• About EIRO
• Annual reports
• Comparative information
• EU level developments
• Representativeness studies
• Survey Reports
• Browse by:
  • Country
  • Date
  • Sector
  • Subject
• Industrial relations links

France

Background information on industrial relations in France

• 07 Dec 2001
  France: Industrial unrest ends at Moulinex<#PDF_LINK>

  In autumn 2001, Moulinex, the French-based electrical household appliance manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy and was partially taken over by its competitor, SEB, with the planned loss of 3,700 jobs. Workers responded by occupying plants and adopting other hard-line tactics. The conflict ended with the conclusion of an agreement on enhanced redundancy compensation for the workers who will lose their jobs.

• 07 Dec 2001
  France: ILO child labour Convention comes into force in France<#PDF_LINK>

  The 1999 ILO Convention No. 182 on the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour was implemented in France by a decree issued on 15 November 2001.

• 07 Dec 2001
  France: Agreement on employment of people with disabilities in civil service<#PDF_LINK>

  In October 2001, France's civil service minister and five trade unions signed a protocol agreement on the employment of people with disabilities in the central government civil service, with the aim of reaching a 6% quota set by 1987 legislation on the issue.

• 05 Dec 2001
  France: Debate on trade union funding continues<#PDF_LINK>

  Over 2000 and 2001, French trade unions and politicians have been examining the controversial issue of trade union funding arrangements. Following a meeting between the five representative union confederations and the Minister of Employment and Solidarity in November 2001, the government will take some limited initiatives in this area, such as clarifying unions' tax status.

• 05 Dec 2001
  France: Police officers hold demonstrations<#PDF_LINK>

  In November 2001, French police trade unions organised a series of demonstrations calling for more resources, jobs, pay and respect, and highlighting increasing crime levels . In the run-up to the presidential and general elections in spring 2002, the dispute has assumed a clearly political character around the issue of public safety, a theme that is high on the agenda for the coming elections.

• 03 Dec 2001
  France: Involuntary part-time work declines<#PDF_LINK>

  Over the past 20 years, part-time work has been growing at a rapid pace in France, promoted by the government as a potential tool for stemming unemployment while affording the flexibility sought by the employers. Often imposed by employers, part-time work has thus been experienced by many employees involved asinvoluntary- ie they would prefer to work longer hours. However, research published in October 2001 indicates that since 1998, a change has been observed, in that the proportion of part-time employees stating that they are not satisfied with this kind of employment has clearly fallen. This is probably attributable to the bargaining momentum generated by the law on the 35-hour working week, according to the study.

• 29 Nov 2001
  France: French social partners debate future of European Union<#PDF_LINK>

  During 2001, French trade unions and employers' associations have participated in a country-wide debate over the future of the European Union. The process included the adoption of an opinion on the issue by the Economic and Social Council, on which the social partners are represented, in October.

• 27 Nov 2001
  France: Vocational training talks break down<#PDF_LINK>

  After a 10-month process, talks between the French social partners on vocational training reform, which formed part of their overhaul of industrial relationsproject, ended in failure in October 2001. The trade unions and employers' organisations were unable to reach agreement on the distribution of the burden of training costs to be borne by employers and employees. Discord on the employers' side was a major factor in the demise of the talks.

• 15 Nov 2001
  France: Introducing the 35-hour week in the central civil service<#PDF_LINK>

  In October 2001, three months from the January 2002 deadline for the introduction of the 35-hour week in France's central civil service, almost all ministries have worked out their national framework for working time reduction, based either on an agreement signed by trade unions or a unilateral decision by the ministry in question. The procedures followed have varied. However, some areas of contention still exist, as for instance at the Ministries of Justice and Culture.

• 14 Nov 2001
  France: Precarious status quo in elections to boards of social security funds<#PDF_LINK>

  In September-October 2001, the French social partners appointed new members to the boards of the various jointly managed funds within the general social security scheme. The earlier decision of the MEDEF and CGPME employers' organisations to pull out of these bodies had led to speculation about major upheavals. In the event, the elections resulted in no changes in the chairs of the national funds. However, this status quo seems precarious.

• 14 Nov 2001
  France: Partial takeover of Moulinex by SEB<#PDF_LINK>

  In late October 2001, the Nanterre Commercial Court ruled that a bid tabled by SEB provided the best financial guarantees for the takeover of the troubled French electrical household appliance manufacturing group, Moulinex. The French-based SEB - a direct Moulinex competitor - plans some 4,600 job losses throughout Moulinex's worldwide operations, including 3,700 in France. Trade unions and workers at Moulinex have expressed their hostility to this decision.

