An Example of a Branch-level Agreement on Working-time Reduction: The Textile Industry
An Example of a Branch-level Agreement on Working-time Reduction: The Textile Industry
On 16 October 1998, the employers' federation in the French textile industry (UIT - Union des industries textiles) proposed to its social partners an agreement on working-time reduction to 35 hours per week1 within the framework established by the "Loi Aubry".
This agreement sets out the framework within which the enterprises in the branch can negotiate, as of 2000 or 20022, the reduction in working hours in accordance with their specific situation. It clarifies three important points.
The annual overtime quota will be increased from the current figure of 90 to 130 hours. In firms agreeing on more far-reaching flexibilisation (cut in weekly hours to below 35), the quota may be increased to 175 hours per annum. Overtime in excess of the current quota in the branch of 90 hours will entitle the worker to an overtime pay supplement of 25%.
As far as pay is concerned, the branch agreement stipulates that "in all cases the signatory parties to the agreement call for the best solutions to be found at enterprise level with regard to employment and the competitiveness of the enterprise, and so to establish the conditions for realising the working-time reduction without damaging the purchasing power of the workforce".
The working time of managerial staff is a serious problem in France3. The agreement in the textile sector stipulates that lump-sum salaries without specified working hours will be limited to executives and sales staff, who are to receive the same remuneration as other managerial staff. The agreement recommends that compensation for hours worked above 35 hours per week but not remunerated with supplementary pay should take the form of holidays or half days off; it also provides for the establishment of working-time savings accounts and similar systems.
The agreement may be signed by all the trade unions representing textile workers. It would then be up to individual enterprises to negotiate on a case-by-case basis.
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