4000 jobs threatened at Pôle Emploi because of the drop in unemployment...

The fall in unemployment risks claiming victims at Pôle Emploi. The rumor had been circulating for some time. Jean Bassères, the general manager, confirmed it three weeks ago during a managerial convention: 4000 positions could disappear within three years out of the 55.800 agents. This figure, significant given the 5,6 million French people registered with Pôle emploi, would even be a base and could be higher. "In 2013, the Ayrault government had released 2000 CDIs twice to deal with the crisis. Today, the State wishes to recover them", regrets Michel Brevart, member of the national office of the SNU-FSU of Pôle emploi.

The State has reduced its subsidy by 50 million euros

A showdown has since begun between the management of Pôle emploi, the Ministry of Labor and Bercy. Already, within the framework of the Finance Act for 2018, the Work mission – which intersects in particular with the means given to Pôle emploi – has lost 1,5 billion euros in credit. The State has reduced its subsidy by 50 million euros, jeopardizing the financial balance of the structure which also receives a 10% share from Unedic.

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On the 2018-2022 trajectory, budget cuts should reach 4 billion euros. This year, 1380 subsidized contracts and 297 full-time equivalent positions were eliminated. A small bleeding in the light of the one who is preparing. "Since the ANPE-Assedic merger, we were not concerned by the general revision of public policies. Each time there were retirements, they were replaced", recalls David Vallaperta, adviser and elected CFDT at central works council. A bygone era. 1289 agents leave the structure every year (retirement, agreed termination, resignation, etc.). These holes are no longer plugged.

Because, beyond the desire to save money, the government believes that the upturn in the job market no longer requires as many advisers. "4000 fewer jobs, it's surreal!, is alarmed the CFDT elected official. The drop in unemployment does not mean a reduction in our workload, because there is a sharp increase in job seekers combining an activity partial and an allowance." For the moment, the management says that "there is no decision taken on the workforce. This question will have to be addressed in a context that takes into account the new charges weighing on Pôle emploi".

Redeploy jobs, resort to civic service, and increase productivity gains

However, additional missions, the organization will not miss! First, as part of the bill for the freedom to choose one's professional future, the number of advisers assigned to the control of job seekers will be tripled: from 200 to 600 at the end of the first half of 2019, 1000 a year later. All "at iso effective", said the ministry.

To achieve this, the management intends to redeploy the positions, in particular within the telephone platforms (600 to 700 would thus be "won"), use civic service, and increase productivity gains thanks to dematerialization. These questions will be discussed on May 24 during a central works council. Then, as part of the Skills Investment Plan, one million long-term unemployed and one million unskilled young people will have to be supported. The negotiations that will begin in September with the State on the new tripartite agreement – ​​a sort of roadmap for Pôle emploi – promise to be more than tense.