• 14 Nov 2001
  France: Unions hold demonstrations<#PDF_LINK>

  In response to a call launched by four of the main French trade union confederations (CFE-CGC, CFTC, CGT, and CGT-FO), but with the notable exception of CFDT, demonstrations were held all over France on 16 October 2001. The issues at the heart of the protests varied, but centred on pay, employment and social welfare.

• 02 Nov 2001
  France: Moulinex: chronicle of a death foretold?<#PDF_LINK>

  The French-based electrical household appliance manufacturer, Moulinex, which was bought out in 2000 by the Italian group Elfi and merged with Brandt, has been slipping further and further into financial crisis since the start of 2001. Following the restructuring of Moulinex's industrial operations in late April 2001, involving 4,000 job cuts, the company decided to file for bankruptcy. In late October 2001, Moulinex was looking for a buyer and was on the brink of court-imposed liquidation.

• 02 Nov 2001
  France: Unemployment begins to increase<#PDF_LINK>

  Unemployment in France has begun to rise again since April 2001 ending, at least temporarily, a period of robust employment performance. The government has responded by launching various new employment-support initiatives. The extent of this reversal of the trend of the previous four years will depend in part on economic policy choices, particularly at European Union level.

• 31 Oct 2001
  France: Agreement signed on 35-hour week in hospitals<#PDF_LINK>

  An agreement on the introduction of the 35-hour working week in French public hospitals was signed by four out of eight trade unions represented in the sector in September 2001. The accord is a framework agreement to be used as a basis for negotiations in each hospital. The local-level negotiations will probably lead to disputes, although the scope of these is difficult to predict.

• 31 Oct 2001
  France: Opposition to agreement on 35-hour week in insurance<#PDF_LINK>

  An agreement on introducing the 35-hour week in the French insurance sector was signed by the FFSA employers' association and CFDT trade union in July 2001. The organisations which did not sign had until 21 September to do so. However, they did not sign. The GEMA employers' association, which includes most mutual insurance groups, refused to sign due to the agreement's provisions on Saturday working, while the other four unions threatened to take the matter to court.

• 31 Oct 2001
  France: Nicole Notat announces departure as CFDT leader and prepares succession<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 2001, Nicole Notat announced officially that she will not be running again for the position of general secretary of France's CFDT trade union confederation at its next congress in May 2002. François Chérèque is to succeed her.

• 30 Oct 2001
  France: Application of 35-hour week made more flexible for smaller firms<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 2001, the French government announced that the conditions for implementing the transition to the statutory 35-hour working week are to be made more flexible for companies with fewer than 20 employees. These firms will, for two years from the introduction of the 35-hour week in January 2002, be able to use more overtime without having to grant time off in lieu.

• 30 Oct 2001
  France: Government strengthens TRACE youth employment assistance programme<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, the French government announced that theroad to employment(Trajectoire d'ACces à l'Emploi, TRACE) programme, introduced in 1998, was to be extended and a new grant awarded to participants. The programme seeks to assist young people in the most difficult situation to find jobs. Most trade unions support TRACE, which has achieved some success so far but has experienced problems, notably a low level of private sector company involvement.

• 11 Oct 2001
  France: Survey examines role of women in works councils<#PDF_LINK>

  A study published in 2001 by the IRES research institute examines the position of women in works councils in France. It finds that women are generally well represented in the position of works council secretary. However, access by women and men to employee representative positions differs, depending on the particular characteristics of the workplace. Women are more likely to be works council secretaries in small, newly-created and non-unionised companies.

• 11 Oct 2001
  France: Vocational training talks deadlocked<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 2001, after seven months of negotiations, the French social partners have not succeeded in reaching an agreement in the vocational training reform working group, which forms part of the currentoverhaul of industrial relationsproject. The mechanisms for contributing to an individualtraining savings accountfor each employee proposed by the MEDEF employers' confederation have proved one of the greatest stumbling blocks. The resumption of the negotiations is planned for later in the autumn.

