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A method agreement was reached between the employees of the plant equipment to automotive Sodimatex Crepy-en-Valois (70 km north of Paris), who threatened to blow up their factory to demand better redundancy, and management, has announced the Prefect of the Oise in the overnight Friday to Saturday.

The unions pledged to "defuse" the gas tank they threatened to burn down and destroy them in exchange for "guarantees" on the smooth progress of negotiations with management, including extra-legal premiums that start 'they ask. On Wednesday, they will meet to negotiate with management, sub-prefecture of Senlis (Oise).

The employees threatened since Thursday set fire to a tank of gas that might blow up the factory.They had prepared Molotov cocktails on Friday morning around the tank nearly five meters long, including gas used to supply forklifts.

"It's not over"

"The MoU is signed, the conciliation process restarts and threats against the company stop", announced to the press the Prefect of the Oise Nicolas Desforges, who chaired the negotiations meeting late into the night No teletrack payday loan. "It's not over, but warned Patrick Testar, spokesman of the Inter. If Wednesday is unable to positive developments, we made clear our prefect is unplugged just the detonator, that's all. "

The employees demanded such a premium extra-legal dismissal of 21,000 euros, similar to what had affected their colleagues from another plant Sodimatex closed in 2006.Two auditors, one appointed by management and the other by the council, must peel the group's accounts and decide on requests of employees regarding severance pay, "said Herv? Mallet of the 'Inter. A conciliator will collect the opinions of two Commissioners and its finding that the state was "committed to promote," says Herv? Mallet.

After leaving very angry the table shortly before 20h, the workers decided to resume talks to try to 22h to reach an agreement improving conditions for departure of 92 employees, including site closure is scheduled for a year.

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The hierarchy of best-selling cars on American soil was again upset. After one year in 2009 when Ford pulled its game and the beginning of 2010 when Toyota has suffered in the wake of massive recalls, the month of March saw GM regain its position as leader of U.S. auto sales. Toyota and Ford ranked second in the third.

Toyota saw its U.S. sales rebound by 40.7% to 186,863 vehicles, while they were down more than 15% and almost 9% respectively in January and February. Jiom Lentz, head of the U.S. subsidiary, expected on Tuesday in an increase of about 35%. In Japan, sales rose 50.7% year on year in March to 204,514 vehicles.

General Motors rose by 20.6% in March on a year in the United States to 188,546 vehicles, having already increased by 11.5% in February.Excluding those marks with a group is to separate (Saab, Hummer) or is being closed (Pontiac, Saturn), the increase in GM sales reached 43.3%.

Ford returns to No. 3

Ford's side saw its sales jump 40% year on year to 183,783 vehicles in March, the United States. Excluding the Swedish brand Volvo, which has just been sold to Chinese Geely, the rising sales of Ford reached 43% in March. The group had already seen its sales increase by 43% in February over a year.

Sales for the former No. 3 U.S., Chrysler, are in turn divided down in March, with a decline of 8% year on year to 92,623 units, after registering a slight increase (0.47 %) in February.

Finally, Nissan reported Wednesday a rise of 43.3% over a year in sales volumes in the U.S. in March. In total, they amounted to 95,468 vehicles.

"Toyota recalls 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S.

Ford has recalled more vehicles than Toyota

"New car registrations rise" Ford overtakes General Motors

After eight rounds of negotiations, the social partners reached Friday to a draft agreement – which must be initialed by the unions – the harassment and workplace violence.

Long opposed to acknowledge that "some forms of work organizations and personnel management cause themselves from violence and harassment, as required by labor, management has finally made a gesture which made available the situation. The employers have admitted that "certain elements of the work environment, including the" management methods "or" mode of operation of the business, could lead to harassment or violence. "The final text is balanced," acknowledged Bernard Salengro, the CFE-CGC, at the exit. "It has evolved in the right direction", agreed Christine Guinand, the CGT, without commenting on the decision of its Central."It is rather positive," said Jean-Louis Malys, the CFDT.

