"
Concerns persist
" about the proposed takeover of Suez by Veolia and "
the dismantling is confirmed
", reacted the unions of Suez Thursday, after a meeting between the European Works Council (EEC) of the specialist in the treatment of water and waste and its competitor, which aims to buy it back.
“
At the end of the discussions, concerns persist and the dismantling of activities in France is well confirmed,
” wrote the Suez inter-union (CFE-CGC, CFDT, CFTC, CGT, FO) in a press release.
Read also: Suez shows his muscles before negotiating with Veolia
The Suez EWC, meeting on Thursday, received as a “
guest
” a delegation made up of the CEO of Veolia, Antoine Frérot, and four other executives of the company.
Veolia congratulated itself in a press release of “
constructive and cordial
”
exchanges
.
The Suez EWC must deliver its opinion by May 31
Suez and Veolia have been clashing since the announcement in early October of the takeover by Veolia of the 29.9% of Suez owned by Engie.
The multinational headed by Antoine Frérot intends to acquire via a takeover bid (OPA) the remaining 70.1% of the capital of its competitor.
In mid-January, Suez proposed a plan B by announcing that it had obtained an offer from the French Ardian and American funds GIP to achieve "
a friendly solution
" with its competitor.
“
The social commitments - which have been confirmed, the quality of the industrial project, the maintenance of French sovereignty remain strong characteristics of the project led by Veolia.
What the Ardian and GIP funds can neither offer nor guarantee
”, underlined Veolia at the end of Thursday's meeting.
"
There are no surprises in French activities because it is common knowledge that Veolia cannot keep Suez Eau France for competition reasons
," the group also declared.
The fate of Suez Eau France, which Veolia will have to cede in the event of a takeover, particularly worries the unions.
Veolia intends to sell these activities to the Meridiam fund.
"
Veolia's management has confirmed that the necessary disposals would not only affect Suez entities but also Veolia entities
", further affirm the Suez unions.
"
The inter-union expressly reiterates its request for a meeting with the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery
", Bruno Le Maire, "in
order to be able to expose the major social risks involved in this project. 'Hostile takeover
', concludes their press release.
The Suez EWC must give its opinion on the buyout project carried by Veolia by May 31.