Valeo Factory Workers Strike Amid Job Loss Uncertainty in France

Struggles at Valeo: A Community in Crisis

Struggles at Valeo: A Community in Crisis

Dozens of poignant funeral crosses line the road leading to the Valeo factory in northwestern France, each one bearing the names of nearly 300 employees facing the uncertainty of impending job losses. Since Monday night, the workers at this facility in Suze-sur-Sarthe—an area heavily reliant on the automotive sector—have embarked on a strike. The plant primarily manufactures battery cooling systems for electric vehicles, catering to the needs of car giant Stellantis, which encompasses brands like Opel, Fiat, Peugeot, and Citroën.

Alongside this factory, two other locations across France are also on the verge of closure, threatening the livelihoods of around 1,000 additional workers. The anticipation of official announcements regarding layoffs has created a tense atmosphere filled with anxiety and distress among employees. “We’ve seen many people crying, some even breaking down,” shared Odile Nasarre, a materials engineer and labor union representative. “We’ve also had some who made the difficult choice to leave early, not wanting to confront the uncertain outcome. There are couples working here, and the impact on families will be significant,” she told Euronews.

In a symbolic gesture of their plight, employees have affixed paper crosses to the factory gates. Didier, an engineer in research and development, highlighted his cross which features the years 1991-2025, signifying his 34 years of dedication to Valeo. “It all ends on a rather bitter note,” he reflected, pointing to the sad face he drew next to the dates. At the age of 57, Didier is skeptical about the prospects of retraining should the factory close its doors.

“The average age at our plant is 53 years. With the recent unemployment and pension reforms, many find themselves in a position where they must work an additional seven to eight years before they can retire,” explained Franck Goulette, a central union representative at Valeo. “Workers are understandably asking: ‘What will I do next? The unemployment benefits won’t stretch to cover the gap until I reach retirement age.’ This is a genuine concern for our employees,” he emphasized.

The context is further complicated by the unpopular pension reform signed into law by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023, which raised the state pension age from 62 to 64. A decline in car sales, coupled with companies like Valeo seeking cheaper labor abroad, and the European Commission’s ambitious plan to transition to all-electric vehicles by 2035, has triggered a crisis within the automotive industry in France and across the EU.

Since 2012, approximately 70,000 jobs have been lost in France’s automotive sector. Recently, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares acknowledged the possibility of factory closures in the near future, citing intense competition from Chinese manufacturers as a significant concern. Meanwhile, in Germany, Volkswagen—Europe’s largest carmaker—is considering shutting down one of its production sites, marking a first in nearly 90 years.

The European Commission is contemplating imposing hefty tariffs on low-cost Chinese electric vehicles to protect local industries. Many workers at the Valeo plant are left wondering about the future of the automotive industry in Europe. “Back in 2000, we had 2,000 employees here. Now, we are fewer than 300. Will there still be many of us working in the auto industry in the years to come? That’s the crucial question,” signed Odile Nasarre. Euronews attempted to reach out to Valeo for a statement, but the company declined to comment on the situation.

The fate of the three factories is expected to be determined by mid-December, leaving employees in a state of lingering uncertainty.

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