And “phew” of relief undoubtedly ran through the ranks of Grand Frais employees in the three Rhone towns of Pierre Bénite, Rillieux-la-Pape and Bron. For the first time in Grand Frais supermarkets, they will be able to be represented collectively and debate with the group’s leaders.
The judges of the social chamber of the judicial court of Lyon indeed order a professional election allowing to constitute an economic and social committee (CSE) in the supermarkets of these three cities of the Lyon suburbs. Justice concludes that these three companies indeed form, together, an “economic and social unit” (UES), that is to say a group of companies which have close ties. This is a relief for the SUD Solidaires union, which filed a complaint in November 2022 against the refusal of Grand Frais “to apply the labor code” and denounced an atypical management model.
“Grand Frais works like a covered hall”
The Rhone-based company, created in 1992 by Denis Dumont, is one of a kind. Each store aims to recreate the atmosphere of covered markets in which customers stop from stand to stand. “Like Galeries Lafsaayette, Grand Frais works like a covered hall”analyzes Sandrine Heitz-Spahn, economist specializing in retail.
Grand Frais is neither a cooperative nor a group with a branch, but rents its shelves to independent external companies that manage them as they see fit. “The company Prosol, which manages Grand Frais, specializes in fruit and vegetables, explains the researcher. The other departments are rented » : to EEF for the grocery stores, Marie Blachère for the bakeries or even Despi for the butcher departments. Thus, the employees of the same store do not all work for the same company.
However, to set up an economic and social committee (CSE), a company must recognize a minima 11 employees. “Each company tries to have less than 11 employees, thus avoiding the establishment of a CSE within each store”, advances the SUD union. Only a few establishments in France, out of more than 300 existing brands, have set up CSEs. An aberration for the SUD Solidaires union, which believes that all employees are linked to Prosol and follow the directives of its president, Hervé Vallat.
And yet, before January 9, 2023, Grand Frais had never been worried. Far from these concerns, consumers seem conquered. In just thirty years, the brand’s turnover has increased from 0 to 3.5 billion euros. The EY-Parthenon firm’s 2022 ranking concludes that Grand Frais has become, in three decades, “the favorite specialized food company of the French”.
What’s next ?
For the spokesperson for the SUD Services et Commerce du Rhône union, “employees can now enjoy essential rights of which they were deprived”, namely to be represented collectively and to hold leaders accountable. A great first, therefore, in these brands of Grand Frais rather “accustomed to silence”, according to the union. However, the decision does not necessarily upset the management method of all the brands of the brand on French territory. Lyon justice only creates an “economic and social unit” (UES) by bringing together the three local companies, which participate in the management of the Prosol departments in Pierre-Bénite, Bron and Rillieux-la-Pape. It is therefore only one ” first stage “according to the spokesperson, who does not commit the other Grand Frais to align with it.
“There are three ways to establish an UES in Grand Frais stores and therefore employee representation: the very unlikely goodwill of the managers, an agreement between them with the unions and a court decision”, analyzes the union. To avoid new legal proceedings throughout France, the management of the companies involved in the management of the Grand Frais departments could be “tempted by more dialogue” and agreements, the union hopes.