Union statement:
The joint trade unions representing headquarters-status staff at AFP observe that, over 10 hours after the start of a 24-hour strike movement called against managment’s damaging plans for France and Africa coverage, the agency’s news wires are seriously disrupted.
Meanwhile management, which in other circumstances loves to dramatise things, is maintaining a deafening silence.
This is further proof of the total irresponsibility of the team in charge, which refuses dialogue with staff representatives.
The joint unions call on all staff concerned to keep up the strike movement until 8:00 am Paris time (0700 GMT) tomorrow.
We again call on Paris-based staff to attend a new general assembly at 2:30 pm (1330 GMT) on Thursday February 14. The assembly, on the first floor of the Rue Vivienne premises, will discuss plans for further action.
Joint AFP Unions, Wednesday February 13, 2013