France confirms 10,000 job cuts at Airbus

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

PARIS (AFP) — French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has confirmed that 10,000 job cuts were planned at European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, but urged there be "no compulsory layoffs."

"10,000 jobs, that is what is envisaged in the plan. Still the way things are handled must be considered. We say: no compulsory layoffs..," he told RTL radio.

His comments follow a decision Monday by Airbus to delay unveiling its long-awaited rescue plan, pointing to renewed strains between Germany and France about about where cuts will fall.

The group had planned to unveil details of its cost-cutting scheme to its 56,000-strong workforce on Tuesday, but the board of parent company EADS was unable to approve the package of measures at a meeting on Sunday, Airbus said....