Things got heated on Monday at the French capital’s most important air harbor. After the company’s works council was told that 300 pilots, 900 flight attendants and 1,700 ground staff may be laid off, protesters stormed the meeting.
Air France human resources manager Xavier Broseta was discussing 2900 job cuts with staff today. Didn't go too well.. pic.twitter.com/90JUvrdGBq
— Peter Allen (@peterallenparis) October 5, 2015
Chief of human resources Xavier Broseta and head of long-haul flights Pierre Plissonnier were attacked by angry workers shouting “naked! naked!”
According to one witness, quoted by Agence France-Presse, Broseta was “almost lynched,” and only escaped by climbing a 2-meter fence. Plissonnier, accompanied by security guards, fled with his shirt and suit ripped to shreds. CEO Frederic Gagey also had to flee the scene.
A security guard was reportedly hospitalized with a head injury from the melee, and another six people were also hurt.
Violence broke out from a peaceful strike, stemming from the news that Air France, which employs 52,000 people worldwide, planned to cut several thousand positions.
“These attacks were made by isolated and particularly violent individuals as the demonstration by personnel on strike was going on calmly,” the company said in an email, Bloomberg reported.
Air France's irresponsible behaviour.Cancels confirmed booking at d 11th hour.Forced 2 drive down 600 kms over night in heavy downpour (1/3)
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) October 5, 2015
Air France has been experiencing serious financial losses in the face of harsh competition with other airlines. In addition to job cuts, it is due to sell 14 planes and cancel the purchase of several Boeing 787s, according to AFP.
The forced dismissals would be the first since the 1990s. At the center of the company’s struggle is a failed deal with pilots, who refused to work more hours without a salary increase at the request of Air France executives.