• 11 Oct 2001
  France: 35-hour week negotiations in public hospitals<#PDF_LINK>

  Negotiations over the introduction of the 35-hour week in France's public hospitals started in earnest in September 2001, following a government announcement that 40,000 jobs (a figure later raised to 45,000) were to be created to accompany the working time reductions. Trade unions have reservations about the job creation figure, and the likelihood of an agreement being reached (and the potential signatories) is partly dependent on the outcome of a day of action called by the unions.

• 11 Oct 2001
  France: Recent agreements on trade union rights<#PDF_LINK>

  During 2001 and 2000, agreements on trade union rights have been signed in a number of major French companies, such as Renault, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Alstom, and Crédit Lyonnais. They lay down the operating conditions for employee representative bodies and trade unions, and the resources put at their disposal by the companies.

• 11 Oct 2001
  France: Gender pay disparities examined<#PDF_LINK>

  In August 2001, France's INSEE statistical institute published a study on wage disparities between men and women. The unexpected finding that the wage gap has widened to women's disadvantage over the past 20 years demonstrates the extent to which the position of women in the labour market and in employment is very different from that of their male counterparts. Men and women of strictly equivalent training and employment do not receive equal pay.

• 28 Sep 2001
  France: Industrial relations and the BSE crisis<#PDF_LINK>

  The food and agriculture crises that France has been experiencing since autumn 2000, triggered by themad cow disease(BSE) outbreak, have severely upset business in the meat industry, particularly beef and lamb/mutton. In autumn 2001, meat consumption is down and the continuing drop in beef sales is no longer being offset by increased sales in other meats. As a result, the entire meat industry is experiencing an economic slump, which is affecting not only farmers but also employment in the agri-food industry. A tripartite agreement on training was signed in July 2001 in an attempt to protect employment in the industry, while trade unions have sought both to defend jobs and to rethink France's current model of agriculture.

• 19 Sep 2001
  France: Employees back AOM-Air Liberté takeover<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, the French courts approved a takeover bid for the AOM-Air Liberté airline group, previously controlled by Swissair. The successful Holcobid, which was supported by employee representatives, provides for the loss of some 1,900 jobs out of 4,600. However, the long-term viability of this economically and commercially ambitious takeover remains very uncertain.

• 17 Sep 2001
  France: Redundancies at AOM-Air Liberté<#PDF_LINK>

  In August 2001, following theHolcotakeover of AOM-Air Liberté, workers' representatives, the official receivers and the government drew up a redundancy plan for the airline. Some 1,400 job losses are planned through redundancies and voluntary departures, but the government and trade unions have attempted to find jobs elsewhere for all the redundant staff.

• 17 Sep 2001
  France: Action plan launched for people with disabilities<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, the French government launched a new action plan for people with disabilities, aimed at improving their integration into society and work. One of the key measures seeks to encourage employers to reintegrate disabled employees back into the workforce.

• 17 Sep 2001
  France: Company-level pay bargaining picks up<#PDF_LINK>

  A study published in August 2001 indicates that company-level pay bargaining picked up noticeably in France in the first quarter of the year, with pay accounting for nearly 18% of company agreements reached during this period, compared with a little under 14% in 2000. The rises agreed are relatively moderate and follow in the wake of the unpredictable increase in consumer prices in 2000.

• 17 Sep 2001
  France: Controversial working time agreement signed in insurance<#PDF_LINK>

  In late July 2001, an agreement implementing France's 35-hour week legislation in the insurance sector was signed by the FFSA employers' organisation and the CFDT trade union. The deal - which gives company agreements primacy over the sectoral agreement in certain circumstances - has been roundly criticised by the industry's other trade unions and has not so far been signed by other employers.

• 06 Sep 2001
  France: Second meeting on future of healthcare system brings few answers<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, France's Minister of Employment and Solidarity held a second meeting on the future of the healthcare system, bringing together experts, healthcare professionals and social partner representatives. The context is a rising level of health expenditure and problems in areas such as relations between healthcare professionals, the state and sickness insurance funds. Despite the pressing nature of the issues at stake, the meeting produced relatively few concrete results.

• 06 Sep 2001
  France: Collective bargaining in 2000 assessed<#PDF_LINK>

  French collective bargaining thrived in 2000. While the amount of national intersectoral bargaining remained relatively stable, there was a considerable increase in sector-level bargaining, particularly at regional and département levels. Company-level bargaining activity again showed a marked increase in 2000, comparable with that witnessed the year before. These are the main findings of the Ministry of Employment and Solidarity's annual bargaining report, issued in June 2001.

