France: Peugeot strikers picket offices

The workers, employed by subcontractors unsuccessfully demanded a meeting with management. Workers from Aulnay (Seine-Saint-Denis) have been on strike since the 28th of February. Their demands for a salary increase of 300e per month and for a minimum monthly salary of 1500 euros were described as "unacceptable" by management. They argue that due to their company-wide salary policy any raise would have to be matched in every plant leading to an 800M euro increase in costs.

They were joined by striking workers from Lear, another subcontractor, who have been striking since the 23rd of March. Who are now asking for a 50e per month increase, after initially calling for 150e.

Delegates from the unions involved, (CGT and SUD) met with the Socialist president of the region, he called for further discussion "management must enter negotiations must be undertaken, even if they do not meet all of the strikers demands."

There was a sympathy strike at a factory in Sidoubs where 50 of the 500 strong workforce blockaded the factory, bringing production at the flagship plant at Sochaux almost to a halt, some cars came off the production line with no seats due to a lack of parts.