“Used and exhausted”: a rebellious movement this Wednesday among agents assigned to Montpellier schools

Lors d'un mouvement précédent devant le parvis de l'hôtel-de-ville. Midi Libre – RICHARD DE HULLESSEN

Quatre organisations syndicales de la Ville ont appelé les agents affectés dans les écoles (Atsem, agents d’animations, agents techniques) à boycotter un séminaire organisé ce mercredi afin de dénoncer le manque de moyens humains dans les établissements.

There will be no reception center open this Wednesday to welcome children… But it was planned: City agents assigned to reception and activities outside school hours are invited to participate in a " seminar on animation, organized by the community. 

All schools affected

But four trade union organizations (Unsa, CGT, CFDT and FO) decided to call for a boycott of this day in order to denounce the understaffing situations observed in educational establishments, for reception but also for certain technical tasks. "All schools are in arrears. Some are in a state of borderline cleanliness, there are not enough facilitators, not enough Atsem, the supervision, sometimes is not very secure. quot;launches Fabien Molina, the union delegate of Unsa, the majority at town hall.

For several months now, the City's unions have been drawing attention to the subject. The first strike notice dates back to last September and another action in mid-January to request recruitment and replacement of agents who are leaving. "We had a number of negotiations with the education division but there was no significant progress. We arrive at the same conclusion: we cannot respond to our requests because we have to save money" deplores the elected staff member. Mayor Michaël Delafosse was also questioned on the subject.

"Worn and exhausted"

For unions, the use of temporary staff "on a piecemeal basis" does not make it possible to compensate for absences, the non-replacement of starters, especially since the period of May and June is less favorable to the recruitment of students, taken by their exams or at the end of their studies. "Given the context all those in charge are running after replacements".

The day of "fronde" this Wednesday will therefore have no consequences for parents. "These agents work for a quality public service. They prefer to boycott that day to protest" observes Fabien Molina. But a one-day strike, this time, is planned for next month… before the end of the school year. "We arrive in June with agents exhausted, nervously and physically exhausted. Those who remain wear out".

The City did not respond to our requests this Monday evening.  I subscribe to read more