French steel industry deal matches inflation

Unions and employers in the French steel industry have agreed a 2.3% increase in pay in 2012. However, the deal, signed on 1 March, only matches inflation, which was 2.3% in February, and certain elements go up by less than the overall increase.

Service-related payments are only going up by 2.0% from 1 April 2012 and holiday pay by only 1.9%. The steel increase is in line with overall pay increases, with the latest figures showing pay rising at am annual rate of 2.3% in the last three months of 2011.

As part of the agreement the steel industry will also incorporate the training arrangements included in last year’s metalworking agreement. These give each individual employee the right to 20 hours of training a year, although this will normally be undertaken outside working hours.