At the request of an inter-union bringing together six of the eight organizations represented in the company (CFDT, CGT, FO, Unsa, Usapie and Solidaires), Capgemini employees were invited to go on strike for an hour next Thursday, April 14. By leaving their office, for those in person or by symbolically disconnecting for those who work remotely. “The mobilization was followed in particular in Paris, Toulouse, Montpellier, Nantes and Pessac, near Bordeaux. There are several hundred participants on site or remotely, which is satisfactory in a company not used to strikes”indicates that the gallery, afternoon, Nicolas Lalande, trade union representative of the CFDT at Capgemini, based in Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). The six organizations united in inter-union represent about 65% of workers, while the other two unions, the CFTC and the CFE-CGC, refused to join the social movement.
A record fiscal year 2021 in all respects
This first strike that shocked the French group since 2008 is part of a context of very strong growth for this digital services company, founded in Grenoble in 1967. From its Paris headquarters, it now employs 325,000 people, including 32,000 in France, by integrating the Altran . workforce acquired in 2020† The world giant in the sector has indeed achieved a 2021 fiscal year that he himself describes as a “record”: 18.2 billion euros in turnover (+14.6% over one year) and 1.2 billion euros in net income share (+21%) , including 240 million euros for France. France recorded a 10% increase in revenue in 2021, the lowest growth in the regions where Capgemini is located.
“At the same time, the campaign is doing well with dividends rising, up 23% over a year. However, annual salary negotiations are slipping away with very classic management proposals,” argues Nicolas Theland. “Knowing that the history of the company leads to relatively low salaries. As a result, many people are stuck with inflation today and we see many leaving…”
Massive staff turnover
In a highly competitive context in Capgemini’s professions – web developers, project managers, IT infrastructures, etc. – the result is indeed a sales very high at Capgemini, about 20 to 25%, according to the CFDT. The company has itself acknowledged lost a quarter of its consultants last year while a third of the workforce now has less than a year of seniority. “These elements don’t seem to worry management, especially as the use of junior profiles is part of the company’s model and allows it to maintain its margin. In France, local management says they have no control over salaries and mainly play on the quality of life at work, but that is no longer enough”, assures the union representative.
On the claims side, the Mandatory Annual Negotiations (NAO) on wages are due to end on April 22. In addition to an envelope of 42 million euros for individual increases, the management of Capgemini France puts three million euros on the table, of which 1.84 million euros for collective increases that would lead to wage increases, 700 euros gross on an annual basis for salaries below 41,000 euros gross yearly and 450 euros gross per year above this threshold. The inter-union considers this collective budget notoriously insufficient and has only one claim: a collective salary increase of 2,500 euros gross per year.
Asked by La Tribune, the management of Capgemini states “are committed to maintaining a quality social dialogue” and specifies: “We are still in talks with all trade union organizations for the NAOs. We can already indicate that we are investing heavily in the lowest salaries within our company.”
