Airbus has «clipped workers wings»
The largest civil planes manufacturer in Europe Airbus has started procedure of re-structuring, having declared about dismissal of 10 thousand employees and having specified factories which will be closed or sold. In reply to Airbus factories in France and Germany, the not planned meetings are successively being held in these countries, and trade unions promise some national strikes.
Crisis in Airbus Company has begun because of failure of deliveries of plane A380. The company transferred the beginning of its manufacture three times that has displeased the air carriers which have in advance signed contracts with Airbus. The American operator of service express train-delivery FedEx has even been compelled to cancel the order for the European planes and to sign the contract on delivery of 15 cargos Boeing 777. The better situation for the American Airbus’ competitor couldn’t even be thought of.
As the result, Gustav Humbert and also executive director of the basic shareholder of the company of concern EADS Noel Forgeard had to leave Airbus. Humbert’ position then has been occupied by Christian Streiff, however has managed to work in Airbus only for three months. Streiff’s successor -Louis Gallois has introduced saving for the company and ruinous for many workers plan of re-structuring Airbus under the name “Power8″.
How much do 10 thousand workers cost?
Airbus managers explain Power8 occurrence by company’s necessity to lower costs. They say that it is impossible to compete with other world manufacturers in case of superfluous staff.
The plan of dismissals kept a secret up to the end of winter. The press knew, that by 2010 about 10 thousand employees, or nearly so the fifth part of all staff of the company will be fired.
According to the preliminary data, by 2010 Airbus will save up to 5 billion euro due to the reduction and re-structuring. But before the company should spend significant means for payment of indemnifications - only in first quarter of 2007 Airbus will spend almost 900 million dollars on dismissed workers.