Most of the unions representing Amazon France’s workers have rejected its latest offer in pay negotiations. There is however no immediate threat of strike action.

To compensate for the sharp rise in inflation, unions had asked for a 5% rise in pay. This was countered by Amazon France with a 3.5% general increase as of the 1st June. The CFE-CGC union accepted it but the rest of the unions have refused.

“In any other year this would have been a good proposal but, since December, inflation is rocketing, with energy, food and other prices going up sharply,” said Jean-Francois Berot, a representative of the SUD union.

The unions have indicated that there may be some lower level industrial action in the coming days or weeks but no strikes have been planned as yet.

In return Amazon France has said that the 3.5% is better than the average 2-2.5% increase offered by other large French companies in recent months. It added that salaries for its workers have increased by more than 5.6% in the last year, corresponding to the French minimum wage increases in that period. In addition the company has given free shares and contributions to transport to work as part of their employment packages.

“We are pleased to confirm Amazon’s competitive wage increase proposal, which we believe is fair for our employees and will now be implemented in our eight fulfilment centres, including other financial measures,” it said.

“The company had threatened to lower its offer to 3% if there was no deal by Tuesday, but in the end Amazon stuck with the 3.5% offer. The proposal will pass, but without (majority) union approval,” said CFDT union member Morgane Boulard.