Workers, Unions, Economy, Trouble

It would be a mistake to compare labor or labor law in America with the same in Europe, particularly France. It would also be a mistake to ignore what’s going on in France right now. France is part of the western civilized world. It’s also feeling the brunt of today’s terrible economy.

As reported in the New York Times, some union workers have reached a breaking point. Hit by layoffs, the likelihood of additional layoffs, and employer demands to make unheard of concessions, French workers have taken to kidnapping their bosses. After holding them hostage for a while and receiving assurance from the French government that it will intervene on behalf of the workers, the bosses are released unharmed — so far.

French union members are now using another tactic: threatening to blow up their factories unless they receive more severance pay. No bombings yet, but the worldwide global economic slump isn’t letting up in France.

A union specialist in Paris recently responded to these worker demands: “Today, the French don’t take these threats too seriously.” Why? Blowing up factories would turn the public against the unions.

This sounds like a statement made on behalf of the king of England in the 18th century when the colonists on this side of the Atlantic were making threats, claiming rights, and struggling to keep food on the table. I’m not sure that the leaders of any country get how much their citizens are hurting these days. I also wonder sometimes whether the leaders of businesses get how much their employees and former employees are hurting. Given today’s continuing worldwide recession, I’m not sure it’s such a good idea to ignore anyone’s threats.