“They have been deprived of their salary since September. The employees no longer believe in it, they are at their wits’ end… Their situation is extremely difficult,” laments Steve Boucly, departmental secretary of the CGT Union in Marne. Only the solidarity put in place thanks to the partnership with the municipality of Montmirail brings a bit of comfort to the 5 employees of the ex-Leader Price installed in the town. These employees caught in turmoil since the takeover last summer by an unscrupulous manager, Imène Aoufi, who is also at the head of five other convenience stores located in Fontenay-Trésigny (Seine-et-Marne), in Trosly-Breuil and in Fitz-James (Oise), Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne) and Brassac-les-Mines (Puy-de-Dôme).
“Montmirail merchants made goods available to employees so that they could sell waffles, pancakes or other treats in a stand at the Christmas market,” says Steve Boucly. Thanks to this operation, they were able to raise 4,000 euros to share to avoid dipping into their savings during the holidays. An online prize pool also raised 1,000 euros. And the town of Montmirail has given them access to the solidarity grocery store since the start of the crisis.
But the hope lies above all in the next appearance before the Paris commercial court on January 16. The latter will have to decide on a possible judicial liquidation which will allow employees to claim severance pay. “We contacted the Reims commercial court but it said it was incompetent because the head office is based in Paris, so the hearing on December 23 was postponed until January,” points out Steve Boucly. For now, the 5 employees are still on sick leave or sick. Since November 27, the store's doors have even remained closed.
In the neighboring department, in Haute-Marne, in one of the stores also owned by Imène Aoufi, it is the same scenario. The salaries of the 8 employees have still not been paid. But, in a twist of events, on December 20: a new sign was installed on the facade of the former Leader Price. This is “MiamLand City”, which is originally a food wholesaler. The store was even partially restocked. However, the procedure continues its course. At the Industrial Tribunal, the CGT has just obtained compensation of 8,000 euros per employee. The next step will be judicial liquidation before the commercial court, the only possible outcome to protect employees.
For the online prize pool to help employees of the former Leader Price in Montmirail (Marne): click here!
