Air France will go ahead with 2016 job cuts despite protests
Air France has announced that it will go ahead to cut hundreds of jobs as planned next year, as part of the company’s restructuring plan that has triggered violent protests.
The chief executive of Air France-KLM was quoted by AFP as saying on Sunday that the remaining cuts are planned for 2017, but they can be avoided if negotiations with unions are successful before the start of next year.
Alexandre de Juniac made the remarks in a joint interview with RTL radio, LCI television and the Le Figaro daily.
The airline's restructuring plan, which was unveiled on October 5 after pilots rejected a proposal to work longer hours, hit the headlines around the world when the company’s executives were manhandled by furious workers.
Human resources manager, Xavier Broseta, had his shirt ripped off as he clambered over barriers to escape, helped by security guards, while another executive had his shirt and jacket torn in the scrum.
Air France has declared plans to slash 2,900 jobs in 2016 and 2017.
During Sunday interview, De Juniac said next year's portion of the restructuring plan is already underway.
The official did not explain about the exact number of job cuts next year, saying they would represent "less than a third of the total" of the planned 2,900 layoffs.
Asked whether this would represent nearly 1,000 posts, he responded, "Less than that."
De Juniac added, "If negotiations are successful by the beginning of next year, we can avoid implementing 2017's plan B…. The events on October 5 upset a lot of people... and highlighted the need to negotiate."
The official was referring to the violent incident in which seven people were hurt, including a security guard who was knocked unconscious. The attack was condemned by French President Francois Hollande, who said, "Social dialogue matters, and when it's interrupted by violence and disputes take on an unacceptable form, it can have consequences for the image and attractiveness" of the country.
De Juniac said the company is considering 18 disciplinary procedures, which may range from layoffs to other sanctions.
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