France’s La Poste faces union backlash over demand to recover hours lost during wildfires
La Poste is facing strong criticism from trade unions in Nouvelle-Aquitaine after announcing that employees whose work was disrupted by wildfires would have to make up hours they were unable to work.
The dispute follows the closure of sorting facilities in Cestas, south-west of Bordeaux, during the fires that affected the region from July 22. While the postal operator maintained employees' salaries during the disruption, it has also indicated that certain paid hours would subsequently have to be recovered.
Employees affected by fire-related closures
The controversy centres on workers who were unable to perform their duties because postal facilities were temporarily closed or because evacuations prevented them from reaching their workplaces.
In a message sent to employees on July 26, La Poste's executive management for Nouvelle-Aquitaine described the situation as exceptional.
The company said employees would retain 100% of their pay if La Poste itself suspended activity at an affected site. However, it also stated that the corresponding paid hours would subsequently be carried over.
Where a site remained open but an employee could not reach it because of the fires, La Poste said alternative work could be offered at another location. If that was not possible, employees could be required to take leave.
Unions denounce the decision
The policy has provoked an angry response from unions representing La Poste employees in the region.
Johnny Perré, a postal worker and departmental secretary of the CGT FAPT Gironde, has publicly criticised the decision, arguing that employees should not be required to compensate for working time lost because of exceptional circumstances affecting their safety and workplaces.
The union reaction comes as authorities and communities continue to deal with the consequences of major wildfires in the region.
Union representatives have warned that the dispute could lead to significant industrial action if the company maintains its position.
What does French labour law provide?
La Poste's position refers to Article L3121-50 of the French Labour Code, which provides for the possibility of recovering hours lost following a collective interruption of work caused by certain exceptional circumstances.
The provision covers interruptions resulting from accidental causes, severe weather conditions or force majeure.
The legal framework nevertheless remains at the heart of the dispute, with unions challenging the appropriateness of applying such provisions to workers affected by the wildfire emergency.
A broader debate over solidarity
The disagreement has taken on particular resonance because the fires forced evacuations and disrupted daily life across parts of the region.
For unions, asking employees to recover the hours they could not work during the emergency conflicts with the principle of solidarity highlighted during the crisis.
La Poste, meanwhile, has maintained that salaries were protected during periods when operations were interrupted, while setting out conditions for managing the lost working time.
The dispute could now become a wider labour issue if negotiations between management and unions fail to resolve the disagreement.
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