Three million people use the RATP bus network every day, the autonomous Parisian transport authority, and have been encountering difficulties on their journey for several weeks.
Sick leave is increasing among machinist employees, which cuts the bus network by a good quarter of its capacity, and the RATP is still struggling to recruit new employees.
In this context, the management has decided to set up a bonus of a cumulative amount of 450 euros to
“welcome the commitment and investment of the bus drivers present”
, declares a spokesperson for the RATP in
Figaro
.
"
It's not about punishing absentees
," he insists.
The distribution of this exceptional salary bonus will take place gradually over three months, from October to December 2022. All employees who have not been absent in October will receive 100 euros, then an additional 150 euros if their presence lasts until the end November, then another 200 euros if it lasts until the end of December.
Read also“Zero metro, zero RER”: towards a transport strike at the RATP on November 10
The device has aroused the circumspection of the unions of the group who question its legality, which the RATP defends.
"
Any employer is legitimate to set the terms of payment of this type of attendance bonus, on the condition that absences, whatever their reason, are treated in the same way, which is the case
", argues the spokesperson. of the group.
A legal principle confirmed by labor lawyer Thierry Meillat.
“
The bonus payment may be conditional on attendance, provided that this criterion is not discriminatory and that it applies to all absences which are not considered as effective working time
”, indicates-t- he.
Only maternity leave is an exception in case law, not the right to strike.
Any absence linked to a strike will prevent employees from receiving the bonus.
However, five RATP unions are calling for a vast strike movement in transport on November 10.
The right to strike may well be constitutional,
"the right is quite clear: the absence linked to the strike is charged to the payment of the attendance bonus
", concludes Thierry Meillat.
The group, of which former Prime Minister Jean Castex will take the lead, recalls that this attendance bonus complements other measures and actions already launched to recruit more drivers.
"
Partnerships with job boards and with the employment center, poster campaigns, cooptation, job dating or even the organization of job forums
", we list internally.
For their part, the unions have been asking for several weeks for new salary increases and better working conditions.