LOWER WAGES TO SAVE JOBS ?

The management of the airline Ryanair has hit the headlines: it threatens to "fire 27 people" if the main union "does not quickly agree to accept lower wages".

The collapse of the Irish company's activity would require it. The majority union at Ryanair in France denounces "a blackmail at the dismissal" exercised by the Irish airline. Asked about this conflict, Bruno Le Maire said Tuesday that blackmail was "never a way" just like his colleague in charge of Labor, Muriel Pénicaud, said he was "shocked" and called Ryanair to "review his copy" , by bringing together its Social and Economic Committee (CSE) "urgently" to "really discuss, but not as blackmail".

The Minister of the Economy, however, recalled the existence of company agreements. "On the other hand, that there are long-term company agreements which make it possible to preserve employment, by inventing imaginative devices (..) that yes, it is even desirable", added the Minister.

Collective performance agreements

Faced with the threat of mass layoffs, the government is indeed encouraging more flexibility. “There are alternatives. I call on companies in difficulty to negotiate Collective Performance Agreements (APC) ”, hammered the Minister of Labor, Muriel Pénicaud, Sunday, May 31 on LCI.

Since 2017, a “performance agreement” system has enabled a company to open discussions on working time or remuneration, in return for a commitment not to lay off workers, or to raise wages again when the economic situation improves without jeopardizing the five weeks of paid leave or the minimum wages provided for in collective agreements.

But to be valid, a CPA must be approved by the majority union organizations. Employees are then forced to accept the principle, under penalty of dismissal. Since 2017, 350 agreements have been signed, concerning 67% of working time. But their number could explode in the current context with an emphasis this time on compensation.

Concretely therefore, the employee would accept a drop in his salary to keep his job. More and more companies weakened by the current context are considering this consideration. Like Derichebourg Aeronautics Services, a subcontractor for Airbus and Dassault. The company, which plans a social plan with 700 redundancies, has undertaken to reduce its scope if the employees agree to waive their transportation and / or meal allowance. FO, the majority union, accepted the principle.

Ryanair has offered its staff the choice between a salary cut for five years (-20% for pilots, -10% for hostesses and stewards from July 1) or a social plan that would affect a quarter of the workforce.

An option - widely used across the Rhine - that would save French jobs but decried by unionists who deplore that efforts are once again demanded of employees instead of shareholders.