Third consecutive day of strike, in the production workshops of Stellantis in Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin). The CGT denounces working conditions unsuitable for the scorching period. The other unions have not followed the watchword, but all demand measures to deal with episodes of extreme heat.
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Up to 38 ° announced in Alsace for this Wednesday, July 2: the hottest day on three days of heat wave. In the workshops of Stellantis In Mulhouse, these weather conditions make work particularly painful for employees. “The workshops are in sheet metal and are not isolated, explains Thierry Valero, CGT secretary and elected CSE. Except in the painting unit Air conditioning is necessary for technical reasons, the other premises are ovens and we work in dantesque conditions “.
More than 40 ° C he says. However, employees are required to wear their work clothes. Thick cotton combinations, gloves, helmets, and fluorescent vests. According to Thierry Valéro, “discomfort is frequent but are not always recorded in infirmary. For vagal discomfort without loss of consciousness, the employee will simply be placed for a few minutes in an air -conditioned room, then he will resume his position. This amounts to camouflaging these incidents”. The premises are overheated, and the activity in itself produces even more heat: casts, forges, presses, machining machines contribute to climbing mercury.
Stellantis Mulhouse now has 4,000 permanent employees and a thousand temporary workers. The percentage of strikers is difficult to quantify, because the service taking is spread out. In addition, some remain at home, other debraying during the day, and the strikers declared for the day represent only a handful. Despite the low mobilization, working conditions during the heat wave have been regularly denounced for several years. A “high heat” protocol exists but it is largely insufficient according to the CGT.
The protocol in force currently in the Stellantis group is triggered when temperatures of 33 ° C have three consecutive days. The text provides for a bottled water distribution by taking service, and a “heat stop” of 10 minutes for afternoon teams.
Following the application a new regulatory framework in force in France since July 1, the management has agreed to a “heat stop” of 10 minutes also for the morning and night teams, and a second break for the afternoon teams. Advances on the margin and unconvincing for Thierry Valero. “This is the work rate that must be adapted, as the schedules he says. It would also be necessary to isolate the buildings, but it would require time and investments, and we are aware of it. But if we could initially reduce the work rate and stop overtime, it would already be a first step. Because some come to work on Saturday, six days in a row while the organizations are tired.”
Thursday, if temperatures regain reasonable levels, the strike will be lifted, but the claims to develop the work during the very hot weather remain current. “It is the role of the company to protect these employees” recalls Thierry Valero. Companies that will necessarily have to take into account a climate development announced for years, and more and more tangible on a daily basis.