They were determined to strike hard on the weekend of Pentecost, which is heavy in traffic and high flows expected on the A7 motorway service area in Montelimar.
Autogrill employees, delegate to the French group Vinci Autoroutes, decided to strike on Friday, June 3. The restaurant room was closed at the beginning of the morning. A take-out service was also offered.
Sonia Mercoyrol (CFDT union representative, employee representative and member the Works Council) says, “This is my first strike in 29 years.” The strike was started by employees who gathered at the restaurant’s west side in the early hours of the morning. They were joined by others as they began their shifts. The union representative estimated that there should have been about 50 of the areas to strike, of approximately 90 permanent employees. This is the largest French site.
Employees who were fed up with their work and want to be heard, displayed many signs that said: “We have lots!” “, “Up balls of gold, down noodles again”, and “paid responsibilities”, as well as “fuel bonus
These employees are determined to speak out, with Mandatory Annual Negotiations (NAO), currently underway, and the next meeting set for Wednesday 8th. The shop steward stated that they demand all salaries align with the minimum wage increase. “I am a senior employee with 20 years experience, and I am in charge of the service. I earn 0.53 cents an hour less than the Smic,” laments a striking worker next to me. An employee who also receives a fuel bonus. Bollene, Pierrelatte and Meysse all come from far away. With the rising price of petrol, this is no longer possible. They also demand an increase in the number of Sundays and nights. “We are protesting for all the French sites.” They claim they are ready for a renewal of the movement on Saturday, June 4.
