Valeo is cutting 868 jobs, what future for the Athis de l’Orne site?

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“At the moment in the automotive industry, the situation is unstable. On Monday, we can tell you that everything is fine and announce a layoff plan on Wednesday. If there is no awareness, the sector could die in France. »
This is the warning cry from Denis Bréant, CGT manager for the automobile sector. “What is the point of making 2 million electric vehicles for 2030, if all the parts come from abroad? »
Last week, the equipment manufacturer Valeo announced the elimination of 868 positions on eight of its French sites. The Athis-de-l’Orne factory (Orne) does not seem to be impacted by this restructuring plan. However, the bad news does not give cause for optimism.

A drop in numbers

“We are not affected at the moment, but for how long? We don’t know if we’re for sale,” asks Mickaël Duval, CGT delegate for the Athis site.

He highlights the drastic drop in staff for several years.

From 150 before covid, we went to 88. Employees leave on their own and are not replaced. We are no longer priorities for them.

A development which concerns those most concerned, especially with recent news, and which is worrying. “I don’t know if they’re going to keep us for so few people… We are a crumb. »

Why is the Athis-de-l’Orne site spared from these decisions? “We have been earning money for two years, this is what saves us », Estimates the CGT delegate, before philosophizing about the situation: “I have been in office for 21 years, and we have had to close for 21 years. »

Significant closures

However, the measures announced last week are concrete. “This is not a message that brings serenity. In my opinion, this first action can be part with a secondlater in time, the effects of which we do not yet know,” estimates Denis Bréant, also an employee on the Mondeville site.

The message is clear: Valéo turns off the taps with a view to competitiveness.

Positions are being eliminated on eight French sites: La Suze-sur-Sarthe, Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, Amiens, Reims, Limoges, Laval, La Verrière and Sainte-Florine.

“This is the first time that they have closed a site as important as Suze-sur-Sarthe. Tomorrow, the closure of Athis-de-l'Orne could be done easily, these are not not productions of the future. »

A healthy financial situation

The union leader is all the more dissatisfied as the financial aspect is doing well: “there is growth in turnover… We are cutting jobs to remain competitive. » Among the jobs lost, the field of research and development is the first impacted. “Valeo is not looking to invest in the search tool. »

Finally, the timing of the announcement annoys: “before the end of year holidays, it’s very average. »

Contacted, the management of the Athis-de-l’Orne site did not not wishing to communicate on the situation.

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