It is still time. This is the watchword for these 2022 harvests in the Marne. Dozens of offers are still published every day. “The offers are both at Pole Emploi but also on social networks”, explains Christophe Pernet, the vice president of the employers’ delegation to the General Union of Winegrowers (SGV). “Pickers, drivers or stevedores go directly to Facebook to find offers,” recalls Christophe Pernet.
Although it is still too early to quantify the missing personnel, Christophe Pernet confirms, “the job market in Champagne is tight as it is in other branches, it’s complicated throughout the year and it is difficult to recruit for certain harvest positions.” Champagne-Ardenne is indeed one of the rare regions to harvest everything by hand, so it needs hands. “We are talking about 90,000 to 100,000 offers on the Marne”, specifies Christophe Pernet.
Many students but also retirees
The profiles of the pickers are varied, the latter coming from all over France. “There are a few more students as the harvest begins at the end of August and the start of the academic year has not yet taken place”, recognizes Christophe Pernet. Other candidates, more atypical, in the vineyards: retirees. “They come because they need to supplement their income, given the current situation. The harvest is accessible to everyone, “as long as you have the physical condition to do it, because it’s tough”, he warns.
And yet, we lack arms. Employers therefore go to each of their advantages. “Feed at noon”, “Taste in the afternoon”, “Accommodation”, “Family atmosphere”, can be read on the advertisements. “Some even set up shuttles, they arrange to meet the grape pickers in a town and drive them by bus to the farm”, explains the vice-president of the employers’ delegation to the General Union of Winegrowers. It’s à la carte depending on the employers.
Ten days of non-stop work
The task is paid at minimum wage and the salary is therefore increased from the 35th hour. And then the pickers work seven days a week. No break during the ten days that the harvest lasts… Christophe Pernet is confident for this 2022 harvest: in the galipes the grapes are beautiful, which should attract candidates. The first pruning shears were scheduled for this last weekend in August. Even after the start of the harvest, it will still be possible to apply, warns Christophe Pernet: “There are always last minute movements, withdrawals and absences”.
The offers can be consulted on the Facebook pages “Jobs Vines and Cellars in Champagne”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/403243266537663
https://www.facebook.com/groups/226495849259169/