Employees of the Auchan hypermarket in Bar-le-Duc (Meuse) mobilized on Wednesday November 27, 2024, against the upcoming closure of their store and the loss of their jobs. More than a hundred people are threatened with dismissal by 2025, in this territory already experiencing economic difficulties.
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More than 150 people gathered at 10 a.m., Wednesday November 27, 2024, in front of the Auchan brand in Bar-le-Duc (Meuse). They gathered outside the store, peacefully, before parading through its aisles. This mobilization, at the call of the CFDT, CGT and FO unions, follows the announcement of an important social plan within the group. The multinational mass distribution company announced, on November 5, 2024, the closure of around ten of its stores and the elimination of 5% of its French workforce, or 2,389 positions in total, by June 2025.
The multinational Auchan announced, at the beginning of November 2024, the closure of around ten of its stores and the elimination of 5% of its French workforce, or 2,389 positions in total.
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© Jean-Christophe Dupuis-Rémond, France Télévisions
A few days after the news, these Meuse employees are still in shock. With the announced closure and sale of the Bar-le-Duc hypermarket, due to lack of “attendance” and of “profitability”108 jobs are threatened. Karine has worked at Auchan for over thirty years. “We are all surprised and disappointed with Auchan, we don’t understand. I spent 34 years here, it’s going to be difficult to turn the page, it was like a second home. We spent more time here than at home. “It’s going to be very hard for all of us and for our families.”deplores the employee.
After 27 years, half my life, I learn overnight that it’s over
Tristan, Auchan employee in Bar-le-Duc
This Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Bar-Le-Duc store is still for sale. Furthermore, in the event of a takeover, nothing requires the buyer to keep the same staff. Like the other employees, Tristan is concerned about his future. At 54, he spent 27 years at Auchan. “I feel sadness, pain. After 27 years, half my life, I learn overnight that it’s over. It hurts, I find that there is a real injustice.”sighs the fifty-year-old.
With the announced closure and sale of the Bar-le-Duc hypermarket, due to lack of “attendance” and “profitability”, 108 jobs are threatened.
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© Jean-Christophe Dupuis-Rémond, France Télévisions
There was a time, we were very proud to work for Auchan
Pascaline Decorcelles, Auchan employee and FO union representative
A concern shared by Pascaline Decorcelles, hypermarket employee and FO union representative: “There was a time, we were very proud to work for Auchan. Little by little, things got worse. Even if we were to find a buyer, we wouldn’t all be rehired. There are families behind it, loans to pay, it’s terrible. In the department, there have been a lot of layoffs in recent months Between the difficulties of Bonduelle, Bergère de France, Crédit Agricole and Auchan, the Meuse is doing very badly. has very few job opportunities”.
The negotiation of the employment protection plan (PSE) must begin on November 28, 2024. “We will not let ourselves be fired like trash. All the employees have invested enormously in this company, sometimes for decades for some. We are asking for a PES worthy of the name, we deserve it. We are angry, especially more than we know that Auchan bought almost 100 ex-Casino stores this year. The group received state aid and did nothing for our hypermarket. rich, who makes a profit, but who sacrifices his employees”castigates Pascaline Decorcelles, Auchan employee and FO union representative.
The negotiation of the employment protection plan (PSE) must begin on November 28, 2024.
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© Jean-Christophe Dupuis-Rémond, France Télévisions
The Auchan employees affected by this layoff plan hope to leave with their heads held high. In a joint leaflet, the FO, CFDT and CGT unions denounce the poor strategic choices of a “direction disconnected from reality” and the “sacrifice of workers in the name of profitability”. Among their demands, they demand in particular total transparency on the economic motivations of this closure, the establishment of “real negotiations”but also the “guarantee that everyone will be offered a store takeover or reclassification solution within the Mulliez galaxy”.
The Mulliez family owns many major brands such as Auchan, Decathlon, Leroy Merlin, Midas and Boulanger. According to the latest Challenges rankings, Gérard Mulliez and his family have a fortune estimated at 28 billion euros, a figure up 8 billion compared to 2023.
