Avenue 83 blocked in Valletta to protest working conditions in supermarkets

Among the ten blockades recorded in the Var, the largest mobilization took place at Avenue 83, in La Valette-du-Var. At the call of the local CGT unions of Toulon and La Garde, nearly 300 demonstrators first gathered in the Leroy-Merlin parking lot before converging on the roundabouts leading to the North and South entrances of the shopping center. At the head of the procession, the banner "Antisocial, you're losing your François" was a great success.

For five hours, motorists were unable to access the parking lots on Avenue 83, but a few pedestrians were able to enter the alleys guarded by security guards. A minor altercation took place between the manager of a shop and a protester, which was extinguished by a large number of police officers (around ten CRS vans).

The blockade was lifted early in the afternoon, as the workforce dispersed. " But we succeeded because very few people went to the shopping center once traffic reopened ," said Patrice Moulun, general secretary of the local CGT union in Toulon. " We hurt them. A Wednesday after the start of the school year is normally a good sales day ," noted one striker.

On this point of contention, it was work that was at the heart of the debates and demands made by a contingent of employees, whether they were mostly unionized with the CGT (health, public finances, France Travail, Atelier industriel de l'aéronautique de Cuers, etc.) or from the citizens' movement "Bloquons tout".

Protesters tear down National Rally posters upon arrival at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83.Protesters tear down National Rally posters upon arrival at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83.Protesters tear down National Rally posters upon arrival at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83.Protesters tear down National Rally posters upon arrival at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83.Protesters tear down National Rally posters upon arrival at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83.Protesters tear down National Rally posters upon arrival at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83. the northern entrance of Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance of Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance of Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance of Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance of Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance of Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance of Avenue 83. arrival at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83. Protesters tear down National Rally posters as they arrive at the Valgora roundabout, at the northern entrance to Avenue 83. Camille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice MatinCamille Dodet / Nice Matin.

Primark crystallizes resentment

All are denouncing " low wages, understaffing, and great difficulty in asserting rights " in the retail sector. With a particular situation at L'Avenue 83: " Employees cannot park on site to come to work. All the parking lots that are free for customers from 10 a.m. are closed to them, and they are offered a subscription that costs 85 euros per month ," summarizes Patrice Moulun.

One brand also crystallized the strikers' resentment: Primark. The fast-fashion specialist, which reached a record turnover of €1.03 billion in France in 2024, already experienced a strike four months ago in Valletta. The employees were demanding more staff and consideration. A scuffle broke out between shopping center security guards and maintenance workers, resulting in two injuries. " We had obtained three more employees for the store and another for cleaning, but since then things have deteriorated ," Moustapha recalls.

" One employee does the work of four. We have to put up with pressure from bosses who are also under pressure, with management that is increasingly authoritarian and toxic," laments Aude, a saleswoman and union representative. "We have colleagues who come in with butterflies in their stomachs, others who can't pay the doctor and work while sick. There are burnouts... Today's business is a lawless business in which we are just numbers. "

" Trade union rights are often flouted here... ", sums up another unionist.