The story of Kalhyge in Pouzauges (Vendée) will continue without them. More than ten workers have just been dismissed, five have been laid off and the situation continues to evolve. Management asked them, in August and September 2024, for a medical certificate attesting to vaccination against hepatitis B, “a legal obligation of the Public Health Code”, explains Stéphane Rouillard, regional director of Kalhyge in the West.
Exasperated by the working conditions, “low wages” and a “uncertain future”, this request was received as “one drop too many” for many employees. A strike followed on October 3, then the arrival of management in Pouzauges on October 21 to announce “reconstruction of the factory” and the “maintaining teams in place”. The same day, the first invitations to a pre-dismissal interview were sent.
From site reorganization to layoffs
For several years, difficulties have been accumulating and intertwining for Kalhyge in Pouzauges: removal of social benefits for employees in 2020, fire at the production site on August 24, 2022, decision by the management of “rationalize our resources and costs” in 2024. The organization of work on the Pouzauges site is modified with the end of the separation between the clean linen team and the dirty linen team.
It is to implement this reorganization that management requests certification of vaccination against hepatitis B. Many employees refuse, claiming that “the health of all must be preserved, but while respecting our personal choices. However, employment contracts stipulate that one must have satisfied any compulsory vaccination before taking up employment, but not after. » That West France was able to verify in a contract.
Despite their refusal, most thought they would keep their jobs after the announcement of the “maintaining teams in place”, by management on October 21. “They lied to us”employees say today. “The teams will be maintained yes, but not unvaccinated people, because that is not possible”defends Stéphane Rouillard. People who have been made redundant also say they have “finally agreed to be vaccinated during the pre-dismissal interview. We don’t understand. » Management did not wish to comment on this point.
In the company, the climate of tension has increased since the first layoffs. “We fear going to work, morale is at its lowest. We keep in touch with colleagues who have been made redundant, but we worry about how people might react. It could end badly,” testifies an employee.
Stéphane Rouillard also deplores the situation: “What pains me is that as part of the reconstruction of the site, we need everyone, their know-how. We are disappointed to have come to part ways with our collaborators. »
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