Hundreds of workers blocked Renault’s Sandouville plant yesterday (Monday 12 October) in protest against planned job cuts.
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Renault plans to cut 1,000 out of a total of 3,700 jobs at the plant, as part of a restructuring plan that will see 4,000 jobs go across France. All of the cuts at Sandouville are expected to be made through a voluntary programme.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy has promised retraining for those who lose their jobs and promised that the plant will not be closed. The plants currently builds the Laguna but from 2012 new trucks will be built at the plant. The French government has a 15.01% stake in the company.
Renault is hoping that 3,000 ‘overhead’ staff not directly linked to production plus about 1,000 Sandouville employees, including production staff, will take up the offer, which is open until 30 April.
The deal offers employees a variety of options to leave or retire. The best packages are available to those who take up the offer before the end of this year, however.
Renault is looking for cost savings of EUR350m in 2009 and EUR500m euros in 2010. Renault has also reduced its 2009 sales forecast by 10% to 3m units.
It is understood that unions have suggested other ideas, such as cutting car prices to boost sales, rather than layoffs.
Renault offers 4,000 voluntary exit
