Find out their fiery negotiating method when you read the rest…
The factory recently was ordered into liquidation by a court, and so the workers are asking for the factory’s two biggest clients --Renault and Peugeot-- to pay up. When I say “pay up”, I mean $41,000 per job that is being cut. Nothing to sneeze at: That’s $13 million total.
On Sunday, the French workers threatened to blow up the plant if their demands aren’t met. And to show their seriousness, they have placed gas bottles all along the outside of the factory.
If the two clients don’t comply, the workers have set an expiration date for the factory: July 31st. Worth millions of dollars, numerous car parts would be burnt to a crisp.
“If we get nothing, they get nothing at all," said Guy Eyermann, union official and secretary of the company works council.
But French officials have dismissed the workers, thinking they are bluffing, and using depressurized gas bottles for show. The factory’s former client Renault refuses to pay the workers, saying that is not their responsibility.
So how will this story end?
We’ll have to wait until July 31st to find out, but who do YOU think will give in?
French officials or the French factory workers?? COMMENT!
My words are up.
**Today is "Bastille Day" in France- On this day in 1789, French commoners stormed the Bastille(a prison), which started the French Revolution.
The french don't bluff, but they also go on strike all the time. I'm thinking it will all blow over and they'll all go have a glass of wine together when it's all over.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is true. But this one has been the most extreme, and the French officals have made statements that they believe the French workers are bluffing.
ReplyDeleteThere have also been a series of "bossnappings" at other companies in France - where laid off workers hold their boss hostage until pay demands are met.
The police usually don't intervene in these "negotiation situations", because in France, they are not too unusual.
Needless to say, I don't think these negotiation situations could occur so smoothly in the United States...
Thanks for your comment!