UNI and Crédit Agricole S.A. Group sign four-year global agreement 

UNI Global Union and Crédit Agricole S.A. Group have today signed a new global agreement which strengthens and extends worker protections for the French banking group’s 75,000 employees in 46 countries.  

The new four-year agreement, signed at the Group’s headquarters in Paris, has evolved to reflect the transformation of the financial sector since 2019, when the initial deal was signed. For the first time, the agreement gives full trade union rights to remote workers and allows employees, through collective bargaining, to identify, prevent and mitigate the potential negative impacts of new technologies, in particular AI and surveillance tools. 

Under the agreement, remote workers have the same rights as non-remote workers, including insurance coverage, the right to join a trade union and equal access to training and career development. The introduction of remote work must be subject to social dialogue and collective bargaining and is voluntary and reversible. Remote working should neither lead to job insecurity.  

Credit Agricole also agrees to consult UNI in the drafting of the bank’s due diligence plan, recognizing UNI’s expertise in the field of human rights, fundamental labour rights, freedom of association, collective bargaining and social dialogue.

Protection of workers’ mental health is now covered under the agreement, including in a digital and remote work context. This includes respect of working hours, right to rest, right to disconnect and the prevention of psychosocial risks.  

The agreement now includes reference to violence in the workplace and both parties adhere to the principles of the International Labour Organization’s Convention 190 to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work. The bank also recognizes that it has a role in providing support to domestic violence victims.  

In addition, there is also a new guaranteed 28 calendar-days’ of paternity leave for employees worldwide.  

Alke Boessiger, Deputy General Secretary of UNI Global Union, said: “This new global agreement with the Crédit Agricole S.A. Group contributes to the establishment of the highest global standards for the rights of workers in the financial sector. The agreement supports collective bargaining as a means of social dialogue and is adapted to the requirements of the current digital transformation. It provides the same protections, rights and opportunities for remote workers and protects the physical and psychological health of workers in all work situations. We are proud of this agreement with the Crédit Agricole S.A. Group, which recognizes the value of trade union relations.” 

Bénédicte Chrétien, Head of Human Resources at Crédit Agricole S.A. added: “The signing of this new agreement with UNI Global Union reflects our constructive long-term relationship. The commitments made to our employees, particularly in terms of equal opportunities, diversity and parenthood, are fully in line with our Human-Centric Project, which promotes local responsibility.”  

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