French unions reject short-time working scheme for rubber industry

Vitry-sur-Seine, France – French rubber industry employers have been unable to secure an agreement with trade unions for the introduction of a short-time working scheme introduced last year by the French government.

In a 21 Jan statement (translated), French polymer industry employer bodies SNCP and Ucaplast said they ‘regret that an APLD (activité partielle longue durée) agreement could not be signed in the rubber industry.’ 

Negotiations around the introduction of the APLD began in the rubber industry in September 2020 - resulting in an agreement dated 4 Nov 2020. 

This agreement was signed by employer bodies SNCP and Ucaplast and, on the employee side, by the CTF-CFDT trade union. 

However, three of the other main trade unions, the CFE-CGC Chemistry; Fédéchemia-FO and FNIC-CGT, opposed the agreement. 

As the three unions represent around 70% of the vote, SNCP said ‘the agreement of 4 Nov 2020 is therefore not applicable in the rubber industry.’ 

As a result, companies facing a long-term downturn in business must negotiate individual, in-house agreements with employees regarding reduced working-time arrangements. 

The situation, commented SNCP, ‘is very regrettable and detrimental’ to employees and companies – particularly SMEs – in the rubber industry.’