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Article: French Workers Hold Bosses Captive to Force Negotiations; President Calls for Order, but Hostage-Taking Continues
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- April 18, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The striking workers had no battle plan, but their jobs were
endangered by layoffs, and they were itching for a confrontation.
So when managers at the U.S.-owned Caterpillar factory here
refused to negotiate under pressure, workers recalled, resentments
that had built up during several years of increasingly sour labor
relations suddenly boiled over. About 40 employees invaded the
executive suite, locked five top bosses inside and said they would
be released only after resuming talks on the strikers' demands.
"It was spontaneous. We just had it with them," said Benoit
Nicolas, 38, a Caterpillar line supervisor and delegate from one of
several striking unions, the General Labor Confederation. ...