|
Angry Air France union protesters storm HQ; Air France execs 'forced to flee'
(Link to BBC video)
Air France execs forced to flee after union protesters storm HQ meeting (USA Today): Several Air France executives had to flee a meeting about mass job cuts after union protesters stormed the company's headquarters, according to multiple media reports from the scene. The Assocated Press reports one of its photographers witnessed "about a hundred activists rush the building" after they broke through a gate. "Shortly afterward two high-level managers fled, one bare-chested and the other with his shirt and suit jacket shredded," AP adds. |
One of those Managers was Xavier Broseta, member of the executive board and responsible for HR :E
|
Unfortunately this may have negative repercussions, even outside of AF.
Broseta and Air France Chief Executive Frederic Gagey had been outlining a drastic cost cutting plan, described by the company as "Plan B" after it failed to persuade its pilots to accept a less radical one earlier this year. Violent protests by workers are commonplace in France, where the population has a long tradition of taking the law into its own hands. This year, as the country struggles to come out of an economic downturn, has seen many. ... However, unlike the headline makers in some other disputes, pilots lack sympathy among the general public and the Socialist government. Ground staff trade unions long ago accepted the company's original, less draconian, cost-saving regime, in contrast to the pilots, who staged a strike a year ago that cost the company 500 million euros ($560 million). ... The main airline industry union FNAM also condemned the attack on Broseta calling it "outdated behavior". Parent Air France-KLM said it planned to take legal action over "aggravated violence" carried out against its managers. |
I had today a discussion regarding what will be the future of the european flagg carriers. Frankly, the scenario doesn't look that good for me....
|
I'll just mention, since this is Pprune, that it certainly appeared from the French TV pictures that I've seen that many of the rent-a-mob involved in this very nasty looking piece of direct action were carrying CGT banners, the CGT being a very large (largest?) French general workers union. There was no sign of any pilot's Union (e.g. SNPL) involvement.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conf%C...ale_du_travail |
Did the fence-man rip his own jacket, or offer the shirt off his own back as part of some new deal ??
|
Those who will be sacked can apply to EK...hiring at the moment
|
Apparently the situation was not as the media reports it I am told by people who where present. Situation is a bit more complicated with people and internal organisations fighting different agendas, but it is still a huge mess with a big fight with security staff, resulting 7 injured and one serious in coma.
|
Any EK guys watching and learning?
|
I'll just mention, since this is PPRuNe, that it certainly appeared from the French TV pictures that I've seen that many of the rent-a-mob involved in this very nasty looking piece of direct action were carrying CGT banners, the CGT being a very large (largest?) French general workers union. |
Originally Posted by Mr Ken Smith
(Post 9137973)
Don't be fooled KLM has a grip on all labour costs.
KLM's pilots hardly yield anything else than some days off. Once the truth comes out about the ridiculous new KLM pilot contract in which their junior pilots get (really) 190 miljon euros it will not last. Within a week the truth will come out. Opportunistic hype that KLM's pilots are Saints and AF pilots the bully's is a cleverly staged display of the shrewd Dutch Pilot Union Board and management that doesn't dare to counter it. Then the aggressive AF unions will not look so bad after all. |
(Thread creep)
So we go from bashing of AF executives to bashing of KLM union agreements in 12 posts! |
The whole industry is in a race to the bottom. Profitable companies need to be told where to go by unions if they are looking to reduce terms and conditions. Fewer and fewer new joiners in the industry get a wage capable of providing a decent living.
|
Action - Reaction.
I love the French. |
Me too!
Certainly when it comes to stuff like this I agree - NO SURRENDER, These management pr@@ks are good at bullying, and they've destroyed this industry. O'Leary has set the standard, and they all intend to follow. |
Lynching mob
According to some authoritative foreign press reports this was a lynching attempt. That is the headlines, with shocking pictures of airline executives, with their clothes in shreds, climbing fences and running for their lives. What could the public perception be of the aviation community as a whole. I am afraid not only does it bring the profession into disrepute but also puts an ugly stain on all the uniforms of all air crews seen in the halls of every airport terminal in the world. The best thing BALPA and other similar organisations can do is make a public statement announcing that they will never condone such behaviour by any of their members.
|
The best thing BALPA and other similar organisations can do is make a public statement announcing that they will never condone such behaviour by any of their members.
no. the best thing is not to make statements. this has nothing to do with BALPA. |
Those who will be sacked can apply to EK...hiring at the moment Any EK guys watching and learning? Like they did in the 1989 'Dispute' I suppose. Never heard from them again... |
O'Leary has set the standard, and they all intend to follow |
Originally Posted by Una Due Tfc
(Post 9137746)
KLM need to get out of that mess pronto. They were profitable before joining, they're still profitable now, and yet the group as a whole has lost billions. Run!
|
| All times are GMT. The time now is 02:19. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.