• 28 Aug 2001
  France: Agreement reached on 35-hour week at Ministry of Defence<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, an agreement on the reduction of working time at the Ministry of Defence was signed by the defence minister and the six representative trade unions at the Ministry. This national framework agreement is the first implementing the recent 35-hour week legislation in an entire government department.

• 07 Aug 2001
  France: Social partners agree common positionon collective bargaining reform<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, four French trade union confederations and three employers' organisations agreed a 'common position' setting out their wishes for a reform of the rules governing collective bargaining. The central plank of this proposed reform is the introduction of the 'majority principle' , whereby company-level agreements would be valid only with the support of unions which together won a majority of votes at the most recent workplace elections of employee representatives. This common position came at the same time as the Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, announced a government plan for the 'renovation' of industrial relations, to be implemented in consultation with the social partners.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Major swing to SUD in Michelin workplace elections<#PDF_LINK>

  A few months after difficult negotiations over a 35-hour week agreement which split trade unions and workers at Michelin, the French-based tyre manufacturer, elections of employee representatives were held at the company's plants in Clermont-Ferrand in May-June 2001. The results indicate a change in the balance of power among unions, and particularly growing support for the independent SUD.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Demonstration held against redundancies<#PDF_LINK>

  A major demonstration against the current wave of job losses in French companies, and calling for stronger legislation to prevent redundancies, was held in Paris on 9 June 2001. Between 20,000 and 40,000 people took part, notably including employees of around 30 firms who are threatened with redundancy. The major trade unions took little part in the demonstration, which was largely called by the workers themselves, political parties and independent unions.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Customised agreement reached on 35-hour week in catering<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, an agreement on implementing the 35-hour working week in the French catering sector was signed by a number of employers' organisations and trade unions. The catering sector currently has a 43-hour week and is predominantly made up of small and medium-sized companies. Given the industry's special characteristics, government ministers have agreed specific measures to support the move to the 35-hour week.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: MEDEF pulls out of social security funds<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's MEDEF employers' confederation confirmed its decision not to appoint new representatives to the administrative boards of the various general social security funds, in protest at the government's use part of the funds' surplus to finance social security contribution exemptions linked to the introduction of the statutory 35-hour week.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: CGT-FO endorses supplementary pensions agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's CGT-FO trade union confederation, which had initially rejected a supplementary pensions agreement reached in February 2001 by the MEDEF employers' confederation and the CFDT and CFTC union confederations, announced that it would now endorse the accord. Once CGT-FO has signed, three of the five nationally representative trade union confederations in the private sector will have endorsed the agreement.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Government announces increased paternity leave but abandons independent income for young people<#PDF_LINK>

  The annual Conference on the Family, held on 11 June 2001, was an opportunity for the French government to announce an extension of paternity leave from three days to two weeks, aimed at promoting greater equality between the sexes. However, the government did not satisfy expectations on the creation of an independent income for young people.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Report evaluates 35-hour week law at half-way stage<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's National Economic Planning Agency published a report seeking to present "the most balanced possible assessment" of the application so far of the recent legislation on the introduction of the 35-hour working week. The report presents a generally positive evaluation and contains some proposals that have fuelled controversy among the social partners.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Two-tier SMIC challenged<#PDF_LINK>

  From 1 July 2001, the French government increased the hourly rate of the SMIC national minimum wage by 4.05%. However, measures introduced to protect the wages of employees paid the SMIC in the context of the current change from a 39-hour to a 35-hour working week, mean that SMIC earners who have already moved to the 35-hour week will receive a smaller rise, accentuating an increasing diversity in minimum wage rates. The emergence of a "two-tier SMIC" has been criticised by both trade unions and employers.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Redundancy legislation to be toughened<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's national assembly gave a second reading to the government's "social modernisation" bill, whose wide-ranging provisions include measures on redundancies. In a context of increasing disquiet about a wave of large-scale job losses, the latest version of the bill contains much more restrictive measures on redundancies than the original proposals. Employers' organisations have rejected the proposals out of hand, while trade unions want the law to go further.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Council examines reform of pensions system<#PDF_LINK>

  The Pensions Stewardship Council was set up by the French government in 2000 to recommend reforms which can guarantee the future of the French state pensions system. At its meeting in July 2001, the Council finalised its overall budgetary forecasts for the major pension schemes, and laid the initial building blocks for reflection on ways of restoring the financial balance in the pension system.

