Angry Union Thugs Attack Air France Execs, Tear Their Clothing Off [video]

By Lina Bryce

Union activists who were protesting Air France’s 3,000 proposed layoffs stormed the airline’s headquarters during a meeting on Monday, sending two managers fleeing from the building with shredded clothing, forcing them to climb over a fence to escape the angry mob pursuing them.

An Associated Press photographer captured nearly a hundred activists rushing the building after breaking through the gate. Soon thereafter, two high-level executives were seen feeling from the building, one whose shirt was completely torn from his body, the other with both shirt and jacket shredded.

According to the Associated Press, Alexandre de Juniac, the CEO of Air France-KLM, said the company is pressured by the lower costs of European and Gulf airlines for long-haul flights. The airline executives reported that the consequence was a plan to lay off 2,900 employees, scaling back routes, primarily to Asia and the Middle East for the airline to remain competitive.

One protester articulated that it was because of government subsidies that they are unable to compete with other companies. Yves Porte, an activist who represents cargo workers said, “The Gulf companies, who have low fuel prices and who receive government subsidies, compete with us. It’s impossible, we are not on a level playing field”.

Unions have called a strike to protest the job cuts, which had been announced after pilots turned down a proposal to work 100 more hours per year for the same salary. It could see 300 pilots, 700 air hostesses and stewards, and 1,900 ground staff laid off by 2017.

One of the executives, identified as Deputy human resources director Xavier Broseta, later told reporters that he had received messages of sympathy from colleagues and some union leaders throughout the day.

With new jacket and tie, Broseta spoke to reporters saying, “We are fighting every day for an Air France that will have lasting growth…Violence and intimidation will have no part of that.”

Prime Minister Manuel Valls spoke out against the attackers of the Air France managers, saying that those who attacked the managers at Air France on Monday must be severely punished.

Air France said they plan to file and aggravated assault complaint. France’s transport secretary, Alain Vidalies, also echoed the PM’s sentiment on Twitter saying that he condemns the violent acts of those responsible, that it was “unacceptable and must be punished.”

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