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PARIS (March 31) - Angry French workers facing layoffs at a Caterpillar factory detained four of their bosses Tuesday at the U.S. manufacturer's plant in the Alps and refused to let them leave the premises, union representatives said.

It is the third time in several weeks that French workers have seized their bosses to protest job losses as a result of the global economic crisis.

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Last week, workers at a 3M plant held the company boss for two days, and earlier this month workers at a Sony plant held a similar protest.

Unions representing the workers say they want new talks on Caterpillar's layoff plans at the site in Grenoble. The plant that produces building equipment is supposed to cut 733 jobs in two of its factories in France.

"There is no violence or sequestration, but simply pressure so they restart negotiations," said Pierre Piccarreta, a representative from the CGT union.

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"At a time when the company is making a profit and distributing dividends to shareholders, we want to find a favorable outcome for all the workers and know as quickly as possible where we are going," Piccarreta said.

Caterpillar France says the layoffs are justified. In February, the company said it was facing a 55 percent loss of orders between 2008 and 2009.

In response to the worsening economic prospects, Caterpillar in January announced job cuts that will ultimately eliminate 20,000 positions worldwide.

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Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2009-03-31 08:06:44

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307 comments

Ridinandlookin 06:30:11 PM Mar 31 2009

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MOVE THE PLANT TO TEXAS. SCREW NOBUMBA AND THE FRENCH!!

Ronjvoelkel 05:13:14 PM Mar 31 2009

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Have the French discovered a backbone, or have the American executives just been in France long enough to be bigger whimps than the French?

Ronjvoelkel 05:12:54 PM Mar 31 2009

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Have the French discovered a backbone, or have the American executives just been in France long enough to be bigger ******* than the French?

PYoung9900 04:32:11 PM Mar 31 2009

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If Unions are soooo wonderful, then why are they trying to come into all american companies through the back door now. If it weren't for Arlen Spector, they'd be doing it now. Unions elected Obama, and now he's slamming the unions for the big 3 car companies. They're going to have to negotiate at the table for the big 3 or GM and Chrysler are going to go through bankruptcy and the unions and going to be crying then. The judge will tell them what they will or will not be doing. I'll rejoice then!

Raal246 04:24:43 PM Mar 31 2009

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Thank GOD and Founding Fathers for the right to own a gun and PROTECT yourself! Once you take one of the protesters down, the rest will think twice about kidnaping you! It is the 'terrorist' mentality - we can get away with it, thus we do as we please! I remember the riots in Chicago with burning and looting - yet, NOBODY went to CICERO to steal and BURN - I wonder WHY? Could it be the Italian families would have painted the streets with the rioters's blood? We need more of that - you do a criminal act - society WILL take you out!

SCHPITZBUB 04:04:08 PM Mar 31 2009

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I guess in France it is not illegal to detain someone against their will!

Esperanza711 03:56:10 PM Mar 31 2009

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Close the plant down and see how they like it.

cassellwp 03:48:27 PM Mar 31 2009

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McgowBi: Unions have everything to do with cost's, nothing to do with productivity.They are a parisitical business using fear for profit. Not protecting the weak but protecting those unworthy of the protection, which hurts the employer.Benefits are NOT a right. They are inducements to employment. So please explain, using fact, not union propaganda, to illustrate how unions don't affect end user costs.

McgowBi 03:42:54 PM Mar 31 2009

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Kaelasmom3...Fine. But you have failed to address my questions about the QUALITY of the dresser you looked at for $900.00 plus but decided it was not worth it. Go to an independent cabinetmaker and see if you can get a fine dresser for $900.00. I guarantee you, you'll be looking a long time. And again, a union furniture shop in Virginia. I doubt that is a fact. So unions have nothing to do with the cost of the product despite your suggestion that they do. Good furniture is not cheap.

cassellwp 03:38:44 PM Mar 31 2009

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Shareholders are INVESTORS that have a right to profit from their investment. Employees, have a right to collect their pay each week. No investors, no work. If it takes layoffs for a company to remain profitable and repay it's investors, then thats what needs to happen. Only in Shangra La will it work any other way.Workers are a resource and to be valued, but not parasites like the UAW killing off the host.

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307 comments