Lift strike in Meribel planned

A strike by Méribel lift company workers threatens to disrupt lifts one day early next week.

Employees at lift company Méribel Alpina are planning to strike on either Monday 23rd or Tuesday 24th January in a move which would disrupt ski lifts and affect ticket offices.

Members of the Force Ouvrière union are demanding a pay rise of 7% and an increase in workforce numbers.

Director General Olivier Simonin has rejected their claims as “exaggerated and unjustified”. He said the union’s wage demands are unacceptable, citing a difficult start to the season and the already above-average wage levels.

The planned action will only affect lifts in the Méribel sector of the valley. Mottaret’s lifts, operated by lift company S3V, will not be disrupted.

A Méribel Alpina spokesman said it was not yet known which lifts would be affected by the strike and the company would operate as many lifts as possible with non-striking workers.

Mr Simonin said yesterday that Alpina employees earn between 1.5 and 2 times the minimum wage and that a 3% pay rise offer had been rejected by the workers.