• 28 Jun 2001
  France: Negotiations deadlocked in urban public transport<#PDF_LINK>

  Public transport workers in approximately 50 provincial French cities came out on strike on three occasions in May 2001 in the latest in a series of stoppages in a dispute over trade union calls for the introduction of retirement at the age of 55. However, the strike movement appeared to be showing signs of losing momentum, while negotiations were stalled in early June.

• 28 Jun 2001
  France: National Assembly approves legislation implementing unemployment insurance agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2001, the French National Assembly adopted at first reading legislative provisions implementing aspects of an agreement on the reform of the unemployment insurance system reached by employers' associations and some trade unions in October 2000. The issue divided the governing left-wing coalition, and the CGT and CGT-FO union confederations (which did not sign the agreement) and associations representing unemployed people remain opposed to the new measures.

• 28 Jun 2001
  France: Youth employment scheme consolidated<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the French government announced measures aimed at consolidating the "youth employment-new services" scheme (EJNS) introduced in 1997. The majority of the jobs created under the scheme will be renewed while, for the young people concerned, the government is seeking to establish support measures and promote training and the "professionalisation" of the areas of work in question. The main innovation is the introduction of special competitive exams for young people on the EJNS scheme in the national education system. Some of the anxieties about EJNS initially voiced by many trade unions remain. These relate mainly to the lack of a guaranteed job at the end of the scheme, the status of the jobs and the perceived inadequacy of the training offered.

• 28 Jun 2001
  France: 2001 NAP unveiled<#PDF_LINK>

  The Minister of Employment and Solidarity officially presented France's 2001 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment in May 2001. Consultation with the social partners was carried out differently this year - to their general satisfaction - and the various government ministries were more involved. The main thrusts of French employment strategy have been maintained, but with the addition of a more individualised and "qualitative" approach.

• 28 May 2001
  France: New board and statute for UNEDIC unemployment insurance fund<#PDF_LINK>

  Following the conclusion in late 2000 of an agreement reforming France's jointly-managed UNEDIC unemployment insurance scheme, UNEDIC's statute and organisational structure were renegotiated and renewed in March 2001. The CGT and CGT-FO trade union confederations, which did not sign the agreement, will nevertheless sit on the administrative board, while Michel Jalmain of the CFDT union was elected chair of the board in April.

• 28 May 2001
  France: Midwives take lengthy strike action<#PDF_LINK>

  On 20 March 2001, French midwives began industrial action in a dispute over pay, status, employment levels and working conditions. The dispute was still in progress in early May, though the momentum seemed to have waned, and the eventual outcome remained uncertain.

• 28 May 2001
  France: Psychological/moral harassment at work to be included in Labour Code<#PDF_LINK>

  "Moral" or "psychological" harassment at work - essentially bullying - is currently high on the French political agenda. In January 2001, while debating a "social modernisation" bill, parliament proposed including the concept in the Labour Code. In April 2001, the Economic and Social Council called for a more all-encompassing definition of such harassment and for its recognition as an occupational hazard, with resulting disorders to be considered industrial illnesses. The Council is also pushing for this type of harassment to be included in the civil service regulations and the Criminal Code.

• 28 May 2001
  France: Urban public transport workers strike again over retirement at 55<#PDF_LINK>

  On 23 April 2001, urban public transport workers took strike action in many French cities, demanding a right to retire at the age of 55. The strike following previous industrial action in March and earlier in April. The latest strike took place at the same time as the sector's trade unions and employers' association were holding a joint meeting, which saw a breakdown in the negotiation process.

• 28 May 2001
  France: Negotiations fail over civil service pay rises<#PDF_LINK>

  In late April 2001, the French government unilaterally determined by decree the pay rises to be awarded to civil servants in 2001 and 2002, thus ending talks with the civil service trade unions which began in November 2000. The unions have condemned the government for a lack of willingness to engage in dialogue with them.

• 28 May 2001
  France: Social partners sceptical over government Pension Reserve Fund bill<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2001, the French government published a bill providing an independent legal status for the Pension Reserve Fund (FRR) - which provides support for the state pensions system through financial investments - and ushering in investment by the fund in stocks and shares. This bill has received far from unanimous support from the social partners.

