"If this social gain disappears, I'll look elsewhere": Free executives on strike against the unilateral reduction of teleworking

" Management is expected at the negotiating table, thank you. " Pierre-Damien Zamoun, a union representative for the Ecological Spring, with a touch of humor, sums up the day's agenda for the Iliad strikers: discussion. Megaphone in hand, the union representative chants numerous slogans echoed in unison by the hundred or so of his colleagues present in front of the group's headquarters: " Backpedaling on teleworking , deterioration of working conditions ," " Listen to us, stop unilateral decisions ."

This demonstration, organized by Force Ouvrière (FO), the majority union, and Printemps Écologique, is in response to the unilateral announcement of a reduction from eight to six days of authorized teleworking per month for executives at Free's parent company. Conditions have also been tightened: employees are no longer allowed to telework more than two Fridays per month, nor two consecutive days. According to the telecommunications group founded by Xavier Niel, the subordinates affected by teleworking represent 15% of Iliad's 12,000 employees.

" Management wants to reconsider the teleworking conditions . We told them that this was not possible. But we want to be truly consulted, not for the company charter to be unilaterally revised as has been done ," insists Jean-Damien Zamoun.

The FO union, for its part, is in total disagreement with any potential change to remote working arrangements. " We voted against the implementation of this charter and were not listened to ," laments Ndèye Yacine Sidibé, an FO representative and secretary of the Iliad CSE. " Social dialogue took place. It led to changes to the initial project: exceptions are permitted for special cases ," defends an Iliad spokesperson.

Among the ranks of the Iliad executive protesters, there is a complete lack of understanding regarding this tightening of the screws. " We wonder if the goal isn't to reduce staff numbers by pushing them out, instead of organizing real negotiations ," suspects the FO union representative. This assertion is refuted by Iliad, which says it wants to " strengthen team cohesion ."

With the Green Spring flag on her shoulder, Rose Denakpo is already thinking about resigning. Her husband, a mother of three, is unable to work remotely. The new rules will completely disrupt her family life. " When I work remotely, my children aren't in daycare. That means less expenses and more comfort ," explains the production manager.

Before the executives, the call center agents at Free's parent company saw their right to telework removed in December 2024. The eventual total elimination of this option is a widespread fear among employees of other Iliad companies. For Sébastien, this right was an important criterion when he was hired. " It's a social benefit that I want to keep. If it disappears, I'll start looking elsewhere ," assures this employee of the communications division. " For the moment, the only plan is to implement the new charter ," says the Iliad spokesperson.