SAM Foundry: bitter celebrations for the employees who have occupied the Aveyron plant since November

Outside, the Christmas tree contrasts with the signs of demand or of thanks to the population.

Inside, in what used to be a maintenance workshop, life is organized.

Coffee machine, microwave oven, benches and tables to plan meals, people present at night or monitoring the ovens.

In Viviez, in the Aveyron, the employees of the SAM foundry, a Renault subcontractor in cessation of activity for lack of a buyer, spent the holidays in their factory.

"We respect the classic shifts and teams take turns on weekends," explains David Gistau, CGT departmental secretary.

On this January 1, they are few.

The day before, they were 150 (out of 340 steelworkers) to share a meal for New Years Eve.

“We did not jump for joy for the new year, because for most, it means the end of their employment contract.

But we need to be together.

"

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Yvon, who worked for 41 years at SAM, sighs: “I have been rocked all my life by closures… We all come from the working class environment.

We have been taught this work value.

And there, we take it away.

Laurent Alexandre, mayor of Aubin and vice-president of Decazeville Community, is passing through.

“To keep the industry is to maintain public services.

But French industry obeys a capitalist logic ”, regrets the elected official, who does not rule out resigning.

David Gistau adds: “We will be part of the presidential campaign.

"

Despite the anger and incomprehension, the employees ensure that they have nothing to lose and underline the solidarity of the population, which does not hesitate to provide meals or supplies.

Monday January 3 at noon, it will also be stews of deer and wild boar, offered by a local hunting society.