France: Workers at the Ciments Calcia plant in Couvrot are preparing to go on strike, according to L’Hebdo du Vendredi news. The reason has been stated as: ‘staff reductions, with the number of employees dropping from 142 to 132; unfilled voluntary departures; and increasingly difficult working conditions.’
In September 2023, a large number of employees mobilised to block entry to the plant and denounced ‘unsuitable’ working conditions and a ‘toxic’ work environment. The strike lasted 54 days and received the support of local politicians. However, Fabrice Chamarac, secretary of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) and the CGT union branch, said that operations were resumed without an official agreement to end the conflict, ‘relying solely on verbal commitments from management.’
Now, Chamarac says “We see employees completely terrified and people breaking down, including managers. In one year, they've summoned about 10 people. Sanctions, suspensions, warnings and threats are commonplace. Some even received their dismissal letters while they were on vacation. We've taken several cases to the labour court with our lawyer."
The CGT union has organised a general staff meeting for 3 September 2026, together with managers and the head of human resources. Chamarac said that unless the situation ‘calms down’, the meeting will likely result in a strike notice that will begin the next day.