French unions call R-P/Hoechst demo on 30 Jun

17 June 1999 12:51  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--French unions on Thursday called for workers to stage a protest in Paris on 30 June over potential job cuts resulting from the planned merger between French group Rhone-Poulenc (R-P) and Germany's Hoechst to form life sciences company Aventis.

Four unions, the CGT, CFDT, CFTC and FO, are asking employees at Rhone-Poulenc, Hoechst Marion Roussel (HMR) and AgrEvo to take part in the rally. AgrEvo, the 60:40 joint venture between German group Hoechst and Schering, will be absorbed into Aventis as part of the planned merger.

Alain Magnanelli, CGT trade unionist at R-P, told CNI the demonstration will also support "temporary stoppages" that are expected at R-P, HMR and AgrEvo sites across France while the workers are in Paris. The demonstration begins at 10:30 local time (8:30 GMT) and is expected to continue until 13:00, he said.

In a joint statement, the unions said they are demanding that all existing jobs are maintained and want to see "a serious commitment to a reduction in working hours that will lead to real recruitment".

They said they are calling the rally ahead of the extraordinary general meetings of R-P on 13 July and Hoechst on 15 July when shareholders will vote on the merger proposals.

By: Anna Williams
+44 208 652 3214

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