Sanofi’s CFDT and CGT unions called on Wednesday, October 16, a renewable strike starting Thursday to oppose the planned sale to a US fund of the consumer health sector of the Opella group, which markets Doliprane.
The CFDT, Sanofi’s main union (34%), asks “A general strike movement starting October 17 to express their anger at the sale of Opella”at all the group’s sites, according to a brochure seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
For its part, the CGT launches a “Clear and frank call, unlimited until the withdrawal of the sale of Opella”in the two French Opella plants in Lisieux (Calvados) and Compiègne (Oise), Fabien Mallet, a union member of CGT Sanofi France, announced to AFP.
This decision was made following a letter from management addressed to employees who “keep downplaying things”Humberto de Sousa, a member of the CFDT Sanofi union, told AFP. “He has not moved one bit, he still intends to sell to an American fund and is putting the plan into action, regardless of government orders”he added.
The possible transfer raises strong concerns among public opinion and among several political leaders, who highlight the issues of health sovereignty and employment.
The government asks for guarantees
On Wednesday, on France Inter, the Minister of Health, Geneviève Darrieussecq, stated that she would like to obtain guarantees of “production in France”, “normal supply” in pharmacies and “sufficient stock” Doliprane. On Monday, on the way to Lisieux, the Minister of Economy, Antoine Armand, had already stressed that the government would demand ” extremely precise, strong and intangible conditions for the future.
On Tuesday, during questions to the government, Armand also stated: “ Study the possible presence of the State on the board of directors, as well as its participation in the capital. » by Opella. The minister also requested a “comprehensive evaluation” public aid that Sanofi has received during the last ten years. a review “essential to inform discussion and political decision », According to the general secretary of the CFDT, Marylise Léon. The latter believes that“it should not be [la cession] comes true”. “We cannot ask a group to commit once the decision has been made, it does not work, it never works. If the upstream conditions are not met, it does not work”he insisted.
