Air France workers on trial over ripping off bosses’ shirts in union protest

Ten Air France workers face charges of property damage after they ripped off their bosses’ shirts, an extreme example of often antagonistic French labour relations.

Several current and former Air France workers are on trial for allegedly chasing away two executives over a fence, with their shirts ripped off, during a union protest at the airline’s headquarters last year.

Ten Air France workers face charges of property damage after they ripped off their bosses’ shirts, an extreme example of often antagonistic French labour relations. (YouTube screengrab)

The incident, caught on camera, was an extreme example of often antagonistic French labour relations.

Five union members, who have since been fired, stand charges of aggravated assault Tuesday in a court outside Paris. They face up to three years in prison and a 45,000-euro ($51,000) fine if convicted. Ten Air France workers face charges of property damage.

The protest took place last October at a meeting where the executives announced nearly 3,000 job cuts after years of belt-tightening at the airline.