They had started their movement nearly a month ago to demand, in particular, recognition of the arduousness of their work. The garbage collectors of the Toulouse conurbation voted Thursday, January 13 the end of their strike and the release of the deposits after an agreement “satisfactory” with Toulouse Métropole.
“We are granted 11 days of additional leave for the arduous nature of our work”, explained to Agence France-Presse Nicolas Refutin, secretary general of Force Ouvrière (FO) of the Metropolis.
Toulouse Métropole had conceded nine during the last negotiation meeting, on January 6.
The extended collective profit-sharing bonus
Add to it “ten weeks in summer” period of low activity, “during which the Métropole agrees to make working time stick to real needs, which are much lower than during the rest of the year”, also specified Mr. Refutin.
The community has also accepted an extension of the collective profit-sharing bonus: it was 300 euros per year for the agents of three depots, it increases to 450 euros for all the garbage collectors of the six depots, welcomes the trade unionist.
“The drivers will also receive a bonus of 360 euros per year, and 30 contract workers will be recruited”, added Mr. Refutin. Finally, “a more attractive remuneration is offered for Saturdays and public holidays worked”, he said.
End of the “finished-party” system
The garbage collectors, on strike since December 16, demanded 34 days of rest, in compensation for the 35 hours a week which are now imposed on them, against 25 hours on average until then.
This change implies for garbage collectors the end of the system of “finished-gone”, which allowed them to return home at the end of their tour, that is to say between 10:15 and 10:30 a.m., having started at 5 a.m.
“The agreement found seems to be balanced, acceptable, if not ultra-satisfactory. Our arduous work is recognized and there is no loss of pay, which were our two main demands”, says Nicolas Refutin.
The signing of the agreement between the unions and Toulouse Métropole should be done during the day, officially recording the resumption of collection, from Friday, in this agglomeration of around 800,000 inhabitants.