News

In November last year, the DHL management announced the selling of the domestic express network in France for some 200m Euros. The new owner, the French financial holding company Caravelle Investment Funds stressed this would be a long-term investment, but there is already rumors about a soon profitable selling. The question is, what about the future of the 3.500 employees? Although the French Trade Unions had prepared an alternative business plan based on saving the domestic business plan, the company rejected all Union proposals and Frank Allen was not available for a meeting.

The fear of the French Trade Unions is justified taking into account the normal procedure of such investment funds. The strategy always seems to be the same, buying, restructuring and getting the most profit out of it, regardless of the consequences for workers and selling. 3.500 persons are depending on this game now in France and we believe that Caravelle has little incentive to retain the staff affected by this decision and has merely purchased DHL’s operation in France to expand its own network and customer list. The top priorities for our colleagues in France include negotiating social conditions and a social plan with the old DHL management which is transferable to Caravelle and trying to reach a job guarantee for 3 years for people moving to Caravelle. The French Unions already announced to fight till the end and with all available measures for them.

UNI europa is against the selling of the domestic express network in France and is disappointed that the DHL management wasn't prepared to listen to our French colleagues about alternatives and solutions.

UNI europa demands fair and open negotiations with the French Trade Unions by both managements, DHL and Caravelle Investment Funds, to find solutions to protect the workers.

UNI europa fully supports the French Unions in their fight for the future of our colleagues. We are solidary with them and call all affiliated Unions to support them in their struggle.