If it took the wave of suicides in France Telecom for the setting, this negotiation was inevitable anyway, since it aims at transposing a European framework agreement adopted in late 2006. It pursues two objectives. Primo, "improve awareness and understanding of employers and employees against harassment and violence at work to better prevent this behavior, reduce and if possible eliminate them." And deuzio their "provide a concrete framework for the identification, prevention and management problems fast cash advance .»

A charter Reference

The draft agreement stipulates that certain employees are more affected than others' because of their gender, sexual orientation, disability or frequency of their relationship with the public. "But all can be victims "of abuse, threats and humiliation, repeated and deliberate" from "lack of respect for the will to harm, destroy". To prevent these abuses, companies should "take a clear position, stating that harassment and violence are not allowed" and the decline "as a charter of Reference describing the procedure in cases of proven facts – the Authors will be punished or even dismissed. They must also "identify the phenomena of harassment or violence at work in order to measure the magnitude (…) and search for preventive measures.

Branches professional requirements are to "develop tools adapted to the situation in their area." Committees of hygiene, safety and working conditions (CHSCT) and occupational physicians are also involved. Managers will be trained.The practical implementation of these provisions in the lives of businesses and their employees may therefore take more time.

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LE FIGARO. – Sales of Fnac fell 1.9% last year, while operating profit was progressing. Have you preferred the return to growth?

Christophe Cuvillier. – We have managed to combine growth and profitability. Our performance is higher than the market in most countries where we operate. We gained market share in areas of the disc and video, thanks to Blu-ray, which FNAC is well placed. Most actions to strengthen our dynamic sales have begun to bear fruit, such as selling video games of chance.

In France, sales leveled off last year after two years of declines. 2010 will Does the year of recovery?

We strive to boost sales.We will continue the deployment of passion spaces in Paris, the provinces and abroad with fifteen new space devoted to comics, to the hi-fi, classical music … All three shops in Paris where we opened the first seven The growth in sales departments concerned is 5 to 10 points above average. We will also carry three to fifteen spaces our stationery.

What is your strategy to accelerate sales on the Internet?

Internet is at the heart of our strategy, we will strengthen the complementarity between the Web and our stores. Our goal is to achieve 10 to 11% of our activity fnac.com in 2010, against 9% last year. A new iPhone application will be launched in late May Customers can interact with the store via their mobile to view a product description or read reviews from users.We will also launch several community sites. Three will be in place by June on comics, manga and photography.

You've also created a "marketplace" …

The space of intermediation between sellers, individuals or professionals, and Internet was far open to sale of editorial products (books, CDs, DVDs …). It will be extended in 2010 to technical products, and offered to customers wishing to order in store. In 24 hours, the entire supply to be so accessible, wherever you be!

Apple multiplies the opening of Apple Stores in France. How do you react to this competition?

This we do not particularly pleased, but it is exciting. If Apple is so ambitious in France is that a lot of success with Fnac, where he conducts much of its sales.We will continue to be a partner with our 25 spaces dedicated to the brand.

Have you decided to sell your 40 stores Fnac Eveil & Games?

We are currently investigating several policy options.

Fran?ois-Henri Pinault, the CEO of PPR repeat last year he wants to sell the Fnac. How do you manage the company and its 14 600 employees in these conditions?

This changes nothing. My horizon is 2015-2020. We will continue our strategy is to build strong positions in stores and on the Internet in France and abroad. Regarding a future new shareholder, it will be important to respect the concept of Fnac.

Stabilize the turnover of The Post in 2010, despite declining mail. That is the goal of President Jean-Paul Bailly, who surrendered Thursday at conservative projections. 2010 is a key year for the group, became a company limited by shares on 1 March in anticipation of a capital increase of 2.7 billion euros, funded by the State and the Caisse des Depots.

