Explosive French workers threaten second factory

Nortel plant in gas bottle menace

Nortel workers have taken a leaf from the book of their New Fabris comrades and threatened to blow up their company's Yvelines factory unless the telecomms outfit treats them with a bit more respect and to a bit more redundancy cash.

According to Reuters, 480 employees face the chop following "bankruptcy proceedings". Earlier today, workers "placed gas cylinders in front of the plant". Although the cylinders are believed to be empty, it's a clear signal to management that enough is enough.

A union member told Le Parisien: “We are exasperated by the practices of the administrator. A meeting was planned yesterday, but it was cancelled at the last minute. It is not the first time. They have been stringing us along for four days. They have no respect for us.”

Labour minister Xavier Darcos attempted to defuse the situation, and declared on TV: “We are going to speak to each other; we will find solutions that do not require resorting to extreme violence.”

Down at New Fabris, meanwhile, Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroën have been given until 31 July to cough €30k for each of 366 laid-off staff. If they don't, workers will blow up the factory. ®

Bootnote

We suspect that French workers' increasingly drastic attempts to get a fair deal - kidnappings and now bomb threats - can only end one way. Watch out for "give us more cash or we'll nuke central Paris".