Finance
Strikes planned at LVMH's drinks division starting on Friday - CGT union
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 4, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
LVMH's Moet Hennessy workers plan strikes over bonus cuts, led by the CGT union, posing a challenge for Alexandre Arnault amid a luxury industry slowdown.
LVMH's Moet Hennessy Faces Strikes Over Bonus Cuts
By Tassilo Hummel
PARIS, Dec 4 - Some workers at LVMH's wines and spirits division Moet Hennessy are planning a series of strikes starting on Friday to protest against a cut in annual bonuses, according to union leaflets seen by Reuters, in a sign of growing discontent at a business where profits have slumped.
The call to strike by branches of the CGT union is the first to apply across all of Moet Hennessy's larger brands from Hennessy cognac to Veuve Clicquot champagne, posing a challenge for Alexandre Arnault, son of billionaire Bernard Arnault, who became deputy CEO of the division earlier this year.
The CGT union said Moet Hennessy chose to cancel all profit-sharing bonuses and other annual benefits this year, while LVMH keeps dividends to shareholders stable.
Moet Hennessy did not respond to a request for comment on this year's compensation policy.
The union is calling for limited strike days "in all of the houses' sites in the coming days and weeks", one of the flyers, due to be handed out to workers on Thursday, said, with the aim of getting management to negotiate on pay.
The first walkouts are planned for Friday at champagne houses Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot-Krug, the union flyers showed. Two union sources told Reuters that further strikes would follow, including at Hennessy, over the next two months.
Strikes are rare in the luxury industry, which after years of strong growth has been hit by a slowdown as sales stalled in China and price hikes deterred shoppers, while uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs has weighed on demand.
LVMH's drinks business, accounting for about 7% of group sales, reported operating profit of 524 million euros ($610.98 million) in the first half of 2025, down 33% from the previous year.
LVMH finance chief Jean-Jacques Guiony took over as CEO of the division earlier this year, with 33-year-old Alexandre Arnault as his deputy.
It was not clear how many workers would follow the call to strike. The CGT is one of France's largest unions and has the largest representation among Moet Hennessy workers.
($1 = 0.8576 euros)
(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Key Takeaways
- •Workers at LVMH's Moet Hennessy plan strikes over bonus cuts.
- •CGT union leads the protest across major brands.
- •Strikes challenge Alexandre Arnault's leadership.
- •Luxury industry faces slowdown impacting profits.
- •LVMH maintains stable dividends despite cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Strikes planned at LVMH's drinks division starting on Friday - CGT union
1What is compensation?
Compensation refers to the payment or benefits received by employees in exchange for their work, including salary, bonuses, and other financial perks.
2What is a labor market?
The labor market is the supply and demand for labor, where employers seek to hire workers and individuals look for jobs. It influences wages and employment levels.
3What is a financial crisis?
A financial crisis is a situation in which the value of financial institutions or assets drops significantly, leading to widespread economic instability and loss of wealth.
4What is a bonus?
A bonus is a financial reward given to employees in addition to their regular salary, often based on performance, company profits, or other criteria.
