Considering how many American autoworkers are losing their jobs this year, the reaction here has been comparatively mild. To our knowledge, no one has threatened to blow up a plant. But that's exactly what's going down in France right now.
All 316 workers at the partsmaker New Fabris will be losing their jobs after the factory closed June 16. New Fabris was a parts supplier to Renault and PSA (the Citroen-Peugeot alliance), and the workers are demanding 30,000 euros (almost $43,000) each in compensation from the automakers.
They've set a deadline of July 31, and workers are taking turns guarding cannisters of acetylene and butane once used to power tractors at the plant.
Auto Observer: French Auto Workers Threaten To Blow Up Factory
heartlessbstrd says:
06:24 PM, 07/16/09
Just like I always say, a dispassionate society is a stable society.
The french have long needed a good dose of apathy.
firstwagon says:
06:55 PM, 07/16/09
And in what possible stretch of the most feeble union mind do they think this is going to have a positive outcome in the end?
billt9 says:
07:34 PM, 07/16/09
who cares about good outcome!
If I'm going to die today, I'm taking you with me!
...like that video game commercial that's been running on TV. Like that. Certainly logical. End of me is the end of you.
Other solution is arrest them all, put them in prison, and give them free food like they will in prison.
stovt001 says:
12:12 AM, 07/17/09
"And in what possible stretch of the most feeble union mind do they think this is going to have a positive outcome in the end?"
Automotive union thinking and positive long term outcomes have seldom gone together. Biting the hand that feeds them has always been the order of the day for automotive unions.
brn says:
07:10 AM, 07/17/09
Hopefully the French media calls them what they are, terrorists.
depot84 says:
09:17 AM, 07/17/09
yeah I know the french are all about a protest but this seems pretty far out there.
carswapper says:
11:00 AM, 07/17/09
They 'll blow up a factory but they rolled over for every invading force to ever conquer them. LOL
greenpony says:
04:15 PM, 07/17/09
And we're working to make this country MORE like France?
firstwagon says:
04:40 PM, 07/17/09
greenpony
How are we doing that?