French foundry unions are to meet tomorrow (6 September) to thrash out a coordinated response to proposals by the Fonderie du Poitou Aluminium (FPA) to reduce salaries by 15%.

The issue had gone somewhat into abeyance during France’s traditional August holidays, but has resurfaced with the CFE-CGC union claiming 85% of the 500 staff walked out last Friday (2 September) in protest at the drastic wage reduction plans. 

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“We are ready to negotiate with technical [issues] on condition the social plan is completely wiped out,” CFE-CGC union spokesman Alex Jamain told just-auto from FPA’s Vienne location.

“We are ready to have a round table on condition this summer’s competivity plan is swept away.”

The union has also secured a major coup by meeting the Poitou-Charentes president Segolene Royal, who Jamain maintains said she would seek a meeting with FDP’s Montupet owners and Renault.

The foundry mainly produces engine cylinder heads for Renault, BMW, Citroen and Peugeot among others, with Renault appearing to be by far the largest vehicle manufacturer that FDP supplies.

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Royal herself was a candidate for the French presidency in 2007, becoming the first woman in France to proceed to the country’s second round of elections, securing 17m votes and is a significant political heavyweight.

“Madame Royal, president of the region came to FDP [and] we had a meeting with her of about one hour,” said Jamain. “She committed herself to see the head of Montupet and Renault to have a round table – we have not a deadline in mind. I think we will have some [more news] at the end of the week.”

The CFE-CGC labour body is coordinating with fellow-French organisations Confederation Generale du Travail and Force Ouvriere to negotiate at the “highest level” on an inter-union basis to see what action they could take.

Fonderie du Poitou Aluminium was not immediately available for comment.