News

UNI Global will this afternoon, 31 July 2019, sign yet another global agreement for the finance sector. Following five months of constructive negotiations with French cooperative bank group Crédit Agricole S.A., workers across the 47 countries in which it operates will now benefit from additional and guaranteed workplace rights and protections.

Crucially, this includes full commitment to respecting fundamental human and trade union rights including on freedom of association, collective bargaining, social dialogue, and information and consultation.

The bank vows not to tolerate any intimidation, harassment, retaliation or discrimination against trade union members and activists. It will also prevent and combat any form of moral and/or sexual harassment, with clear and strict procedures to be put in place and full support offered to the victim.

Crédit Agricole guarantees a diverse and inclusive workplace, with equal treatment and opportunities for every employee at each stage of their career. This includes the introduction of an unprecedented 16 weeks paid maternity leave.

The agreement is the first of its kind for the finance sector to have a chapter specifically on digitalisation. Going forward, the bank will strive to limit the negative impacts of new technologies on employees and their working conditions whilst ensuring all workers receive the training and re/up-skilling necessary for the jobs of the future. The agreement introduced provisions to ensure protection of workers data privacy inspired by UNI global Union’s Top 10 Principles for protecting workers’ data rights and Crédit Agricole’s Personnal data protection charter.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman said, “Beyond securing the fundamental human rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining at Crédit Agricole, this agreement puts in place strong polices to stop sexual harassment and ground-breaking protections on workers’ rights and digitalisation. Crédit Agricole’s commitment to training and upskilling shows that digitalisation does not have to mean displacement. It can mean better work and new kinds of jobs when companies commit to workers’ wellbeing. We look forward to a productive partnership with Crédit Agricole.”

Bénédicte Chrétien, Head of Human Resources, Crédit Agricole S.A. said, “The human is at the heart of the Group’s new strategic plan. We rely on a strengthened social pact to provide a framework of trust for all Group employees. This agreement reinforces our human commitment at an international level with a common social foundation for all employees of Credit Agricole S.A. all around the world.”

The agreement is valid for three years, with strong mechanisms to monitor progress and resolve any disputes over its implementation.

The agreement was made possible by the foundation laid by Crédit Agricole’s European Works Council and the UNI Finance Trade Union Alliance of Crédit Agricole.

UNI Global Union Press Contact: Richard Elliott +41 79 794 9709 richard.elliott@uniglobalunion.org