Air France bosses’ shirts ripped off over jobs loss plan

[webfact]

Air France bosses’ shirts ripped off over jobs loss plan
By Alasdair Sandford | With AFP, REUTERS

PARIS: -- Confirmation by Air France that it plans to cut 2,900 jobs prompted a violent reaction from part of the workforce.

A meeting of the works council near Charles de Gaulle airport north of Paris ended in chaos after being stormed, reportedly by hundreds of protesters.

Management says it intends to press charges after two senior directors were manhandled.

Pierre Plissonnier – the airline’s director at Orly airport – and Xavier Broseta – the head of human resources – had their shirts ripped from their backs.

Both escaped by climbing a fence. A union official said Broseta had “almost got lynched”.

Air France denounced what it called isolated acts of violence, acknowledging that the main staff protest had been peaceful.

The main employers’ association Medef called the attacks “unacceptable and scandalous”. The main airline industry union FNAM condemned the assault on Broseta as “behaviour which dates from another age”.

The restructuring plan could involve compulsory dismissals if voluntary departures cannot be agreed. The majority of job losses – 1,700 – are set to be among ground staff, as well as 300 pilots and 900 cabin crew.

“Our pay has risen very little. Above all our occupation is not recognised. We’re simply asking for Mr (Alexandre) de Juniac (Air France-KLM’s chief executive) to leave the company. He’s done us a lot of harm since his arrival and he’s brought us nothing,” said Air France employee Kourou Melbassen. “All he does is defend the shareholders’ interests, he doesn’t take care of the staff.”

“We’re being asked to work more. We’ve already given a lot with “Transform” (the former restructuring plan). Our pay has gone down slightly, we’ve worked more, now we’re being asked to work more still. We’re going to die of it, we cannot work more!” added an unidentified female protester.

Air France’s intention to go ahead with its new restructuring plan follows the breakdown of talks with pilot and cabin crew unions.

To compete with low-cost rivals, Air France also wants to shed aircraft from its long-haul fleet and cancel orders for new Boeing jets.




-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-10-06

[alfalfa19]

I would like to see some of this in the US. Assclowns at the top of the feeding chain, making tens of millions of dollars a year, whilst squeezing more and more out of the frontline workers for less and less money. It might teach them a tiny lesson in humility to have their 300 dollar designer shirts ripped from their corpulent torsos.

[craigt3365]

I would like to see some of this in the US. Assclowns at the top of the feeding chain, making tens of millions of dollars a year, whilst squeezing more and more out of the frontline workers for less and less money. It might teach them a tiny lesson in humility to have their 300 dollar designer shirts ripped from their corpulent torsos.

Most airline workers make a pretty good wage, and have fantastic retirement benefits. But yes, the top management does make too much money compared to the lower levels.

I knew the CEO of a large company quite well. It ended up going bankrupt. He had a heart attack and died over all this. He was super concerned for the welfare of his employees. But even as a CEO, not everything is in your control!

[scorecard]

I would like to see some of this in the US. Assclowns at the top of the feeding chain, making tens of millions of dollars a year, whilst squeezing more and more out of the frontline workers for less and less money. It might teach them a tiny lesson in humility to have their 300 dollar designer shirts ripped from their corpulent torsos.

Agree, which I why I support limits in terms of the gap in salaries, and support a mixed socialist / capitalist economy.

IMHO all of the above will eventually happen and will be world wide. It won't be tomorrow but perhaps within 20 years I believe many countries will be moving in this direction.

It's well proven that pure capitalism means the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and longer-term this is unsustainable.

Edited October 6, 2015 by scorecard

[OMGImInPattaya]

One reason I would never fly Air France...employees who act like a baying rabble! Peaceful protest, boycotts, strikes are fine but physically attacking others for doing their jobs is out of bounds. I would hope the airline's criminal assault complaint is taken seriously and the perps are tossed in the slammer to cool off and learn some manners.

[whatproblem]

I agree with scorecard ,I think the top earners in a company should not earn more than 20 times the lowest paid

[bob009]

craigt3365

Most airline workers make a pretty good wage, and have fantastic retirement benefits. But yes, the top management does make too much money compared to the lower levels.

