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Television images also showed airline human resources and labor
relations chief Xavier Broseta being jostled, his shirt ripped
off and his tie hanging from his neck, battling his way through
crowds of workers as he sought to escape.
Broseta and Air France Chief Executive Frederic Gagey had been
detailing a "Plan B" to reduce costs at the carrier after
negotiations with pilots and cabin crew in an effort to reach
concessions that could lead to a softer deal failed.
CEO Gagey had already left the room before the works council
meeting near Charles de Gaulle airport north of Paris was
interrupted after about an hour.
Parent Air France-KLM said shortly afterwards that it planned to
take legal action over "aggravated violence" carried out against
its managers.
"This violence was carried out by particularly violent, isolated
individuals, whereas the protest by striking personnel was
taking place calmly up until then," an Air France-KLM spokesman
said.
Air France confirmed in the meeting that it planned to cut 2,900
jobs by 2017 and shed 14 aircraft from its long-haul fleet, two
union sources said.
The cuts include 1,700 ground staff, 900 cabin crew and 300
pilots, the sources said. The long-haul business would be
reduced by 10 percent.
The French airline also wants to cancel its order for Boeing 787
Dreamliner aircraft, the sources added. Air France-KLM has 19
787-9 and six 787-10 jets on order.
Europe's second-largest network carrier is seeking to cope with
pressure from low-cost competition in Europe and Middle East
long-haul carriers, and is at loggerheads with its main pilots
union, the SNPL, over its plans.
(Reporting by Simon Carraud, Jacky Naegelen and Cyril Altmeyer;
Writing by James Regan; Editing by Brian Love and Louise
Heavens)
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