The textile multinational H&M and representatives of the workers have endorsed the agreement by which they put an end to the open labor conflict between both parties after the employees called several days of strike to demand salary improvements and denounce excesses in the workload due to shortage of staff. The unions have endorsed, with minor clarifications, the preliminary agreement signed on June 28 with the management of the company in Spain.
The fashion firm has sealed the “increase in effective resources” in 91 of its stores, for a total of 23,178 working hours. This increase in personnel will occur through hiring and by expanding contracts and hours, as is the case of 60 employees who are currently part-time, and who will see their shift extended as of September, although they could be brought forward to August.
This agreement also includes a new sales incentive valid until 2025 for all H&M staff in stores of up to 50 euros per month, which will be linked to effective presence in the store, regardless of the contracted day, in order to reduce absenteeism in the company.
Employees who have been absent from their job for more than 5 days will not receive this bonus, which will proportionally discount the days not worked, without including those vacations, permits, licenses or contingencies. In those stores that do not reach the sales target of one month, the application of this incentive will be reviewed.
The company has also agreed to pay a new minimum responsibility bonus by category, applicable to the positions of “Store manager”, “Department manager”, “Visual merchandiser” and COR, which will be paid from September, with retroactive effect from the 1st of July.
This bonus ranges between 2,400 and 3,600 euros per year, being paid in 14 payments proportional to the day, which will not be compensable or absorbable either. It has also been agreed to pay a salary supplement of 1,000 euros for the position of “sales advisors” to be paid from September (retroactive from July 1) and which is neither compensable nor absorbable.