I knew the CEO of a large company quite well. It ended up going bankrupt. He had a heart attack and died over all this. He was super concerned for the welfare of his employees. But even as a CEO, not everything is in your control!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Most airline workers are Not on pretty good wages and fantastic benefts as you put it. I worked for British Airways for 44years. I was lucky as I was there and built up a good penson before the company started cutting into it by taking a pension holiday for years causing a black hole in the predicted benefits for its staff.of which ended up paying more into the pension scheme to prop it up.

Most of the new staff over the last 8 years are on a pension scheme that is basic wth little or no hope of ever giving them a living wage in retirement.Once you get past middle management the benefit package is very good but if you are just one of the day to day workers you are no longer on the companies good schemes. I started in 1969 when it was a final salary scheme, then it was changed in the 80s but still good, then in the 90s it got reduced because of cut backs in the company. then in 2000 they changed it all again and staff were forced to pay more to get any good benefits out of the penson.BA closed their existing scheme to new starters soon after and started a pension scheme called a Money Purchase Scheme which was the new pension. In BA the pensions were known as APS. Airways Pension Scheme. NAPS New Airways Pension Scheme and CRAPS before closing it to any new intake of staff. And whilst all ths was happening the company were driving down wages. Luck enough for the old hands we were what they called Red Ringed meaning that the pay structure was now closed with no chance of ever reaching it. As for benefits.. Yes we got cheap tickets and free tickets in line with years of service. But still paid the Government Air tax on them. These seats were on a basis if avalable.

So my answer to your statement is basic wages in the airline world is not as you put it good wages.Workers have to endure long hours, unsocial hours, and lots of overtme to make up for what was once a good wage. The advance in cheap travel reduced most airline workers wages as operaters cut into costs.

BA used to be a very caring company and looked after its staff, but when it comes down to profits it soon cared less and less for any of its staff. I saw the good years in BA up to 2013 when I retired. Just wish I could say my friends and fellow workers could say that in the future.!!!!

[bristolgeoff]

they will be strikes asap now in air france.chaos will follow now if you are flying or using this airline

[FangFerang]

"Management says it intends to press charges after two senior directors were manhandled."

So who gets charges pressed against them for the newly unemployed?

[than]

Thanks to Air france pilots who refuse to make some little sacrifice for help the french carrier

Since few years all Air Fance ground personnal make sacrifice but pilots no. The airline is a major financial crisis and need help from all personnal category, but pilots refuse

Air France the worst airline of the world.....

[manarak]

craigt3365

Most airline workers make a pretty good wage, and have fantastic retirement benefits. But yes, the top management does make too much money compared to the lower levels.

I knew the CEO of a large company quite well. It ended up going bankrupt. He had a heart attack and died over all this. He was super concerned for the welfare of his employees. But even as a CEO, not everything is in your control!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Most airline workers are Not on pretty good wages and fantastic benefts as you put it. I worked for British Airways for 44years. I was lucky as I was there and built up a good penson before the company started cutting into it by taking a pension holiday for years causing a black hole in the predicted benefits for its staff.of which ended up paying more into the pension scheme to prop it up.

Most of the new staff over the last 8 years are on a pension scheme that is basic wth little or no hope of ever giving them a living wage in retirement.Once you get past middle management the benefit package is very good but if you are just one of the day to day workers you are no longer on the companies good schemes. I started in 1969 when it was a final salary scheme, then it was changed in the 80s but still good, then in the 90s it got reduced because of cut backs in the company. then in 2000 they changed it all again and staff were forced to pay more to get any good benefits out of the penson.BA closed their existing scheme to new starters soon after and started a pension scheme called a Money Purchase Scheme which was the new pension. In BA the pensions were known as APS. Airways Pension Scheme. NAPS New Airways Pension Scheme and CRAPS before closing it to any new intake of staff. And whilst all ths was happening the company were driving down wages. Luck enough for the old hands we were what they called Red Ringed meaning that the pay structure was now closed with no chance of ever reaching it. As for benefits.. Yes we got cheap tickets and free tickets in line with years of service. But still paid the Government Air tax on them. These seats were on a basis if avalable.

So my answer to your statement is basic wages in the airline world is not as you put it good wages.Workers have to endure long hours, unsocial hours, and lots of overtme to make up for what was once a good wage. The advance in cheap travel reduced most airline workers wages as operaters cut into costs.

