French Union Calls Strike Over Airbus Space Sector Job Cuts

The French union CGT announced a brief strike by aerospace workers to protest against more than 1,500 job cuts primarily affecting the space sector. The strike, planned for December 12, is set to last several hours and involves workers from companies like Airbus and Thales, where the layoffs are most concentrated.

The CGT, representing about 12% of Airbus workers in France, has called this action in response to Airbus's decision to reduce its workforce by 2,000 in its Defense and Space division, with 540 jobs cut in France alone, 424 of which are in Toulouse. The union's frustration stems from these layoffs occurring at a time when Airbus reports full order books, leading to concerns over employment stability and working conditions.

Sebastien Rostan, a CGT representative at Airbus Defence and Space, criticized the move, stating, "It's a big proportion of employment at a time when the workload and order books are full, so it will be a real problem to deliver what we have been asked. Work conditions have been deteriorating." This statement reflects a broader sentiment among workers who feel that the job cuts are not justified given the current demand for aerospace products. 

The strike is intended not only as a protest against the layoffs but also as a call for better job security, improved working conditions, and a reevaluation of how these workforce reductions are managed. The action aims to pressure both the companies and the French government to intervene, ensuring that the space industry, vital for France's technological and economic standing, does not lose its skilled workforce at such a critical juncture.