Air France Plans to Cut 10 Percent of Its Work Force

[marmar]

PARIS — Air France said Thursday that it would eliminate more than 5,100 jobs, or 10 percent of its work force, by the end of next year, part of its efforts to return the company to profitability at a time of deepening economic gloom across Europe.

Facing intense pressure from the French government to avoid layoffs in the current environment, Air France presented a plan to unions that it said would achieve the cuts through attrition and a mix of early retirements, voluntary departures and reduced working hours. But the airline warned that it could have to resort to dismissals if labor groups voted next month to reject the proposals.

“Air France is facing a fundamental choice about its future,” Alexandre de Juniac, the airline’s chief executive, said in a statement. “Our business plan has two ambitions: to ensure Air France returns to profitability, and to better serve our customers. If we all make the necessary, equitably distributed efforts, there will be no forced departures.”

Michel Salomon, a spokesman for the Air France branch of the C.F.D.T. union, said the cuts represented a “heavy toll,” though he welcomed attempts to avoid layoffs. Still, he expressed concern that management’s goals would be hard to achieve solely through voluntary means within 18 months. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/business/global/air-france-plans-to-cut-10-percent-of-its-work-force.html