Air France: conflicts threaten three departures on holiday

While looming two weekends among the busiest in passenger of the year, Air France warned of now-already-and its passengers that they may have to be patient. If the airline has reached an agreement with the seven unions of Stewart and hostesses, thus avoiding a first strike scheduled for July 29 and August 1, she still faces other threats to social movements.

Two pilots notice

The first is the drivers. Tuesday, three minority unions – the SPAF, the Alter and R'Ways – have in fact filed a strike notice for the same July 29 to August 1. As the crew before them, the drivers are protesting against the offensive "anti-low cost" Air France plans to launch in its databases province. The new operation is expected to result, according to the drivers, an increase in the number of hours worked and trips a day.

For now, this movement somewhat worried the company, which does not anticipate any disruption in traffic this particular weekend. She feared much more the second notice, filed for the weekend of August 5 to 8, by the powerful pilots' union SNPL. Especially since the solutions to this conflict then escape it, since it is the government that is directly targeted. The pilots claim in fact the culmination of the reform of the Pension Fund of seafarers, which began three years ago. This morning, Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand told Europe 1 radio he was "hopeful" of finding a solution to the conflict. A mediator was appointed in early July to resolve this issue, which divides pilots and cabin crew.Raphael Hadas-Lebel, who assumes the function of mediator in addition to the Chairman of the Board of Retirement Guidance (NRC) "shall make its findings in the coming hours," said Xavier Bertrand this morning payday loans for bad credit.

The mechanics harden the tone

But at the same time, the management of Air France must also manage a third conflict, less publicized than those of pilots and aircrew, but highly impacting: some 4000 engineers responsible for maintenance of 260 units of the company practice of walkouts, for seven weeks.

If the company minimizes the facts explaining that stoppages of one or more hours that are 50 to 100 people, the impact on traffic is nonetheless real. According to Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France, long flights and medium-haul flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle accuse each day delays of 15 to 20 minutes.Management also recognizes that it is obliged to postpone the launch of a two-plane in the evening to morning. Orly airport and Toulouse are also affected.

And before the stalled negotiations on wage demands, the engineers are threatening to get tough tonight at 22 hours. "Delays are possible and we do not exclude some cancellations," said Air France AFP. Alert bulletins on traffic conditions are published to the attention of travelers on the website of the company.

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Greece: The judge left with insufficient

In general, policy makers and global economic welcomed on Friday the new aid package of nearly 160 billion euros to save Greece. In France, François Baroin, the Minister of Economy, and Valerie Pécresse, his counterpart in the Budget, were the first to emphasize the benefits of the plan this morning on RTL and RMC, respectively. It's then Prime Minister, Francois Fillon, who returned on the details of the agreement, and most importantly, who has estimated the cost to France at 15 billion euros. All three said they were very satisfied with this plan. But French opposition, meanwhile, remains critical.

• François Hollande (PS) The socialist candidate for president in 2012 called Friday for "late and poor" the new plan of aid to Greece, even if deemed "necessary."At the micro de France Info, François Hollande spoke of "relief": "The markets for some time will be appeased, especially since it is the States that will make the main effort." However, it refrains from any "complacent", saying the plan is insufficient. He deplored, among other things that the tax credit was set aside.

• Martine Aubry (PS) Another presidential candidate, former secretary of the Socialist Party also welcomed an agreement has been reached. But the problem is "whole" in terms of "building the government of the euro," she said in a statement. Thus, "Europe has risen almost a disaster: the collapse of the single currency by lack of political action against speculation," says she. Before qualifying as "unacceptable" that "the rating agencies weigh so much on the choices that affect half a billion people."And reiterates its desire to create a tax on financial transactions.

• François Bayrou (Modem) – The plan "will not" slammed the president of the Democratic Movement. He sees in this agreement a lifeline intended to give "relief to the Greek government." To him, other crises will undermine the euro area. It regrets in particular that the measures adopted to reform the banking sector of Athens were not extended to other members of the euro area. Before you lament that "the rules and structures of defense systems of the European currency" has not been established.

• Arnaud Montebourg (PS) – The agreement "will likely relieve pressure and gain more time," said the PS deputy and president of the General Council of Saone-et-Loire. It considers, however, that this plan is not a solution as "effective and fair" that he should have been.Among other things, he accuses him of "load" European taxpayers by saving the banking sector.

• Marine Le Pen (FN) The leader of the Front National sees in the plan a "very bad news." "Another 109 billion euros of public money spent for nothing," she exclaims, lambasting a euro area "already bankrupt." And renew its desire for a "concerted output of the euro", since the plan "sign the stubbornness of the ruling caste to want to save at least one euro become synonymous with debt, unemployment, and insecurity", asserts she said.

