Carrefour faces the discontent of employees - December 16, 2010
Saturday promises to be a significant day in Carrefour hypermarkets. Not just because the last Saturday before Christmas is traditionally one of the biggest days of the year in terms of turnover. But also because the CGT union's third distributor, social mobilization calls for that day. At issue: the reorganization of the business model Carrefour. This provides for the removal of department heads and the organization of work in four teams. Shelving and begin at 2 o'clock in the morning, against 4 pm today.
This project is in testing since last summer on two hypermarkets. November 25, FP, the majority union, accepted the extension has more than 15 hypermarkets in France, including those of Beaujoire Nantes, Marseille Bonneveine Venissieux, Rennes Cesson, Claye-Souilly and Chambourcy.Evidence that management is trying not to force it through.
The CGT is the only union movement nationally to call Saturday, he should have limited effects on activity. It could however be followed particularly in the Southeast, especially in Marseille, with partial walkouts, block store entrances and leafleting. Walkouts, rare at Carrefour, have already taken place this fall in Wasquehal and Nice.
This reflects a growing malaise among French employees of Carrefour. They are worried the project introducing the night work and primarily affects the use of the savings plan of 2.1 billion euros provided by Lars Olofsson, Executive Director of the group online pay day loans.The implementation of the plan announced in mid-2009 to be completed late 2012.
James McCann, the new chief executive of Carrefour France, poached a year ago at Tesco, is responsible for reorganizing and restart the machine Carrefour. Hypervolontariste able to combine strategic vision with a sense of detail rarely seen this level of responsibility at Carrefour, the Englishman is determined to shake up old habits home.
Reforms too fast
But in recent weeks, the regional headquarters trace alerts on the consequences of too rapid implementation of reforms.An uncommon practice in the group, some analyze that as a lack of support of the regional and store managers.
"A sweep in the baronies of Carrefour was given the seat since the arrival of Lars Olofsson, but there is still work to be done at the regional offices and branches of the store, says one expert group. James McCann will get rid of a number of local barons. "
At the headquarters of the group, it is estimated that the criticism is proof that things are moving. Especially, it is hoped that employees will primarily mobilized Saturday to the achievement of sales. Christmas sales are indeed crucial for the group, which announced in late November a profit warning, partly because of disappointing operating performance in France.