News

Auchan trade union representatives from France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain met on 29 January in Brussels to discuss common problems in Auchan stores in Europe and to coordinate a common strategy with the help and support of UNI Commerce.

Participants identified common challenges in working conditions and trade union relations, which are similar to all countries where Auchan operates in Europe. The Company is everywhere using means to delegitimize trade unions inter alia by facilitating the creation of yellow unions, by creating parallel structures or similar services traditionally organized by Unions and, more in general, by spreading a negative image of the Unions among Auchan workers.

The dialogue is almost inexistent and where it exists, it is only apparent and formal. Collective labour agreements either do not exist and only minimum wage applies or is very weak and working conditions are worse than in other big retail companies.

The takeover of Real by Auchan in Romania and Poland is also creating serious problems in terms of trade union recognition, deterioration of existing rights and disregard of fundamental rights of workers.

The European Works Council is also a weak body where very poor information are shared with employees’ representatives and consultation does not exist.

Participants from the countries concerned wished to reinforce the trade union network and to establish a common strategy with a view to explore possible means to improve trade union relations and to allow UNI Commerce to be party of a dialogue with the company.