The unions of parliamentary collaborators denounced Thursday, February 27, “ false allegations ” of the leader of the deputies LREM Gilles Le Gendre, who affirmed not to have “ knowledge of specific suspected cases ” of moral and sexual harassment in the Assembly.
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Asked about France Inter by an auditor on cases of harassment within the majority group, Mr. Le Gendre spoke of " some labor disputes " involving MEPs-employers treated by industrial tribunal, with " questions, or the argument , or the means of harassment ”. “ I am not aware of specific suspicious cases. However, we must be intractable on this subject, "he added, recalling that" a prevention and treatment system "had recently been put in place by the Assembly," a very good thing ".
In a press release, the seven union organizations of parliamentary collaborators (CFE-CGC, CFTC, CGT, CFDT, SNCP-FO, Solidaires and Unsa) criticized him for " closing their eyes once again " on this subject which " has marred our institution in an unprecedented way in terms of its magnitude since the start of this parliament ”. " The seven unions of parliamentary staff that we represent are particularly scandalized by the false allegations of President Le Gendre, " continue the unions.
" Individual cases, sometimes dramatic "
They point out in particular that they asked him in September 2019 "for an emergency meeting on this precise subject, following the revelation by the press of a case of sexual harassment by a member of the group whom he presides ”. " No. Moral and sexual harassment is not an "argument" or "a means" that employees can "possibly raise" before the courts. These are facts. Facts that can shake a life ”, continue the representatives of the approximately 2,000 collaborators of deputies. “ As representatives of trade union organizations, we are aware of individual cases, sometimes dramatic. The negation of these situations is irresponsible, "they insist.
Harassment complaints at the Palais Bourbon are rare. But the press regularly echoes industrial tribunal proceedings against deputies. Charges denied each time by the interested parties, some filing complaints for “ slanderous denunciation ”, like Pierre Cabaré (LREM).