France - RFI

Record-breaking strike continues

Article published on the 2009-06-23 Latest update 2009-06-30 13:33 TU

DR

The strike at Radio France Internationale was in its seventh week on Tuesday and staff voted again to continue. At issue is the cutting of about 20 per cent ofthe total number of about 1,000 jobs Talks have been deadlocked, and part of the dispute is playing out in the law courts.

The next court judgement is due on Monday, 29 June 2009.

It will determine whether or not the management's reform and restructuring plan can go ahead in its present form, or whether they will be legally obliged to return to the drawing board as most of the unions demand.

After a series of volleying in Parisian law courts over the past six weeks, most of RFI's broadcasts are still off air. It's the longest strike among French public-service broadcasters since 1968.

Management and most of the trade unions representing jobs across-the-board, have failed to come to agreement.

One union, which represents journalists, technical staff and administrative workers has agreed a severance package with management. However, the unions say they are determined that no staff member shall be sacked.

The employees who attended a union meeting on Tuesday voted to keep the strike going while waiting for the latest legal decision.