BA used to be a very caring company and looked after its staff, but when it comes down to profits it soon cared less and less for any of its staff. I saw the good years in BA up to 2013 when I retired. Just wish I could say my friends and fellow workers could say that in the future.!!!!

It's rather simple, air transportation is an international competition where foreign airlines with lower staff costs will have an edge.

All the argumentations about the national company being better, more quality, etc. is bullshit, at the end of the day the only thing that counts on the booking website is the price, air travel is a commodity.

so there are only 4 solutions:

- reduce costs whereever possible

- shut down (some) operations where the Western company is unable to compete

- apply a "foreign tax" to foreign companies that wish to use the national skies and airports

- get subsidized by the state

the latter two are illegal under WTO / European Union regulations

what is your solution to running a Western airline with Western costs?

[fritzzz25]

I would like to see some of this in the US. Assclowns at the top of the feeding chain, making tens of millions of dollars a year, whilst squeezing more and more out of the frontline workers for less and less money. It might teach them a tiny lesson in humility to have their 300 dollar designer shirts ripped from their corpulent torsos.

Most airline workers make a pretty good wage, and have fantastic retirement benefits. But yes, the top management does make too much money compared to the lower levels.

I knew the CEO of a large company quite well. It ended up going bankrupt. He had a heart attack and died over all this. He was super concerned for the welfare of his employees. But even as a CEO, not everything is in your control!

The only "well paid" on board crew sits in the left seat at the front of the plane. The guy in the opposite seat with the same training makes 50-60% of what the other guy makes (or gal as it may be). Cabin crew make peanuts, and they are on the clock without pay until the cabin door closes. Airlines are cutting costs and the lives of people are at stake. Pilots are being forced to fly more hours, pushing them to fatigue. You cannot adjust to the dynamic shifts and not be tired. These people (non military) rack up at least 60,000 US dollars of debt before they can even get an interview. Then they get hired on for 20 bucks an hour and live in trailers under the runway threshold or in an apartment with 12 bunk beds - hot swapping with others just to make ends meet. Use a search engine for "pilot salaries" and see what you find. Go on the forum pprune.org and see what real world pilots are facing. I think you will find your statement of "most airline workers" will be changed to "very few airline workers"....

[craigt3365]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-27/everyone-wants-to-be-a-flight-attendant

Whenever airlines advertise openings for flight attendants, the applications gush in. Southwest Airlines recently received 10,000 applications for 750 attendant positions—in about two hours. A year ago, 114,000 people sought 2,500 flight attendant spots at the airline, known for its laid-back work environment. It's the same at other carriers: US Airways had 16,500 applicants this past January for 450 spots, and Delta Air Lines got 22,000 for 300 to 400 positions a year ago.

Why such interest?

“In the job market the way it is right now, who wouldn't want to get paid to travel?” says Leslie Mayo, a 27-year flight attendant at American Airlines, who lives in San Diego. The schedule is flexible, and “a day off is a day off—you don't take your job home with you,” she says, preparing for a trip to Zurich the next day.

The salary is just OK. Few people ever get rich corralling a drinks cart, but a veteran flight attendant can make more than $50,000 annually—though no new hire will approach that amount, even at Southwest, which is noted for its relative generosity. To start, $25,000 per year is typical. Still, there are also many days per month on which flight crews stay home, another major perk of the job.

http://www.hcareers.com/us/resourcecenter/tabid/306/articleid/627/default.aspx

According to an MIT study of airlines, economy airline ground crew salaries can be as low as $25,263, but the salaries for ground crew staff at larger airlines may be as much as $43,340 annually.

We're talking high school grads here....not bad.

http://www1.salary.com/Aircraft-Body-and-Bonded-Structure-Repairer-Salary.html

Pretty good money...and great benefits....

[OMGImInPattaya]

"Management says it intends to press charges after two senior directors were manhandled."

So who gets charges pressed against them for the newly unemployed?

Making a corporate decision is not a crime...assualt and battery are.

[OMGImInPattaya]

I agree with scorecard ,I think the top earners in a company should not earn more than 20 times the lowest paid

When you start a company or become CEO of one, you can put those clauses in its Articles of Incorporating or Bylaws.

