SFR labor unions call for strike after court rejects sale suspension

The Paris Judicial Court has rejected claims by SFR’s Social and Economic Committee (CSE) seeking to suspend the sale of the telecommunications operator. The CSE had argued that the information and consultation process regarding the sale to a consortium comprising Bouygues Telecom, Iliad (Free), and Orange was insufficient, specifically citing a lack of financial documents detailing the social consequences of the dismantling.

The court ruled that the consultation process had concluded in early October and that only a substantive court proceeding could extend it. The judge also noted that suspending the sale might exacerbate psychosocial risks by prolonging uncertainty for employees. Additionally, claims against the three purchasing operators were deemed inadmissible as they are not the direct employers of the staff involved.

In response to the ruling, the Unsa-CFDT-CFTC inter-union group has called for a strike on November 3 involving employees from SFR, SFR Distribution, and Altice Technical Services (ATS). Union representatives have described the decision as “shameful” and intend to appeal. Tensions remain high as workers seek written guarantees regarding employment security and social measures during the transition.