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Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
The firm of Marty at Cuzorn (47) has manufactured parquet flooring for the past 70 years, and isn’t a place associated with the French passion for strikes. But on March 10, all but 20 of their 500-strong workforce were out in the road or staying at home. Reason? – the Swiss-based group NFI
which now owns Marty had responded to a gloomy financial report by ordering a three-day week and no renewal of short-term contracts.
Employees and unions were furious, blaming the group for lack of investment and top-heavy management. Local boss Frédéric Marty sympathises, but admits that the market for this luxury product is difficult and belt-tightening decisions can’t be avoided. Jobs are short in this area, and local politicians will have to work hard to solve the dispute.
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