[scorecard]

I agree with scorecard ,I think the top earners in a company should not earn more than 20 times the lowest paid

When you start a company or become CEO of one, you can put those clauses in its Articles of Incorporating or Bylaws.

Very true of course, but I suspect it will need 'people power' activity in many countries to make it happen, and I sincerely believe that will eventually happen but hopefully without violence.

Can you imagine the very very greedy bankers (and others) of this world coming forward with such ideas and voluntarily installing such policies?

[manarak]

I agree with scorecard ,I think the top earners in a company should not earn more than 20 times the lowest paid

When you start a company or become CEO of one, you can put those clauses in its Articles of Incorporating or Bylaws.

Very true of course, but I suspect it will need 'people power' activity in many countries to make it happen, and I sincerely believe that will eventually happen but hopefully without violence.

Can you imagine the very very greedy bankers (and others) of this world coming forward with such ideas and voluntarily installing such policies?

the consequence will just be that the top people will leave to go work for foreign companies.

I think the start can be made in soccer clubs... the top player should not get paid more than 20 times than what the locker room cleaner makes.

[manarak]

I agree with scorecard ,I think the top earners in a company should not earn more than 20 times the lowest paid

After taxes and other progressive social contributions of course, right?

Edited October 6, 2015 by manarak

[fritzzz25]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-27/everyone-wants-to-be-a-flight-attendant

Whenever airlines advertise openings for flight attendants, the applications gush in. Southwest Airlines recently received 10,000 applications for 750 attendant positions—in about two hours. A year ago, 114,000 people sought 2,500 flight attendant spots at the airline, known for its laid-back work environment. It's the same at other carriers: US Airways had 16,500 applicants this past January for 450 spots, and Delta Air Lines got 22,000 for 300 to 400 positions a year ago.

Why such interest?

“In the job market the way it is right now, who wouldn't want to get paid to travel?” says Leslie Mayo, a 27-year flight attendant at American Airlines, who lives in San Diego. The schedule is flexible, and “a day off is a day off—you don't take your job home with you,” she says, preparing for a trip to Zurich the next day.

The salary is just OK. Few people ever get rich corralling a drinks cart, but a veteran flight attendant can make more than $50,000 annually—though no new hire will approach that amount, even at Southwest, which is noted for its relative generosity. To start, $25,000 per year is typical. Still, there are also many days per month on which flight crews stay home, another major perk of the job.

http://www.hcareers.com/us/resourcecenter/tabid/306/articleid/627/default.aspx

According to an MIT study of airlines, economy airline ground crew salaries can be as low as $25,263, but the salaries for ground crew staff at larger airlines may be as much as $43,340 annually.

We're talking high school grads here....not bad.

http://www1.salary.com/Aircraft-Body-and-Bonded-Structure-Repairer-Salary.html

Pretty good money...and great benefits....

You have cherry picked the search. Not reflective of the real picture.

And yes, high school grads. Now go look at the requirements for the guys in the pointy end. https://atpflightschool.com/ <---- training costs to become an Airline Transport Pilot

Example - respected airline in NW USA

http://horizonair.jobs/portland-or/pilot-for-horizon-air/A324748189924A3EB444EFCE45C678F7/job/

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/regional/horizon_air <--- salaries. Starting at 30.00 per hour.

QUALIFICATIONS

High School diploma or equivalent, required

Two year degree from an accredited college, preferred

College degree from a four year accredited university, preferred who do you think they are going to hire - the guy with the HS dimploma or the degree?

Must have and be able to maintain a valid passport allowing unrestricted travel to and from the U.S. required

Minimum age of 21, required

Authorization to work in the U.S. required

Valid Driver's License, required

Must hold current First Class FAA Medical Certificate, required

FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings, required

A FCC permit, required

200 hours of cross country flight time, required

1500 hours of total flight time OR eligible for Restricted ATP mins, required

100 hours of night flight time, required

75 hours of instrument flight time in actual or simulated instrument conditions, required

250 total hours of flight time as pilot in command which would include 100 hours of cross country flight time and 25 hours of night flight time all within the PIC minimums, required

25 hours of multi-engine flight time, required

ATP written, preferred, but not required.