• Jean-Michel Baylet (PRG) – "The measures taken to stop midstream." But esteem is what the president of the Radical Left Party (PRG) in a statement Friday morning. If he sees in "solidarity with Greece" a "necessity", Senator regrets measures "purely technical"."Above all, the vicious circle of speculation is not stopped," he supports, before advocating "a tax on financial transactions of sovereign debt across the European continent."

• Pierre Laurent (PCF) – a decision that "protects the interests of major creditors, banks and insurance companies, and speculators." The national secretary of the PCF has blasted the new plan to help. "The relaxation of systems refinancing and redemption of public debt will not illusion," he criticizes in a letter to AFP. "The risk of widespread collapse of the system is real.The role of the European Central Bank is not redirected, hedge funds are not taxed, the idea of ​​a tax credit is abandoned, "he recites.

• Nicolas Dupont-Aignan (DLR) to the President of the Republic and Member of Standing of Essonne, the "arsonists" played with "firefighter" for "attempting to deceive public opinion still." He sees in this agreement that a "large patch", which "is a little more into debt without the French helping the Greeks." For him, "the cause of the collapse of the economies of south of France" is by no means settled.

Internationally, the reactions are positive

• Philipp Rösler (German Minister of Economy) It expressed satisfaction on Friday, the summit of the eurozone. But he warns that secondary market purchases by the European Financial Stability (EFSF) should be strictly controlled.He recalled that it is one of the cornerstones of the agreement announced Thursday, to the extent that it must allow support of Greece while avoiding spread of the crisis to other economies in the euro area.

• Jan Rostowski (Polish Minister of Finance) He also welcomed a "step in the right direction." "For the first time in years the euro area began to anticipate events," he adds in a micro national radio. Now, even if the rating agencies formally declared insolvency of Greece, "the problems of Athens, Ireland and Portugal are sufficiently well resolved so that it does not spread to other countries," he said.

• Evangelos Venizelos (Greek Minister of Finance) At a press conference Friday morning, the Minister welcomed an agreement that in his view a "great relief".For him, the country's banking system is so "guaranteed and insured." In addition, Evangelos Venizelos welcomed the emergence of a "European meeting" in his view, the decisions of the euro area provided a "clear and precise solution" against "asymmetric warfare [...] between the European Union and the markets. "

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New suicide attempt at the Ministry of Finance

Ill-being at work does not spare officials. A union representative FO Finance tried to end his day on Friday, in full meeting of the Health and Safety (HSC) on working conditions within the Directorate of Public Finance (DGFIP). Several witnesses reported by AFP, the union is currently under observation in hospital, would have exposed the direction the difficulties encountered in connection with his work, before swallowing the contents of a tube of medicine .An accident that occurs just days after the suicide of another officer DGFIP, and one month after that of a labor inspector of Direccte (Regional Business, competition, consumption, labor and employment).

The report of activity to be examined on Friday at HSC, 27 suicides were reported to the Ministries of Economy and Budget in 2010, against 25 in 2009 and 24 in 2008. The growing number of these tragic events, the unions denounced the growing unease of the staff concerned, who suffer in their ongoing reforms. "Those from the general revision of public policies (RGPP) were a source of tension for the agents. But with the planned job cuts still 3100 jobs this year – working conditions deteriorate significantly, "worries Aubursin Lawrence, General Secretary FO."It comes to not being able to respond appropriately to user requests," says her assistant, Frances Gauchet.

A view shared by the occupational health department. "Problems related to job cuts are being felt throughout the hierarchy. This situation is not unique to the Ministry of Finance is now characteristic of the entire administration, "said one doctor. A fact made more difficult for agents to manage the discomfort in the workplace has long been taboo in the public service. For example it is extremely rare for a suicide to be recognized as an accident, unlike the private sector. But progress has been made so far in recent years. "There is now a real awareness of managers and the top hierarchy, the court doctor.A reflection on the organization is conducted, training frameworks in place … This is progress, even if these efforts are undoubtedly effective forced. "

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Facebook declined in North America

Endtime, accident or simple miscalculation? The latest results are already hearing from Facebook debate. Produced by the research department of the information website Inside Facebook – Facebook is independent of the company itself – these statistics indicate that the most famous social networks would decline among Internet users in North America. Facebook has lost 6 million users in the United States between April and May, and 1.52 million in Canada. The community site will now respectively 149.4 and 16.6 million active members.

