On August 9, Amazon terminated its contract with Fast Despatch Logistics (FDL), a subcontractor in charge of last-mile deliveries. Since then, the approximately 1,000 employees of the British company in France have found themselves at an impasse.
According to representatives of the Economic and Social Committee (CSE), Amazon was the only customer of FDL in France. A staff representative contacted by the echoes claims employees received a simple “internal memo” to inform them of Amazon’s decision. No more details.
Since then, they no longer have a job but have not been laid off, he confided to southwest. It is impossible for them to register with Pôle Emploi to claim unemployment benefits and their only way out, resignation, is to renounce all their rights. To protest, they mobilize and slow down the work of various delivery agencies of the e-commerce giant.
Back wages, unpaid overtime…
In June, delivery men from the Strasbourg agency went on strike to claim their unpaid wages and denounce working conditions. Lack of work certificates, schedules drawn up at the last minute, unpaid overtime… Their demands were numerous. They went on strike again in early August, failing to find a solution with the management.
Amazon refuses to get involved
In the process, Amazon terminated the contract with the French subsidiary of FDL. “We are convinced that [nos sous-traitants] must comply with current laws, as well as with the code of conduct for Amazon suppliers”, justified the American giant in a press release.
After the mobilization of the employees, on August 20 the salaries for July were finally paid.
According to the echoes, the CSE’s lawyer, Pierre Dulmet, contacted the Bobigny prosecutor, since the company’s headquarters are in Villepinte, in Seine-Saint-Denis. A hearing will be held on September 5 in the commercial court for possible receivership or liquidation.
For its part, Amazon refuses to take part in the conflict between management and employees. “We have no visibility into the economic situation of the company, nor can we confirm if we were its only contractor,” said a spokesperson, quoted by the echoes.
Source: BFM TV
