“
Surprise
” and “
concern
” dominate among Carrefour employees after announcements of discussion around a merger between the French group and the Canadian Couche-Tard.
“
I had the CEO (of Carrefour) the day after the announcement.
He didn't say much except that the company was studying the Canadian group's proposal.
This announcement was not intended to be known so soon, there was a leak in the Canadian press.
It was not at all expected
”, explained this Friday Sylvain Macé, CFDT union representative at Carrefour, on BFM Business.
Read also: Despite Le Maire's veto, Carrefour and Couche-Tard continue to negotiate a wedding project
The latter expressed the many questions raised by this project of rapprochement among the unions.
"
What is the nature of the project?
Are we looking at it financially?
Or is it a real business plan to create a global distribution giant?
And what are the social guarantees?
Has the subject already been discussed between the two companies?
This is what concerns us
, ”he said.
"
Employment is the main subject
"
According to him, the concern does not relate to the possible synergies between the two groups because “
there is no overlap, we are not on the same activities
”.
The main question is that of governance.
“
There are concerns in general about businesses in North America.
What project and what guarantees are we providing to employees in France?
The company must respond quickly,
”explains the union representative.
Read also: Couche-Tard, a Quebecer who has become a supermarket giant through acquisitions
The CFDT also questions the schedule.
“
Employees have been heavily exposed since the start of the health crisis.
They are already under tension and cannot remain in expectation
”, warns Sylvain Macé.
The latter also displayed his doubts following the refusal of the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, to support the project.
“
If the minister's words are to guarantee employment, we welcome it.
It remains to be seen how this is possible, if the government has the levers to do so.
Employment is the main subject
, ”he recalls.