The past year has finally been better than expected. Jean-Paul Bailly talks about a "beautiful resistance group in a rather difficult year." The Post has achieved 395 million euros of savings and leaving only three have been replaced. The financial structure remained "almost stable", even if it is "extremely fragile", with net debt of 5.5 billion euros to 4.1 billion euros of equity.The State has hit 105 million euros in dividends, and postal workers have been entitled to 221 euro bonus incentive.

For 2010, "the situation remains fragile," says Jean-Paul Bailly. The situation of the post, which represents 53.8% of sales group, will not improve. Last year, the volume decline (- 5.3%) has accelerated, and 2010 will be the same vein. "We continue to believe that the decline is structural, perhaps with the exception of a small part that is direct marketing," warned the president of La Poste unsecured personal loans .He offset this decline with the development of La Banque Postale and recovery of the parcel and express services.

Mailbox Secure

To learn more, it was not until the next board meeting in mid-April, and the presentation of what management calls its "financial trajectory. It is the strategic plan of The Post in 2015. It will support the recovery of the group before the arrival of the Deposit capital. One thing is certain: The Post must find new sources of growth. She is preparing to launch an offer for mobile phone (our editions of Wednesday), in partnership with a telecommunications operator to limit investment.Jean-Paul Bailly has announced yesterday the launch of Digiposte a secure mailbox on the Internet, where the goal is to eventually receive all their mail management (invoice, bank statement, pay slip …). In late March, The Post Bank will also launch in the consumer credit. "2010 will be a very important year in terms of innovation," promises Jean-Paul Bailly, in all trades.

The online banks will have to convince the French still reluctant. A BVA survey conducted for the Dutch bank ING Direct, four out of five French are not ready to transfer all or part of their funds in a bank online.

Requires close

The first reason given for their refusal is the need for closeness (89% of responses). Even if they are not all satisfied with their current bank, the French chose an institution primarily because it is easy to reach from home or workplace. Then (74%), fear of having no one to contact if problems or unexpected. Finally, the desire to maintain a customized report with a counselor is paramount for 68% of the 736 respondents with an internet connection … and 73% of them feel just as consultants online banks are unreachable.More surprisingly, the French fear the formalities of transfer of accounts and especially the closing costs from their current institution. But the closure of checking accounts are paying more since 2005!

Fresh lean

Yet the French recognize the qualities of online banks. Some like their fee policy on current operations or the free cards are recognized strengths. 35% of respondents spoke as a major factor in choosing a bank. The hourly range is also appreciated. That leaves working on customer relationship … ING, which currently has 750,000 customers in France, with 500,000 more expected within 6 months.

"See the BVA survey for ING Direct

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This is an example of a successful restructuring: nine months ago, Michelin announced its latest restructuring plan in France. A reorganization to enable the factories concerned "to undertake the changes necessary to ensure their sustainability," according Blehaut Frantz, director of Michelin France. At the cost of job cuts as the group is committed to "without resorting to forced departures.

Michel Rollier, co-director of the group, then stated that "the measures announced are not related to the crisis. To keep plants in France, we need to specialize and making them more competitive, "adding" will maintain a strong industrial base in France. The group also will recruit 500 to 800 people per year in France, over the next three years.

The restructuring implemented in 2009 are structured in two parts. A voluntary separation scheme which 1 875 employees responded.These are developments of late-career (early retirement pension). The second part concerns the consolidation of activities in three plants, with 1 093 job cuts. Among the employees concerned, "228 chose to go work in one of fourteen other sites Michelin in France, welcomes Blehaut Frantz. To facilitate this choice, the group has developed a wide range of mobility aids (removal assistance in finding employment for spouses …) . 516 employees are or will retire early – a choice that seems more in tune with the political time.

