Employees of Lidl France are preparing for significant disruptions as five major unions have called for an indefinite strike starting February 7, 2025. This unprecedented call to action is fueled by discontent over the company's plans to open stores on Sundays and insufficient salary increases following stalled negotiations.
The unions involved include the CFTC, CGT, CFDT, FO-FGTA, and SNCDD CFE-CGC. They argue the need for fair wages and improved working conditions, stating these are fundamental rights jeopardized by management’s current proposals. The situation escalated following the second round of annual mandatory negotiations (NAO), which unions described as failing to address their concerns adequately.
According to Patrick Gross, regional delegate of the CFDT at the Montoy-Flanville logistics base, the push for Sunday openings was met with firm opposition. He emphasized, “We do not want this to happen hastily. There were no negotiations at all. For the NAO, we were made to understand there wasn’t much hope for improvement.” The unions express alarm over what they perceive as eroded conditions of work and unacceptable salary offerings.
The breakdown of the latest negotiations, where management presented minimal salary increases deemed insufficient by employees, only intensified frustrations. The proposed salary increase reportedly did not meet inflation rates, leaving many employees feeling shortchanged. "The company's current economic situation is not as dire as suggested, yet the salary increase we received is even lower than the INSEE index. This has never happened before," asserted Gross.
Not all unions share the same approach; UNSA, the largest union within Lidl, has chosen to prioritize conversations with management instead of joining the strike action. Mohamed Scylla, Secretary General of UNSA Lidl, stated, “We choose to prioritize dialogue, as it is not the right time for such measures due to the current state of the retail sector with other brands shutting down stores. We've also had significant changes at the top of Lidl France with the recent appointment of a new president.”
The UNSA is currently considering voluntary Sunday work arrangements, having already opened 767 of its 1,600 stores on Sunday mornings based on employee consent. This conciliatory stance aims to placate employee concerns, especially for the 7,000 students who can work only on weekends along with employees wishing to maintain regular weekday rest days.
Lidl France, established in the country since 1989, is encountering mounting pressures. The impending strike is not just about wages; it also signals widespread dissatisfaction concerning workplace conditions. Reports have emerged from the company’s Central Social and Economic Committee (CSEC), arguing the company is relying too heavily on its current employees without adequately compensatory consideration, resulting in excessive workloads.
“The CSEC observes again and again the employees are the sole variable of adjustment for the company, which leads to consistent workload burdens on those who remain,” noted the committee, asserting the need for management not to offset profit margin declines from price wars through workforce reductions.
Past presidencies within Lidl have seen shifts, most recently with the departure of Michel Biero, the vice-president, who played key roles in transitioning Lidl from discount-oriented retailer to one focusing on higher quality. Biero's leaving, along with the company’s lean earnings strategy, has left employees uneasy as they brace for outcomes of the strike.
Employees expect numerous store closures starting this Friday, with the promise of no negotiations or discussions from management at this time, leading to speculation about how long the strike may persist and how deep its impact will run. Will customers be faced with unexpected closed doors? That remains to be seen.
With over 46,000 employees working across France, Lidl is one of the key players within the retail sector and faces pressure from both external market forces and internal dissent. The mobilization of so many workers could lead to unprecedented operational disruptions across its extensive network of locations.
This situation is also reflective of broader trends currently affecting the French retail market, where unions are increasingly vocal about labor rights and workplace conditions amid heightened economic pressures. Whatever the outcome, the results of this indefinite strike will likely resonate beyond Lidl, influencing trends and discussions surrounding labor movements across the country.