Based on his own analysis tool, Inside Facebook has also found a small erosion of over 100,000 active users, markets UK, Norwegian and Russian. Box of 687 million active members worldwide, Facebook has however continued to rise over the period.Drawn by Brazil, Mexico and India, the social network has expanded by nearly 12 million Internet users.

Other alerts

Inside Facebook remains cautious about the meaning of these figures. "We're going supervision is closely to see what trends emerge over the long term, note the service. Bugs in the Facebook advertising tool and we get this information, seasonal changes, such as for studies, and other factors can influence short-term figures on a month and hide what is really happening. "

It is also not the first time that analysts observed a drop in speed at Facebook in the U.S.. Last March, the Institute of audience measurement Comscore noted a slowdown in the growth of Facebook in the United States. In April, Nielsen had warned about a decline in time spent by users on Facebook.Farther still, Nielsen had been a decline of 5% of Facebook users in the United Kingdom in early 2008! Explored by 8.5 million UK Internet users then, the social network now boasts over 29 million.

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Greece: Restructuring considered inevitable and frightening

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

While European leaders seek to reassure financial markets by saying that Greece's debt will not be restructured, some strategists say the opposite. "To get out of financial crisis plan which moved the European countries, Greece should be restructured" hard, "said Christophe Donay, chief strategist at Pictet & Cie. In other words, Europe must draw a line under some of Greece's debt-what I call a partial-defect, while recapitalizing banks recorded losses due to restructuring. "

However, the solution currently under discussion at EU level aims to do everything to avoid a "credit event" on the Greek debt, that is to say a default. It is thus considered a new loan to pay 60 to 65 billion euros by 2014.The private sector would also be involved, banks are encouraged to continue investing in the Greek debt to the tune of 15 to 20 billion euros.

"But by giving more money to Greece, Europe or the private sector maintain the regime crisis," says Christophe Donay. "Reading the financial markets on the debt of European countries has changed. Until then, they adopted an accounting approach. In other words, they wondered how Europe should pay to save a troubled country. Today, they wonder whether the European countries generate enough growth to pay off their debts to five or ten years. "

45 years to meet the Maastricht

For Strategist Pictet, the conclusion is clear: the growth rates of financially troubled countries (Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Spain) are insufficient to finance their debts payday loans.Thus, Greece, Ireland and Portugal are expected to show annual growth of 21%, 13% and 8% in ten years to achieve a debt / GDP ratio of 60% as required by the Maastricht criteria. And if one was considering realistic annual growth rate (2%), it would take 45 years to Greece to meet this criterion and 30 years of debt to Ireland. "It is not clear that financial markets are waiting so long," concluded Christopher Donay.

Time is the right thing yet to the euro zone, according to Anton Brender, Chief Economist at Dexia AM. "Lack of Greece, alone, does not pose a problem in itself," he said. But such an event is likely in the current fragility of other countries in the periphery, causing a phenomenon of contagion.If Greece fails, why not also Ireland or Portugal, who also receive assistance from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, will wonder when the markets.

Beyond even this group of countries at risk, "there is a risk of transmission of the crisis countries such as Belgium, Italy and Spain," continues the economist. "You have to give time to the latter, especially, to leave the area of ​​infection by standing on a stable trajectory of debt reduction", defends Anton Brender. For this, one must combine austerity and growth, two goals are incompatible in the short term.

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DSK's arrest revives the debt crisis in Europe

While the Director General of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was charged with attempted rape and arrested in the U.S. yesterday as investors worried about the turn that will take the debt crisis in the euro area, especially in Greece. The indictment of Dominique Strauss-Kahn ally of Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou, arrived in effect at the worst time for Athens. The IMF chief would have had to go in Berlin on Sunday and meet Angela Merkel to discuss a possible new aid to Greece, who won the spring of 2010 using a 110 billion euros, 30 billion from the IMF.This meeting was to take place on the eve of a meeting of the Eurogroup, the Monday night and Tuesday in Brussels, with the main discussions at the agenda of the financial problems that resurface Greece for several days and plaguing the markets, concerned about the risks of bankruptcy of Greece, and the possible contagion to other countries of the euro area.

The IMF will be well represented at the meeting of the Eurogroup, the deputy general manager of operations, Nemat Shafik, who was missionnée to attend. But analysts say the IMF's support to Greece is not as steadfast as Dominique Strauss-Kahn took the reins of the institution.Thus, Eswar Prasad, an analyst at the Brookings Institution told the antenna Bloomberg: "The assumption was that as Dominique Strauss-Kahn remained at the head of the IMF, the institution has not dropped in Europe and continue to support the continent. But the departure of Dominique Strauss-Kahn casts doubt on the intentions of the IMF. "

The IMF board will meet on Monday

Immediate consequence of these doubts, the euro fell to 1.4056 dollars in Tokyo Monday morning, 1.4108 against the dollar in New York Friday night. Against the yen, the European currency eased to 113.61 yen against 113.99 yen.However, shortly after after the opening of financial centers in Europe, the single currency has regained some color, displayed a very slight increase, to 1.4131 dollar.

