RATP announced on Wednesday February 21 that it had signed an agreement with three unions – FO, UNSA and CFE-CGC “to improve the quality of life at work” and experiment with a four-day week in order to retain staff at the Régie, faced with an increase in resignations.
The experiment with the four-day week began on January 18 and concerns four lines – 5, 7 and 9 of the metro and the RER B -, without reduction in working time. The system concerns station agents, but not drivers. It provides for a weekly organization for managers and controllers with four days worked and three days off, with an increase in daily working time of one hour and fifteen minutes. Station and station reception agents will work on a cycle of four days followed by two days of rest, with no increase in daily working time.
For the moment, 170 agents have volunteered to test the system during a first phase of 42 days, possibly renewable. It will then give rise to feedback to find out whether it is extended or not. Ultimately, five thousand agents could be affected.
The CGT-RATP refused to sign the agreement
The agreement includes other measures to promote “loyalty and attractiveness of the company”, according to the RATP, faced with staffing problems affecting the bus and metro supply. It provides for a “significant increase in our capacity to accommodate more employees”indicated Jean Agulhon, director of human resources for the group.
To reduce travel time between home and work and “taking into account the price of real estate in the Paris region”, the RATP sets the objective of housing 1,200 families compared to 860 today. It also plans to double the number of places offered in daycare for its employees, with hours adapted earlier in the morning and later in the evening. Finally, the Régie will invest in 140 exoskeletons to equip twelve of its workshops and assist employees occupying the most difficult positions with maintenance.
“The negotiation was long and demanding, we have been on these issues for more than a year, so we are very satisfied to have been able to conclude this agreement”, greeted Mr. Agulhon. Only the CGT-RATP (the group’s first union) refused to sign. “This agreement is a compilation of mandatory regulatory texts, from which management cannot escape. The rest is a cartload of declarations of intentions”reacted the union in a press release.