“I was getting ready to go downtown on foot.” This Thursday, Simone, 91, did not hide her relief to see the bus arrive which connects the Argentine district to the center of Beauvais (Oise). “I’ve been stuck at home for three days because of the bus strike,” she confesses. At my age, I no longer want to take my car. There, I had an appointment with the dentist. »
Since the start of the week, the Corolis urban bus service in Beauvais has been on strike, with unions and management unable to agree on mandatory annual negotiations. This Thursday, the return to work of some drivers made it possible to offer users a minimum service on two lines. “We were able to run two buses in the morning and two in the afternoon on line C1 which links Argentina to Saint-Jean and C2 which links the hospital to Auchan,” explains Grégory Saunier, director of Corolis.
But if the negotiations continue, the conflict will bog down and bus traffic will still be limited to the minimum service this Friday. “We are asking for a 4% salary increase, a bonus on added value of 1,300 euros and the extension of the night bonus, of 15 euros, from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.,” explains Aziz Bourraya, CGT delegate.
“What do old people do? »
So, since Monday, walking has been the means of transport used by many residents, such as Diane. “It took me 3 hours and 20 minutes to make the round trip between the Saint-Jean district and the hospital,” she explains. I had medical appointments that I couldn’t afford to miss. I’m not telling you the condition of my feet. »
In front of the Corolis agency, Place Clémenceau, Christopher and Aurélie are looking for the bus timetable to return to Saint-Jean. “We stocked up on groceries in the supermarkets in case it lasts,” they explain. There are small stores in the area but they are much too expensive and going to the area on foot with bags is complicated. We are young, but what do older people do? »
Grégory Saunier, director of Corolis, recalls that “his door remains open” in order to continue social dialogue. “At the last meeting, we granted the 4% increase requested with retroactive effect in January,” he says. We also offer 350 euros of profit-sharing with a bonus linked to attendance and punctuality. We are also doubling the value sharing premium, bringing it to 200 euros. But the unions are sticking to their positions. Granting the extension of the night bonus would amount to increasing the salary of our 80 drivers by 11%, this is impossible in the current context. »
