Record low for prud’hommes
Just 25.5% of workers turnout to vote in elections for workplace tribunals.
THE workers’ turnout for yesterday’s prud’hommes elections hit a record low – at just 25.5% (down from 33% in 2002).
The CGT cemented its place as the union with the most representatives on the conseils des prud’hommes - local courts which rule on employment matters, such as disputes between employers and employees. Its share rose 1.6% to take 33.8% of the vote, compared to the CFDT, which dropped three points to 22.1%, and the third most successful, FO, which dropped 2.3 points to 15.9%.
Among votes by managers, CFE-CGC took the first place from CFDT with 27.9% of the cadres vote.
The participation by employees in the first prud’hommes elections, in 1979, was 63.2%, and the turnout has now reached its lowest yet. However participation by employers, who elect half of the juges prud’hommaux has increased compared to last time to 31.5%.
Work Minister Xavier Bertrand has said he will make voting procedures simpler and easier so as to get a better turnout next time – in particular by installing more polling stations in workplaces. Despite the poor turnout he said: “The results are meaningful, because five million votes – that counts for something.”
