Lidl workers in France have commenced an indefinite strike over wage issues and plans for mandatory Sunday openings. The strike, organized by five trade unions, including four affiliates of UNI Global Union (FO, CFDT, CFTC, CGT) and CFE, aims to push Lidl to improve working conditions and address understaffing concerns.
The FO union initiated strikes in Mayenne on February 7. With approximately 1,600 stores and over 45,000 employees, Lidl is the largest non-French food retailer in France. Despite its growth, the company has reduced its workforce by more than 2,200 since 2022. This reduction has resulted in additional workloads equivalent to two million working hours for remaining staff.
CGT members also participated in strikes at Montoy-Flanville on February 7. The reduction in workforce has affected service quality amid a retail sector price war. Instead of addressing these issues by investing in employees and operations, Lidl has imposed higher performance targets while salary increases from 2019 to 2024 barely matched inflation rates.
Lidl’s focus on efficiency has led to increased workloads and workplace accidents, especially in warehouses where incident rates are high. Additionally, Lidl’s plan to expand Sunday store openings with mandatory shifts faces strong opposition from all five unions. Currently, only half of the stores operate on Sundays with voluntary work for employees hired before 2016.
Negotiations between Lidl management and union representatives ended without agreement on February 5. As a result of this impasse, workers have embarked on an “unlimited strike.” While not all workers will strike simultaneously, rolling strikes will occur across France along with demonstrations to amplify their demands.
“UNI Global Union stands in solidarity with Lidl workers in France as they demand decent salaries and the right to rest on Sundays. Affordable prices must not come at the cost of workers’ livelihoods and well-being. We urge Lidl to reconsider, respect workers and return to the negotiating table with unions,” said Mathias Bolton, Head of UNI’s Commerce sector.
CFTC union members also joined the strike against Lidl in Provence.
