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Boss Hijackings Spike in France

Anger moves to menace as economic tensions mount

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 1, 2009 4:18 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Worrisome "hijackings" of bosses are spiking in France, underlining the threatening tensions within a staggering economy, reports the Wall Street Journal. Workers angered by layoffs surrounded the car of Salma Hayek's retail tycoon hubby François Pinault in Paris yesterday for over an hour until they were dispersed by riot cops. Four bosses at a French Caterpillar plant were "detained" by workers earlier in the day. Several other incidents over the last weeks include a boss who was kept captive overnight.

The flashpoint is often negotiations over severance packages for laid-off workers, the so-called "social plan" mandated by French law. France isn't worse off financially than other nations, but its egalitarian support for workplace justice often hikes tension. "Mr. Pinault squeezed all the cash he could" from his stores and "now he wants to throw us away," said an angry protester who blocked Pinault's car yesterday.

Head of the Caterpillar plant of Grenoble, Nicolas Polutnik, addresses reporters in his office where he was 'detained' yesterday by angry workers.
Head of the Caterpillar plant of Grenoble, Nicolas Polutnik, addresses reporters in his office where he was 'detained' yesterday by angry workers.   (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Caterpillar workers argue with security officers during a workers' general assembly in front of the factory in Grenoble, French Alps, earlier this month.
Caterpillar workers argue with security officers during a workers' general assembly in front of the factory in Grenoble, French Alps, earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
French retail Francois-Henri Pinault holds the car door for his wife, Salma Hayek, earlier this month. Pinault's car was surrounded for over an hour yesterday by workers angry about layoffs.
French retail Francois-Henri Pinault holds the car door for his wife, Salma Hayek, earlier this month. Pinault's car was surrounded for over an hour yesterday by workers angry about layoffs.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Workers at the Caterpillar plant in Grenoble, French Alps, argue with a police woman in front of the managing directors office yesterday as the head of the Caterpillar plant is detained in his office.
Workers at the Caterpillar plant in Grenoble, French Alps, argue with a police woman in front of the managing directors office yesterday as the head of the Caterpillar plant is detained in his office.   (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
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World • Money

 
France • kidnapping • Paris • strike • workers • Salma Hayek • hijacking • French • Francois-Henri Pinault • recession depression

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