Helping conversion

Finally, "347 people have chosen a start, accompanied usually stay in their region," said Frantz Blehaut.In fact, these employees had no choice – unless you change the region – their post being deleted and, in the case of plant Noyelles les Seclin (North), their plant closed. However, they received severance pay of between 32 000 and 60 000 for the oldest with a plan to create business. Michelin has also established "career transition workshops, dedicated to the support of people leaving the group. A concept developed in 2008 when the plant closure Kleber Toul which had over 800 employees. This initiative includes the discovery of business recruiting. "We had set up workshops to discover the art of welding and industrial trades related to building, plumbing, electrician … And have some success." To date, 92% of the Toul found a job .Rather than support at arm's activities moribund better develop new ones where demand exists.

The NYSE has hesitated. It finally ended in the red on Wednesday. After rebounding said yesterday (1.52%), the Dow Jones lost 0.20% at 10,038 points. The Nasdaq lost 0.14% to 2148 points and the S & P 500 fell 0.22% to 1068 points.

The wait dominates before confirmation of support from the European Union to Greece. Investors await the meeting of European heads of state tomorrow Thursday after which a European financial aid for Greece should be announced. But doubt persists. "In another hour it was announced that EU countries have agreed in principle to a plan of aid to Greece and then they deny this information," says Patrick O ' Hare, the financial website Briefing.com.

The dollar begun to rise again against the European currency: 1 Euro 1.3732 U.S. dollar is exchanged.Raw side, the barrel of "light crude Texan" is 0.63% to 72.99 dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex).

So probably mingles the concern over the remarks of Ben Bernanke. This has not announced any increase in rates but this is considered soltuion. The discount rate will he, as the statement implied the rumor in the markets in recent days.

Regarding statistics, the trade deficit the U.S. has continued to widen in December, rising by 10.4% compared to November, while analysts expected him to be reduced.

Walt Disney released Tuesday

After Hours, Tuesday, Walt Disney (-0.60% to 29.66 dollars) has released stable profits over one year to 844 million, or 44 cents per share.But excluding special items, earnings per share were 47 cents against 39 cents expected by analysts.

Airgas Inc. (-0.29% To 61.17 dollars) has rejected a hostile takeover of Air Products & Chemicals, describing it as "inadequate".

Arcelor Mittal, the world's number one steel, said it earned 118 million dollars over the year 2009. But the current financial year looks difficult. The U.S. market (-7.43% to 36.56 dollars) endorse the title in Paris.

In addition, Micron Technology (-6.72% to 8.48 dollars) announced it would buy Holodings Numonyx, a producer of memory cards, for $ 1.27 billion.

The bank is not affected by ads for Ben Bernanke.JP Morgan Chase (2.37%), Bank of America (2%) and Goldman Sachs (1.36%) support even though the odds.

Baidu (+9.27% to 475.35 euros) reported a fourth-quarter earnings up 48% to 62.7 million. The competitor Google (-0.08% to 535.95 dollars) in China publishes a profit of $ 1.8 per share.

Dell (+1.99% to 13.52 dollars) has been "upgraded" by Bank of America-Merrill Lynch to buy from neutral.

The Japanese automaker saw decidedly dark days. It's Honda's turn on Wednesday recalled more than 400,000 vehicles, after the Toyota case (1.39% to 75.64 dollars).

And Omnicum, a direct competitor of Havas, which was pleasantly surprised by France, issued a profit decline of 87 to 73 cents per share. The title is almost stable (1.42% to 35.75 dollars).

After the Japanese manufacturer Toyota is Ford's turn to report problems with brakes on hybrid cars. Without explicitly mention a reminder of cars, the manufacturer said that the owners of certain 2010 models of the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid mail to receive a letter advising them to go to their dealer for a free upgrade of the computer system manager braking.

The manufacturer said that the problem occurs when switching between the two braking the vehicle, and that drivers always have an effective braking despite posting misleading.

At Ford, the software problem equip 18,000 cars, but only a small fraction of that total "will suffer a problem, according to a consumer association.

