Career changes: unions fear a decline in employee rights

"There's still work to be done," Yvan Ricordeau summed up at the end of what was to be the final negotiation session for the CFDT.

Union officials have particularly criticized the method of discussions on the employers' side, pointing to "blunders" and negotiations conducted in a "bizarre" manner, with some questioning the "mastery" of this complex subject, which can be likened to "a game of Tetris" by employers' organizations.

The employers' side did not speak to the press. It is expected to submit a new draft on Monday, the unions indicated, before negotiators meet on Wednesday afternoon, the 25th, to try to reach a conclusion.

Among the "nerve nodes", Yvan Ricordeau notably cited the conditions of use of the Personal Training Account (CPF) in the context of retraining, while Michel Beaugas (FO) considered that "the real issue of this last session which will take place on the 25th is the securing of the termination of the employment contract for employees" who are going into retraining, a point on which "many pitfalls" remain.

For Sandrine Mourey (CGT), "there are still many points to clarify," particularly on the legal level, but "today, the balance of the initial text is not in favor of the employee."

The text presented was "not operational," also noted Jean-François Foucard (CFE-CGC).

In April, employers and unions were invited by the government to negotiate to "facilitate professional transitions and retraining." The idea was to maintain a tool in the hands of employees, the professional transition project (PTP), and to unify the systems in the hands of companies.

The government had hoped to be able to insert an agreement into the draft law on the employment of senior citizens, but the window of opportunity is "very short," noted CFTC negotiator Maxime Dumont, as the text is due to be examined in committee at the National Assembly on Monday.

"We can ask ourselves whether employers want an agreement or not. Or at least, if there is an agreement, whether they want it to be enshrined in law immediately," FO negotiator Michel Beaugas also wondered. The executive branch will then have the option of legislating by decree.