A demonstration was organized in Reims, this Saturday, December 21, against the hundreds of positions lost in industry in Marne. Employees from Valeo, ArcelorMittal and Reims Aerospace made their voices heard.
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Around a hundred people gathered in the city center of Reims (Marne), Place Drouet-d'Erlon, this Saturday, December 21, 2024, to denounce the layoffs and job cuts in the Marne industry.
A few days before Christmas, ArcelorMittal Service Centers announced the closure of its Reims site for the month of June. “It's not easy. I've been working for Arcelor for 18 years. I still found a family atmosphere there”says Amar Ait Addi, maintenance agent at ArcelorMittal. “I really have a bitter taste. Because, already, it's brutal. It was announced a little before the end of year holidays. There may never be good timing, but this one is really very ugly”underlines Agnès Laurent, Force Ouvrière union representative at ArcelorMittal.
As for the automotive supplier Valeo, the concern is the same, with the announced elimination of around a hundred positions in Reims. “What management has told us is that at the moment, we have two-year visibility. If we don't have new markets by then, it will become very complicated. Which could subsequently lead to closure. This is our fear. indicates Pascal Valladou, FO general secretary at Valeo.
All denounce foreign competition, like the employees of Reims Aerospace whose company has just been placed in liquidation. 75 jobs are affected. “For us, it goes to India. It goes to Romania. The work is done in China too. So, we are not helped at all by our government, which means that the relocation is increasing”assures Jérôme Jesson, CGT union representative at Reims Aerospace.
Relocations also denounced by certain politicians. “From the moment companies have benefited from public funds, we should impose social conditionality which prohibits dismissals, demands LFI MEP Anthony Smith. The State has a right of inspection. He distributes money without funds without ever asking for accounts. It's the same for the Grand Est Region which, for example, gave hundreds of thousands of euros to Valeo. Enough is enough, we need to take control back.”
Preventing factory closures and retaining jobs in the region are one of the big issues for the next government.
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