5 identified by this study years classics

Sanofi-Aventis, Société Générale, HSBC, Amnéville casino, a Total in Aquitaine plant... Since December, the list of business and the sites struck by a wage dispute goes daily. In Thales, for example, employees are called upon to mobilize today. And the flow is likely to pause, threaten unions, both wage negotiations 2010 leave everywhere on tense bases. A note of the General Labour Directorate (DGT), mid-January to the Government, and unveiled by "The world", confirms: "the wage claims mobilize strongly."

The phenomenon is classical in times of crisis. As early as this fall, a study of business & Personnel, an association of HRD, announced the increase of salary conflicts "as and as" that many employees will feel reassured about their employment. National action in the banking sector or the road have the tone as early as December. As summarised François Chérèque (CFDT), "employees have made great efforts in 2008 and 2009, and want to make the currency of their exhibit". The timid return of inflationthe Insee provides 1.2 this year - is also feed their requirements, as the prospect of touching this year an award or participation in the title of 2009 draws or limited. Unions push the movement on the ground and also put pressure on the national level. "Increase wages is a social but also economic necessity: it must support the purchasing power to fuel the growth", insists Jean-Claude Mailly (FO).

Strong case

In contrast, the sustainable impact of the crisis and low economic visibility still encourage employers for wage moderation. "Many areas know that they are not at the end of the crisis." "They are aware of the expectations but remain very cautious," said Vincent Cornet, Altedia Cabinet. Even the largest companies are not immune to the phenomenon (see below). This caution is also supported by the very limited adjustment of the minimum wage in January ( 0.5) and the announcement mid-January, average inflation near zero in 2009, which allowed the purchasing power of progress last year. And the HRD to arrive at the table of negotiations with solid arguments.

According to a survey of the firm Mercer 300 large companies, UPS should be that very slightly more marked than in 2009. The global envelope (increases individual and General) would thus 2 last year to 2.3 this year for employees, and 2.3 to 2.5 for executives (outside sales). A comparing to the 3.5 identified by this study years "classics." Especially, almost a business four provides salary gels (against 30 last year), a rate three times higher than usually. The prospects are even less positive with respect help in SMEs, where cash flow difficulties and the will to give priority to the preservation of employment very strongly reduce the margins of manoeuvre.

Another potential source of conflict: while 2008 saw the return of General increases, as 2009, 2010 should be marked by a strong predominance of individual increases. "Companies want to keep their key elements," explains Bruno Rocquemont, consultant salaries in Mercer. This phenomenon should enjoy priority senior management and the trade, according to the study. For them, this is already the resumption. For others, must surely await 2011. At best.