Air France executives had a tough morning on Monday as they left Charles de Gaulle Airport to see throngs of angry workers protesting their decision to cut nearly 3,000 jobs in the company. According to a report from Bloomberg, furious employees ripped the shirts clean off the backs of human resources chief Xavier Broseta and heat of long-haul flights, Pierre Plissonnier.
The two executives climbed an eight-foot fence to escape the crowd with assistance from security guards. The protests surrounding the job cuts turned violent Monday as executives released the details and extent of the company’s restructuring.
Air France announced on Monday that it would lay off 300 pilots, 900 flight attendants, and 1,700 ground staff. Protestors chanted “naked, naked,” in defiance, and joined other groups of angry workers from companies such as Michelin and Sony Corp. who have announced similar job cuts.
Air France has filed a complaint for aggravated violence against the protestors, who the company claims were “isolated and particularly violent individuals.” The protest had carried on peacefully prior to the event.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls condemned the outburst, saying that it was completely unjustified. Broseta said that he was disappointed about the protest, and hinted that further negotiations with Air France workers would be possible.
The company announced a savings plan that would reduce their fleet by 14 jets to 93, and cancelling orders for Boeing 787s.
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