, where automakers use special promotions to attract customers.
“It is a big success today – management has to listen,” CFE-CCG union delegate, Jean-Christophe Morandini, told just-auto from Lille railway station in north-east France, where Renault has two dealerships.
“The idea is to build something that will allow us to get out of this situation, all the while respecting the economic situation of the business.
“The results in France were going down and also the European market is down. Nevertheless, the restructuring has already been done during this last year.”
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By GlobalDataDespite a slight uptick in the French economy and car sales, February still saw another automotive fall, although the CFE-CGC is playing the recovery card for its claims.
“When things are going well, we want a fair recompose for our efforts,” said Morandini.
Earlier the CFE-CGC union – long viewed as a moderating influence within the French labour movement compared to some more hardline bodies said: “It is in a context of wage [austerity], job cuts, random reorganisations, but also commercial uncertainty, the CFE-CGC, joined by other union organisations from RRG, intends to put pressure on to secure a real salary policy.”
Morandini noted the strike had been particularly well followed in Brittany, south east France, Lyon and the east of the country and emphasised the conciliatory nature of his labour body.
“The CGT appeals [to] its troops to demonstrate in the strike,” he said. “For us it is exceptional – we are more on the German model.”
Renault Retail Group was not immediately available for comment.
