SI: French Sony Factory Layoffs Spur Overnight Hostage Situation With Executives

[Christopher]

The chief executive of Sony in France, Serge Foucher, and Roland Bentz, director of human resources, had been prevented from leaving the Sony factory in Pontoux-sur-l’Adrour in south-west France following a protest over redundancy payments on Thursday. The two executives had travelled to Pontoux-sur-l’Adour to meet the 311 workers at the plant before its closure next month as part of Sony’s Y100 billion cost-cutting program. But they found themselves locked in a meeting room while workers barricaded the factory with tree trunks. They were finally released mid-morning on Friday after workers obtained guarantees that they would take part in a new round of negotiations.

“I am happy to be free and to see the light of day again,” said Mr Foucher, following his release which took place when Sony executives agreed to fresh negotiations over the layoffs.

Unionists said the Pontoux-sur-l’Adrour employees had been given a less generous redundancy package than their counterparts at other Sony factories in France. They said had been offered €3,500 if they relocated, whereas the group had promised to cover all the relocation expenses of its other French staff. The plant, which produces videotape and other recording media, employs 311 workers.

“I will never find a job in my field around here,” said Thierry Dussarat, 45, who has worked at the plant for 22 years. “Only big companies employ this kind of staff, and in this region they are rare.”

The plant opened in 1984. Its closure will leave Sony with just one factory in France, near Ribeauville in Alsace. Here are some more pictures of the dramatic event:

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