Overview
- A massive fire around Saumos forced the prefecture to order evacuations and closed the Cestas sorting center plus about fifteen local post offices, halting operations and preventing hundreds of employees from reaching work.
- When centers and offices reopened this week, La Poste informed evacuated staff that they must recover hours not worked while salaries were maintained which has prompted worker outrage.
- Employees including Frédéric Saint-Marc called the requirement unfair given blocked roads and mandatory evacuation, and unions have publicly condemned the decision.
- La Poste told staff that paid hours would be guaranteed and that hour recovery rules would apply up to a limited amount according to internal guidance and legal provisions, a move unions say remains unacceptable.
- Unions warn the dispute could expand into significant industrial action and the conflict highlights tension between emergency public-safety measures and employer demands over work-time accounting after the blaze.