Air France Executives Attacked after announcing Job Cuts

Speaking after images of a human resources manager with his shirt ripped off were shown around the world’s media, he also said the day’s events amounted to a “caricature” of France that was unhelpful to the airline’s future. Alain Vidalies, France’s transport secretary, said the violence was “unacceptable and must be punished”.

The airline’s parent company, Air France-KLM, said it planned to take legal action over what it described as “aggravated violence” towards its senior staff.

Air France executives had a tough morning on Monday as they left Charles de Gaulle Airport to see throngs of angry workers protesting their decision to cut almost 3,000 jobs in the company.

The men were taking part in talks about plans for 2,900 job losses when hundreds of workers stormed into Air France headquarters at Roissy.

Another executive, Pierre Plissonnier, who is responsible for the long-haul flight division, had his shirt and jacket torn in the scrum.

Shirtless Air France executive Xavier Broseta, tries to cross a fence, helped by security and police officers.

As the Air France executives detailed the latest restructuring plan, union activists swarmed into the room, waving flags and chanting protests…

The Prime Minister says the government supports the Air France management in its effort to turn the company around.

Officials at the French employers’ federation MEDEF were appalled at Monday’s scenes and said they would harm France’s reputation. The demonstration injured seven people including security guards.

The management condemned the “physical violence”, and said it would file complaints to the police.

Union leaders at Dutch company KLM have criticised the pilots’ union in France, telling RFI on Monday that they are increasingly anxious about the impact the Air France developments will have on its own activity.

Air France chief executive Frederic Gagey added that the carrier would also reduce its long-haul flights by 10 per cent by 2017, close five of its routes and cancel 35 weekly flights.

According to French law, the airline can’t officially cut employees until mid-December, leaving just a few critical months for the carrier to reach a deal with its workers’ unions.