Strike at SFR: trade unions are calling for better social safeguards in the proposed takeover
SFR and several subsidiaries of Altice France saw widespread industrial action on 3 November, with around 6,500 employees on strike, according to Unsa. The industrial dispute has centred on the proposed takeover of SFR by Bouygues Telecom, Free and Orange, valued at 20.35… billion euros, and above all on the fate of those who would remain outside the scope of the takeover. A draft agreement sent to staff representatives on 31 October has reignited tensions. It provides for a job guarantee until 31 December 2028 or early 2029, depending on the wording, but the unions consider it still far from adequate. A further round of negotiations has been scheduled for 6 November. Compensation The sticking points concern redeployment, severance pay, redeployment leave and, finally, training support. Staff representatives are demanding…