For its part, the IMF has tried to be reassuring, saying yesterday that he remained "fully functional and operational," after stating that John Lipsky, IMF number two, will the Interim Director General of the institution the time required. The institution must meet its board of directors on Monday to decide the fate of its president at its head.Originally scheduled yesterday the appointment was postponed, the council waiting for new developments to make its decision in this situation that observers deemed "not simple".

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Soon relocations from China to the United States

China's competitiveness is being eroded in favor of the United States. Producing in China soon will cost more than 10-15% cheaper than in the U.S. by 2015, reports a study in the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Taking into account all costs associated with transport and storage, the Chinese advantage will be reduced to less than 10%, even completely canceled, said the U.S. consulting firm. This is mainly because of the progressive narrowing of the gap between industrial wages in both countries.

BCG how he arrives at this conclusion at odds with the traditional discourse of economists? BCG has adjusted the salary cost of the two countries based on the productivity of workers, Americans are more efficient, especially since better-trained than the Chinese. It also took into account the fact that the Chinese currency, the yuan will continue to rise against the dollar in the coming years.BCG analysts believe, after these adjustments, the wages in industrial cities like Shanghai or very dynamic Tianjin will be lower than 30% of those in the United States.

"Because of the lack of skilled labor in China, wages increase by 15% to 20% per year," said Harold Sirkin of Boston Consulting Group in a study published late last week. "We therefore expect that the net cost of labor in industry in China and the U.S. converge around 2015." Before concluding: "We will see many more" Made in USA "these five coming years. "

Americans more productive

While China sees its labor costs rise, the U.S. productivity gain in parallel.More flexible labor code, public grants and favorable agreements negotiated with unions: "Many U.S. states, like Mississippi, South Carolina or Alabama, improve their attractiveness as centers of production to lower cost," says BCG . Some big names in American industry have recently relocated their production to the United States. Caterpillar has recently announced the expansion of a factory production of hydraulic excavators in Texas. About 500 jobs will be created. Previously, NRC had repatriated in 2009 its production of ATMs in Georgia.

Large manufacturers, however, are not going to desert China so far. Goods produced in large scale and require much labor will continue to be produced in China, recognizes BCG.It must be said that the Chinese advantage in terms of cheap labor and unskilled labor remains unparalleled. A study by the U.S. Department of Labor published in April, the average hourly wage cost of a Chinese worker in 2008 represented only 4% of that of a U.S. worker. And only 3% of average wage costs practiced in the eurozone.

The euro soar to $ 1.48

Shortly after the press conference eagerly awaited the U.S. central bank, the euro resumed its advance against the dollar. While the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated his willingness to continue to support the resumption of U.S. growth, the greenback fell to its lowest level since the summer of 2008 against the six major international currencies. Yet the Fed chairman has assured that a "strong dollar and stable in the interest of the United States and the world."But nothing helps, the euro climbed to nearly $ 1.48, its highest level since December 2009 and as the dollar rose against the yen at 82.15 yen 81.55 yen against Tuesday night.

"The changes introduced by the limited material provided by the Fed gave the green light to return to the market trends of recent times, that promote risk-taking (purchase of raw materials, investment in emerging markets)" financed by the back of the weak dollar, noted Alan Ruskin, Deutsche Bank.

On the other hand, the Fed chief has not given any indication of possible rate hikes in the short term, while most major central banks, like the European Central Bank, are engaged in cycles monetary tightening.Thus, the "carry trade" – a strategy arbitrage between interest rates of different currency areas – continue to make the procurement law and penalize the dollar.

Meanwhile, shortly after the speech by Ben Bernanke, gold has reached a new record at 1530 dollars an ounce and silver has it surpassed the $ 50 an ounce.

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Luxury brands adorn homes

Send home a reading chair or rug signed Hermes Christian Lacroix, some have dreamed. For them, the Milan Furniture Fair, the two groups have announced an exclusive ten parts intended for use in homes, all manufactured in partnership with renowned Italian groups.

