France: Heineken workers to strike over pay in France

Workers at a Heineken brewery in France have reportedly resorted to strike action in a dispute over pay, Yahoo News reported on December 11.

Local media reports suggested more than 100 staff at the Mons-en-Baroeul site in the city of Lille began industrial action on Monday (9 December) as they seek an annual salary increase of €200 ($210).

Heineken workers at two breweries in the Netherlands have downed tools in recent weeks. However, that pay dispute was settled this week as the Amstel brand owner put forward a two-year offer, including a 4% salary increase in 2025 and a further 3% rise the following year.

Trade unions in France representing the Mons-en-Baroeul workers claim some have not had a salary increase since the 2003-04 negotiations.

Approached by Just Drinks to ascertain the status of its talks with staff and for an idea of how long the brewer expects the negotiation process to last, Heineken declined to comment.

This publication has also asked the two trade unions involved for more details on the workers’ pay demands.

The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) and the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) had also not replied at the time of writing as Just Drinks sought to confirm if the industrial action is still ongoing.

However, Jean-Marie Cocheteux for the CFDT was quoted in the French media as saying: “We had in our list of demands a general increase of 5% or 200 euros. The management came in with 0.8% to end up with 1.7% and only for the production agents.

“We want an increase in wages, for everyone, supervisors and managers are also affected by inflation.”

Meanwhile, Christophe Dutilly for the CGT reportedly said: "The company used to be known for paying well, but today, we are well within the average.

“For the past eight to ten years, we have had a turnover of employees, they have difficulty recruiting, the attractiveness of the name is no longer there."

11 December, 2024