• 28 May 2001
  France: New economic regulations law adopted<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2001, the French parliament adopted a law on "new economic regulations", aimed at adding an "ethical" aspect to financial practices, clarifying competition rules, improving social dialogue and enforcing consumer rights. On the industrial relations front, the new legislation strengthens to some extent the powers of works councils in takeovers, mergers and proposed share exchanges.

• 28 May 2001
  France: Debate on reform of sickness insurance<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2001, several trade unions and doctors' organisations presented a proposal for the reform of France's jointly-run sickness insurance scheme, which runs contrary to the priorities followed by both the CNAMTS sickness insurance fund and successive governments since 1995. This proposal has restarted the arguments over the principles and priorities of the French social security system.

• 28 May 2001
  France: Swissair Group's French subsidiaries face restructuring and redundancies<#PDF_LINK>

  Despite improved economic conditions in the airline industry and a significant increase in passenger traffic, it became clear in April 2001 that the French subsidiaries of the Swissair group (AOM, Air Liberté and Air Littoral) are facing difficulties which could potentially lead to their demise, with the loss of many jobs. An injection of FRF 500 million should give the companies until the end of June 2001 to consider the various proposals for takeover or continued operation, as well as potential redeployment of employees.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: International Womens' Day - the French perspective<#PDF_LINK>

  8 March 2001 was International Women's Day, and French trade unions, associations and ministries took the opportunity to take stock of the status of women in both family and working life, through a series of campaigns, events and publications.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Public transport workers strike for retirement at 55<#PDF_LINK>

  In late March 2001, urban public transport systems in most French cities (excluding Paris) were hit by four days of strike action. Employees in the sector are calling for universal early retirement at the age of 55, as already enjoyed by many other transport workers.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Civil servants continue to mobilise over pay<#PDF_LINK>

  In an attempt to force the government to reopen pay negotiations, France's civil service trade unions called a second strike on 22 March 2001. However, it was much less well-supported than the strike held on 30 January. The government and the unions are still at odds over back-pay for 2000, despite a proposal by the civil service minister to raise the wages of the low-paid.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Metalworking seeks to improve integration of young and unemployed people<#PDF_LINK>

  An important agreement was signed in March 2001 by the social partners in the French metalworking sector, aimed at more effectively integrating young and unemployed people hired on specific employment policy contracts into collectively agreed pay and conditions.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Agreement signed on career paths in state hospitals sector<#PDF_LINK>

  In March 2001, the Ministry of Employment and Solidarity signed an agreement on career paths for state-run hospital staff with five of the sector's eight trade unions. The accord aims to improve pay scales for employees nearing the end of their career and to enhance promotion opportunities.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Referendum endorses 35-hour week deal at Michelin<#PDF_LINK>

  On 29 March 2001, the workforce of the French tyre manufacturer Michelin voted in favour of a draft agreement on the 35-hour week in a controversial referendum opposed by a number of trade unions.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Globalisation blamed for restructuring at Danone and Marks & Spencer<#PDF_LINK>

  In March 2001, under the pressure of economic and financial globalisation, the French-based food group Danone and the UK-based retail multinational Marks & Spencer announced a restructuring of their operations, including redundancies in France and the rest of Europe. The simultaneous announcement of job losses by the two companies resulted in an angry response and retaliatory action by French workers and their representatives, backed by politicians and the government.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Supreme court annuls decree on overtime for managerial staff<#PDF_LINK>

  In March 2001, France's Supreme Administrative Court annulled a January 2000 decree on the establishment of overtime quotas, in a case brought by the CFDT and the CGT trade unions. The unions had brought proceedings against the government for excluding certain types of managerial and professional staff from the scope of the annual overtime quota - set at 130 hours or 90 hours if working time is calculated over a 12-month period - since the adoption of the law on the 35-hour week in January 2000.

• 28 Apr 2001
  France: Industrial conflict breaks out at SNCF<#PDF_LINK>

  Late March and early April 2001 saw the organisation of a week of industrial action by France's six main rail trade unions, culminating in two day-long national strikes. The action sought to defend wages and pensions and oppose a restructuring of the SNCF railway company around its passenger and freight activities. The general industrial action was accompanied by a strike of train drivers, supported by the independent drivers' union, FGAAC, and the SUD rail union. The backdrop to the discontent is the plan to restructure the company and the overall liberalisation of the European Union rail sector.

