"Every job lost means a family shakes" the slogan posted in front of the DS Smith La Rochette plant reflects the concern of the 90 employees facing the closure of their site. In this Savoy valley, employees, elected representatives and trade unions are denouncing an end imposed without consultation, a decision taken out of context and without any search for alternative solutions.
Established over 150 years ago in Valgelon-La Rochette, the plant, which manufactures cardboard packaging mainly for the food industry, employs 90 people. In January 2025, along with the other sites of the British DS Smith Group, it was transferred to the DS Smith Group under the umbrella of the American company International Papier.
Its closure, announced at the beginning of November, is due, according to management, "an accumulation of losses over several years" and a "sustained deterioration in economic conditions" . These arguments are disputed by employee representatives, who see the decision as a purely financial one.
A delegation meets with the Ministry of Industry
On Wednesday December 10, Sébastien Martin received a delegation of trade unions, local elected representatives and members of parliament at the Ministry of Industry.
The CGT was represented by Carlos Dos Santos, DS Smith shop steward, Cédrick Laparlière from Filpac and Kévin Dos Santos from the UD CGT Savoie. They all denounced the decision to close the plant without any solid industrial justification. The CGT Savoie believes that the site is technically and economically viable. "It's not the site's performance or the work of its employees that are undermining La Rochette's future, but decisions taken over several years and devoid of investment."
According to union representatives, no one in the sector has been approached with a view to a possible sale, in total contradiction with the spirit of the Florange law. No contact has been made with Saica, Rossmann, Smurfit Kappa or VPK. "It's purely and simply a financial choice" states the CGT in a press release.
The delegation called for a monitoring committee to be set up, bringing together local authorities, unions, government departments and management. It also called for a method agreement guaranteeing real social dialogue, and a department-wide economic and social conference. The Minister undertook to refer the matter to the Prefect of Savoie in order to set this framework in motion.
90 cardboard coffins in front of the DS Smith factory
At La Rochette on the same day, employees went on strike from 10am. They built a wall of cardboard boxes bearing everyone's name and length of service. A symbolic action aimed at making visible what a closure actually means.
In a speech read on the spot, Maud Michaux, sales assistant for DS Smith Savoie, recalled: "This decision was taken at a distance, far from the field, without coming to look at the human reality behind it. (...) You don't close a site like deleting a box on an Excel spreadsheet: you destroy a social fabric, a local economy, and lives."
The employee also pointed out that "some customers are starting to worry" but that the teams remain mobilized: "We're doing our job right up to the end, despite the pressure, despite the worry."
"If we're here today, it's to show our support for our elected representatives who have gone up to Paris. (...) We're not asking for a miracle. We're asking for consideration, dialogue and solutions commensurate with what is being destroyed here."
Absent management, a locked strategy
At 11 a.m. on the same day, an inter-union delegation (CGT and FO) visited DS Smith France's head office in Puteaux to seek clarification. Management was informed of the visit, but was not present. Only the social relations manager received the representatives. Discussions revealed a complete disengagement: local management refers to head office, which in turn refers to the site. A double game denounced by the unions.
The firm Alixio, responsible for supporting the reorganization, has also been called into question. The unions believe that the firm's involvement was limited to validating the closure scenario, without any consideration for possible alternatives.
Initial discussions to follow
A first negotiation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday December 16. Staff representatives are waiting to hear back from management on their demands.
