French Industry Minister Eric Besson says he has been “shocked by the brutality” of wage cuts demanded by Renault supplier Fonderie du Poitou Aluminium (FDP).

The foundry – owned by gasket head supplier Montupet – has been in lock-down for several weeks now as striking workers protest at salary cuts they claim amount to 23% – a 15% wage drop and a further 8% due to a reduction in weekly  working hours from 39h to 35h.

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An official at FDP majority union CFE-CGC told just-auto this morning (5 OCtober) from outside the foundry gates where his members are protesting, that the strike appeared to be gaining the ear of politicians, with Besson’s comments bearing this optimism out.

“We have been shocked by the brutality of the wage proposals made to employees of this business,” Besson said in comments emailed to just-auto by his Ministry in Paris. “I want to insist on one point. Montupet has a EUR400m (US$531m) turnover – this is not a small automotive SME – it’s one of the world leaders in head gaskets that must assume its responsibilities.

“They [Montupet] can’t say to us there aren’t any other solutions except lowering wages, increasing prices or closing the site. We are very clearly requiring from the Group it examines with worker representatives all solutions that can guarantee the future of the foundry in question.”

Besson also revealed he had asked Renault – whose head gaskets are 70% supplied by Montupet according to the Minister – to ask its supplier to take more responsibility – although repeated calls by just-auto to the FDP owner’s headquarters in Paris did not elicit any response.

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“I say very clearly, we will not accept any inaction on the part of Renault and no blackmail on the part of the Montupet Group against its workers as its main client,” said Besson.

“And we are going to say that again very shortly to all parties involved in this matter – we are extremely mobilised.”

Renault was not immediately available for comment.