• 28 Mar 2001
  France: Difficult 35-hour week negotiations at Michelin<#PDF_LINK>

  Negotiations on the reduction of working time started at Michelin, the French tyre-manufacturing group, in early 2000. These talks have set management against trade unions, and have also pitted the unions against each other. In early 2001, employees and unions were split over a plan to consult the workforce on a draft agreement reached by management and the CFDT union. The CGT union sought a court ruling to prevent the consultation, but in February the court ruled that it could be held on 29 March 2001.

• 28 Mar 2001
  France: Agreement reached on supplementary pensions<#PDF_LINK>

  In 10 February 2001, an agreement on reforming France's supplementary pensions schemes was signed by the MEDEF employers' organisation and the CFDT and CFTC trade union confederations. The CGT, CGT-FO and CFE-CGC unions opposed the accord, and uncertainties remain over its interpretation and implementation.

• 28 Mar 2001
  France: Unemployment rate falls<#PDF_LINK>

  The unemployment rate in France fell from 12.6% in June 1997 to 9% in January 2001, and labour shortages are starting to appear in some sectors. In early 2001, there has been considerable debate among the social partners and other parties as to the respective roles in the reduction of unemployment played by economic growth, the introduction of the statutory 35-hour working week, and the government policy of exemptions from employers' social security contributions in respect of low-paid jobs.

• 28 Mar 2001
  France: Report on the situation of young people<#PDF_LINK>

  In February 2001, France's National Economic Planning Agency issued a report containing a detailed analysis of the situation of young people in French society. It also puts forward some proposals, in particular the notion of giving all young people a 20-year initial training fund. This suggestion has fuelled debate and controversy, with social partners, family organisations, political leaders and members of the government all taking a stance on the issue.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Cash-in-transit guards strike over dangerous conditions<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2001, faced with an increase in attacks against them, French cash-in-transit security guards staged a one-day strike aimed at speeding up the process of implementing measures to boost security at work.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Government introduces negative taxation on low wages<#PDF_LINK>

  In early 2001, the French government took the decision to introduce an "employment bonus", subsidising the pay of workers on low wages - a form of tax credit or "negative taxation" system. The social partners are divided over the measure.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: FSU seeks liaison with other unions<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2001, France's largest teachers' union organisation, the Unitary Union Federation (FSU), held its third congress. It decided to set up an "intersectoral unitary liaison committee", open to all trade unions, thus demonstrating its resolve to seek a restructuring of the French union movement.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Strike in civil service as pay talks stall<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2001, pay negotiations in France's civil service came to a halt when the civil service trade unions rejected the latest proposals from the minister concerned. The unions called a day of action on 30 January, which was widely supported in the key parts of the civil service.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Chambers of agriculture election results<#PDF_LINK>

  Elections to France's départment-level chambers of agriculture were held on 31 January 2001. The Small Farmers' Confederation (Confédération paysanne) made significant gains in the electoral divisions for farmers. There were also considerable gains and losses for trade unions in the employees division - though it is difficult to draw comparisons with previous elections due to major changes in the make-up of the electoral base.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: New employee savings legislation finally passed<#PDF_LINK>

  February 2001 saw the adoption of new legislation reforming employee savings schemes in France. This followed a lengthy period of disagreement between the two chambers of parliament. The main aim of the new law is to increase the scope and duration of employee savings schemes, by extending them to employees of small and medium-sized businesses and increasing the "lock-in" period for employee savings from five to 10 years.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Workplace elections held at Ministry of the Economy<#PDF_LINK>

  Elections of employee representatives on the joint committees at the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry were held in December 2000 and January 2001. These elections are an important barometer of the support and representativeness of the various trade unions. The latest elections were particularly important since they followed the industrial action in early 2000 over a proposed reform of the Ministry. They produced some changes in the position of the major unions and also indicated a degree of fragmentation and dispersal, as well as polarisation between the Ministry's various divisions.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Agreement signed on early retirement in banking<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2001, a sectoral agreement on "an early retirement scheme for the banking industry" was signed by the AFB employers' association and the banking federations of the CGT-FO and CFTC trade union confederations. This five-year agreement will, through a system of new recruitment to compensate for early retirement, help to mitigate age imbalances in the banking workforce and address demands from workers. The agreement is based on the government's CATS early retirement scheme, which was introduced in February 2000.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Union unite against employers' proposals on supplementary pensions<#PDF_LINK>