A minimum of 60 hours flown in the last 6 months, preferred

Must be willing to accept a base assignment in Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Spokane, WA, Boise, ID, Medford, OR, or Anchorage, AK based on company need, required

Must be willing to work multiple days away from home, working a varied schedule, including weekends and holidays without restrictions, required .

[craigt3365]

I know all about this. My father was a pilot, my cousin is a pilot right now, doing regional hops...which is a tough job, but he loves it. His father get to fly for peanuts all over the world. Nice benefit. My cousin spent a lot of money getting his training. But set for life now.

[geriatrickid]

"Management says it intends to press charges after two senior directors were manhandled."

So who gets charges pressed against them for the newly unemployed?

Air France has a bloated workforce. The collective agreement is such that short of a serious crime, it is near impossible to terminate an employee. The only way to control payroll is to eliminate routes. This will result in generous packages being paid to the redundant workers. AF has been cursed by a very nasty group of workers over the past decade. The union has diligently protected its members to the extent that younger employees don't stick around. There are no opportunities for young people because this core group of 40+ year olds treat the company as their cash cow. The AF employees and unions have been slowly killing the airline.

Walk into one of the lounges and there are 4- 5 people of varying intelligence sitting there. 3-4 will not be assisting customers but will instead be playing on their phones or chatting. They will not answer if you ask a question. I recently was on the CDG-BKK flight in J. Poor service, old equipment circa 2000 in need of a deep cleaning and modernization, inedible food, excellent wine, instant Nescafe coffee which is disgusting.

I expect that the CDG-BKK route is one of the Asian routes on the chopping block. No big loss.

[geriatrickid]

I agree with scorecard ,I think the top earners in a company should not earn more than 20 times the lowest paid

When you start a company or become CEO of one, you can put those clauses in its Articles of Incorporating or Bylaws.

Very true of course, but I suspect it will need 'people power' activity in many countries to make it happen, and I sincerely believe that will eventually happen but hopefully without violence.

Can you imagine the very very greedy bankers (and others) of this world coming forward with such ideas and voluntarily installing such policies?

the consequence will just be that the top people will leave to go work for foreign companies.

I think the start can be made in soccer clubs... the top player should not get paid more than 20 times than what the locker room cleaner makes.

The salary & benefit caps should be applied to the unions first, especially the government sector workers.

There are approximately 40 union leaders in the UK who's compensation packages range from 100,000 pounds to 300,000 pounds. The president of the PFA receives 2 million pounds, but he's a special case.

In the USA the big unions all pay their leaders generously. For example, Exec VP of AFL CIO - $369,000

The salary & benefit caps should be

[Humberstone]

You're correct, the salaries of top TU bosses are way too high. But, the corporate culture has changed from when I was very young. At that time a CEO of a private company was paid abount the same as a Doctor or a Dentist, still a very good salary by the standards of the time but realistic. Things changed in sometime in the 1980's when executive salaries went crazy with stock options etc piled on top.By way of example,the company I work for is a MN with many useless senior managers that have become too expensive to retrench leading to a top heavy inefficient organization.

[elgordo38]

One reason I would never fly Air France...employees who act like a baying rabble! Peaceful protest, boycotts, strikes are fine but physically attacking others for doing their jobs is out of bounds. I would hope the airline's criminal assault complaint is taken seriously and the perps are tossed in the slammer to cool off and learn some manners.

Looking at your avatar I can only guess where your sympathies lie and its not with workers. Once you start treating workers as animals they react in kind. Sadly peaceful protests get you nothing today. Yes fill the jails with these perps but leave room as many more will be coming. Guess who foots the bill for all of this jailing?

[OMGImInPattaya]

One reason I would never fly Air France...employees who act like a baying rabble! Peaceful protest, boycotts, strikes are fine but physically attacking others for doing their jobs is out of bounds. I would hope the airline's criminal assault complaint is taken seriously and the perps are tossed in the slammer to cool off and learn some manners.

Looking at your avatar I can only guess where your sympathies lie and its not with workers. Once you start treating workers as animals they react in kind. Sadly peaceful protests get you nothing today. Yes fill the jails with these perps but leave room as many more will be coming. Guess who foots the bill for all of this jailing?

I think you need to examine my avatar more closely...the jokes on you.