A social conflict has been paralysing the activity of the Fibre Excellence paper mill in Tarascon (Bouches-du-Rhône) for several days. Since 21 September, some of the 280 employees at the mill have been on strike to denounce social regression following the "?plan from survie?" set up by management to turn the site around. The management refers to chronic losses of 200?000 euros per day. This "?plan from survie?" notably foresees general wage cuts of around 5%.
After a week of action, no agreement has been reached with management, which, according to the unions, refuses to enter into real negotiations. On Monday 28 September, the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture issued a press release stating that the State services are particularly attentive to the company's situation.
" ?Cette pulp production plant plays an important role for the territory, for the 280 people it employs, and for the very many indirect workers in the wood industry, particularly foresters, who need this outlet for their own activity. It also presents significant challenges at environnemental?." says the prefecture.
This social movement comes at a time when the company is at the heart of a lawsuit for air pollution. The mill, which belongs to the Canadian company Paper Excellence, is being referred to the criminal court for "? emission of substance polluante?", including heavy metals and nitrogen oxide gases. For several years, local residents and environmental associations have been denouncing the pollution generated by the plant.