Review of the week, still not good on Wall Street. The flagship index of the U.S. coast, the Dow Jones has sold more than 1.3% over the last five sessions. On the month, it lost 3.5%, its largest monthly decline since February 2009. And from the peak of the year (January 19) at 10,725 points, it dropped 6.1% …

Note that the volatility index rose more than 4.3% on the session. This shows the nervousness of investors.

But Friday had sounded like a new breath of oxygen. The U.S. indices had opened up, certainly not stupendous, but reassuring. Investors initially reacted to the GDP growth of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009. Note however that the whole of 2009, GDP fell by 2.4%.In addition, a new series of good quarterly results have agreed.

According to Christian Parisot, head of economic research at Aurel, "this figure is reassuring for markets and for the future." But that rebound is partly 'technical', relativize does. He explained to the tune of 3.4 points from a "stock effect". Croissancedu the fourth quarter will be weaker in the first quarter of 2010, he said.

Still missing, the index fell

Then the breath was cut. The indices have regained some equilibrium after 20 hours (Paris time), then slid into the technological rouge.Les weigh heavily on the trend. So that finally the Nasdaq plunged 1.45% at 2147.3 points. The Dow Jones dropped 0.52% to 10,067.33 points, under 10,100 points. And the S & P 500 dropped 0.98% to 1073.9 points.

Yet, at 15.45, the figures of industrial activity in the Chicago area for January were pleasantly surprising: ISM index rose to 61.5. Then, ten minutes tardn it was the turn of consumer confidence as measured by the University of Michigan to give pleasure: it has been revised upward to 74.4, reaching its highest level in two years.

The Dow Jones had already ended on a Thursday this very negative (-1.13% to 10,120 points), leaded by the disappointing statistics. Applications weekly unemployment benefits fell during the week ended January 23 (to 470,000) but less than expected. Similarly, orders for durable goods in December increased more slowly than expected (+0.3%).

Yesterday evening, Ben Bernanke has been extended for four years at the helm of the Fed. The markets saw his appointment as a continuity of monetary policy characterized by very low rates.On the same level, China has also sent positive signals to the market today. The Chinese central bank reiterated that it would maintain a "moderately flexible monetary control.

Microsoft guest star

Even the good performance of Wal-Mart (1.52% to 53.4 million) and The Home Depot (+2.5% to $ 28), failed to halt the downtrend.

It is largely explained by the decline in technology stocks. The index closed at losing more than 1%. Apple heavyweight, with a decline of 3.6% to 192.12 dollars, under pressure since he revealed his "Ipad.

The computer giant Microsoft has published the results of its second quarter lagged 2009/2010 after Exchange Thursday, with a turnaround in net income of 60%, to 6.66 billion dollars.The stock has lost 3.36% to 28.18 dollars.

Amazon also announced after market close a net profit in 2009 up 40% to 902 million. The fourth-quarter earnings soared 71% to 384 million. Turnover was 24.51 billion dollars, or 28% more than in 2008. In exchange, the share increased to $ 132 before subsiding, then fall from 0.49% to 125.41 dollars.

Mattel (-1.2% to 19.8 dollars) released before market on Friday, a dramatic increase in its earnings in the fourth quarter: 86% to $ 328.4 million. Over the year the Group achieved a profit of $ 528.7 million, up 39% as well, which reduced per share amounted to $ 1.45 against expectations of 1.24 dollars.

The maker of automation and appliances Honeywell issued before market also net income group share declined slightly (-1.3%) to 698 million in the fourth quarter, in line with analysts' expectations. The title has sold 3.04%, to 38.61 dollars.

The oil company Chevron (-1.68%, to $ 72) on Friday issued a 2009 annual profit fall of 56.2% to 10.483 billion dollars, due to falling prices and pressure on margins .

Furthermore, the group of French telecommunications and media company Vivendi sued by shareholders ruined by its near-collapse in 2002, was convicted of misleading communication. Its CEO at the time, Jean-Marie Messier, has instead been milled.