  The "industrial relations overhaul" project initiated by France's MEDEF employers' confederation in early 2000 has given rise to a protest movement involving all trade unions in early 2001, including a day of demonstrations on 25 January. At the root of this protest are MEDEF's proposals on supplementary pensions, which involve increasing the retirement age and the contribution period.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Danone reignites controversy over redundancies in profitable firms<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2001, the French press reported the content of a leaked memo indicating that the Danone food-processing group is planning to close several biscuit production sites in Europe. This measure is reportedly aimed at improving the profitability of this division, which is nonetheless making profits, to forestall future demands for its divestment by shareholders. The affair has reopened the debate on the possibility of framing legislation to deal with mass redundancies in companies enjoying healthy economic positions.

• 28 Feb 2001
  France: Negotiations on the overhaul of industrial relations - one year on<#PDF_LINK>

  In February 2000, France's five main trade union confederations agreed to enter talks on the MEDEF employers' confederation's plan to draw up a joint framework for the "overhaul" of the French industrial relations system, and redefine the rules in order to create "decentralised, independent, partnership-based dialogue". MEDEF's proposal was designed to put an end to the perceived confusion over the respective jurisdictions of the social partners and the government. After a year of talks, agreements have been reached by February 2001 on three of the five issues on which discussions have started. In spite of this partial success, the overall result of the negotiations remains patchy.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: Unemployment insurance agreement finally endorsed<#PDF_LINK>

  An agreement reforming France's jointly-managed UNEDIC unemployment insurance scheme was formally endorsed by the government, at the third time of asking, in December 2000. This followed 10 months of intense negotiations, which became a power struggle between the government and the employers' associations and trade union confederations (CFDT, CFE-CGC and CFTC) which signed the deal. The new agreement reorganises the unemployment insurance system around a "back-to-work assistance plan" (PARE), under which unemployed people's eligibility for unemployment benefits is linked to them committing themselves to an individualised PARE contract. The National Employment Agency (ANPE) will be responsible for developing and implementing this scheme. The CGT-FO and CGT union refused to sign the new agreement, on the grounds that it does not improve the situation of unemployed people.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: Agreement signed on workplace health<#PDF_LINK>

  In December 2000, a number of French trade union and employers' confederations signed an agreement on "health at the workplace". The accord provides for longer periods between medical check-ups for employees, and a greater role for trade unions in prevention policy.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: Calls for special provisions on 35-hour week for small businesses<#PDF_LINK>

  In late 1999 and early 2000, some French employers' organisations have called for a moratorium on the application of the recent 35-hour working week legislation to firms with under 20 employees, currently planned for January 2002. The government, while willing to help small companies facing difficulties, is opposed to such a move.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: FEN education union holds 37th congress<#PDF_LINK>

  The Federation of National Education (FEN), one of France's largest teachers' trade unions, held its 37th congress in December 2000. It decided to change its name to UNSA-Education, to reflect its engagement in the National Federation of Independent Unions (UNSA), and adopted a proposal for educational reform.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: Economic and Social Council proposes measures to combat glass ceiling for women<#PDF_LINK>

  In December 2000, France's Economic and Social Council adopted an opinion setting out recommendations on increasing the presence of women in decision-making positions. The Council proposes a number of measures, such as improving the image of women, undertaking positive action and reviewing parental leave and childcare provisions.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: Workers with disabilities still face employment integration problems and discrimination<#PDF_LINK>

  Disabled people in France are benefiting from the improved employment situation considerably less than other workers. In spite of legislation on employment quotas, their integration into the mainstream workforce has been limited, while they are often subject to discrimination, particularly in employment. This feature provides an overview of the situation of workers with disabilities in early 2001.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: Social modernisation bill seeks to strengthen right to work<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2001, the French parliament approved at first reading a government bill on "social modernisation". Against the backdrop of an improved economy and a fall in unemployment, the government is seeking to to promote stable employment by limiting precarious jobs and redundancies and fostering the continuous adaptation of workers' skills.

• 28 Jan 2001
  France: The French social partners and the French EU Presidency<#PDF_LINK>

  The French Presidency of the European Union of July-December 2000 gave French trade unions and employers' associations the opportunity to participate in European Union debates, notably on the EU Charter of fundamental rights and the new social policy agenda. Moreover, in the second half of 2000, the social partners contributed to the implementation of France's 2000 National Action Plan on employment and started considering the 2001 Plan.