For the drawing, the saddle has partnered with designers Enzo Mari and Antonio Citterio. For manufacturing, he appealed to the industry giant B & B Italia. The fruits of this collaboration will be available next fall, in forty Hermès boutiques. The latter was also associated with the Italian manufacturer of textile Dedari which will provide a range of fabrics for furniture, wallpaper or carpet that will be, they are marketed in the month of May."In terms of furniture, there is nothing equivalent to the Italian expertise," explained Helen Dubrulle, Voices in the columns.

After a first attempt in 1986, Hermes is therefore in force in the furniture sector with a clear objective: to inflate the share of this branch in the turnover of the group. The group is in fact already present in the home via a range of art products of the table but this activity represents only 5% of its revenue (amounting to 2.4 billion euros in 2010).

For his part, Christian Lacroix has teamed with the Italian company specialized in mosaic, SICIS.

Collaborations chain

For the French luxury brands, which have launched this operation in late diversification, time is catching up. Among the precursors is the American Ralph Lauren in the '60s, has conceptualized the principle of loose fashion.Much later, in 2000, Armani exploited the vein with the launch of Armani Casa, which now boasts 67 outlets worldwide and a turnover up 11% yoy in the first quarter of 2011. For his part, Bulgari is one of the groups fund shareholders who bought small business sector specialists as Italian Cappellini. The clothing brand Loro Piana cashmere specialist, has launched four years ago Loro Piana Interior. Fendi and Versace also have a collection of furniture.

"In France, there is a stylistic inspiration for a long time. Garden furniture signed Dior existed at the same time as the furniture Ralph Lauren but they were not made by the creator.France arrived late because the marks were consistently the distinction between fashion and furniture, "explains Etienne Cochet, director of Maison & Objet trade fair in the design and meeting place for fashion brands in this sector. "When I spoke in my studios 15 years ago, everybody looked at me wrong! fashion was very focused and conceptually was not in the sense to do the decoration, "says one who is also president of Paris Capitale de la Création.

Today, the trend was reversed: "Brands know that development requires an overall concept. They need a ubiquitous, transversality. It is now part of their strategy, "added the specialist.

Thus, in addition to Hermes and Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier has also gone into the deep end.He had imagined in 1992 sofas, wardrobes and beds for its traditional marinara. They have been reissued by the specialist Roche Bobois in June 2010. Kenzo, owned by LVMH, also has a range of furniture all in flowers and origami.

Conquering the palaces

No question, however, for these groups to lose sight of their regular customers. "They are the ones targeted by these products. It's a style that the customer wants to have him and his home. It's logical and legitimate. But it remains a premium spirit. " This refinement should not prevent the marks from the assault of all the furniture in your home, including the most unlikely: "There is no limit to creativity! whether a mark is eye toilet, why not? This would be a great sign of adaptability, "said Etienne Cochet.

According to him, the trend should continue in the years to come.Luxury brands eyeing a market effect in "developing". "There are more and more luxury hotels to be equipped. Paris alone, five new five star hotels will open, "says Etienne Cochet. For brands, "it is a movement that will support their business mode," says he.

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Renault confirms that it paid its informant

The twists in the case of alleged espionage at Renault are continuing. On Wednesday, the manufacturer, speaking through his lawyer Jean Reinhart, confirmed that he paid 250,000 euros to the anonymous informant originally denunciations internally. "We'd be in a range of about 250,000 euros," he said on Europe 1 radio mic, confirming a report in the Chained Duck. This money was given to him by an intermediary, agent of a private intelligence company, which could give them to the mysterious informant in whole or part.

According to the satirical weekly, the source would have received the money between October and December 2010 in exchange for its internal investigation. Duck shackled adds that this person is now claiming 200,000 euros 900,000 euros and still further to provide evidence of what she says. These last two figures were not confirmed by Renault.

The group's lawyer, however, added that for the first time, the builder was ready to unveil the identity of that source. "Renault did not know the identity of the informant. We asked our two security officials, who are alone to know, to deliver his name and address services investigators, "said John Reinhart.

"If injustice has been committed, there will repair"

Tuesday night, other sources claimed that a former military already become a private investigator had received a total of 100,000 euros that had been responsible for redistribution to investigators expected to work on suspicion of espionage. Heard in early 2010 by investigators from the Central Intelligence inside, Michel L, admitted being involved in this case as "biller".

These same sources alleged that the sum of 100,000 euros, "five installments from October to November 2010," passed through his hands. Part of this sum would have been sent to bank accounts in Madrid, whose holders must be identified by investigators.

Renault had originally not wanted to comment on the report of the satirical newspaper, at least not "until the investigation is not over," explained a spokesman. "We want the whole truth comes out and if injustice has been done, there will be compensation," she said just yesterday répétantles remarks by the Director General Patrick Pelata Le Figaro.

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