It has been a while since I took French in high school, but I can understand enough to know that the musician in a video sent to me is not a big fan of Meadwestvaco.
The Richmond-based packaging company closed its manufacturing facility in Chateauroux, France, in December, leaving 162 employees without jobs. Last June, almost 100 workers at the plant were laid off. That round of layoffs sparked a three-day hunger strike.
Apparently the handling of the plant’s closure did not sit well with the employees, who staged protests in the town.
Former employee Jose Loureiro made a song about it. As I said, I do not know what he is saying, but it is a catchy tune. The video contains a few images of the factory and the protests.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKhVL2M_n9w[/youtube]
Below is an excerpt from the letter Loureiro sent to Meadwestvaco Chairman John Luke, which also included a copy of the song on CD:
If the decision to close the site was to apply the liquidation Meadwestvaco Packaging and layoffs of its 162 employees, which will add dozens (even hundreds) of other indirect jobs would be a disaster for the new employment in our region and our country.
After leading European cardboard packaging for 44 years, all employees can not accept that the plant can be dismantled and Chateauroux staff thrown in the street to get profit maximization.
When we know the figures for the Group’s performance results Meadwestvaco, including those of their treasury, which ranged in 2006 to $ 156 million and are growing to $ 850 million in 2009, it can only be shocked that we can yet tell us to sacrifice on the altar 162 families save money!
It is partly this reason that I wanted to do that song denouncing the manner and method by which the European Directorate has misled his staff violated signed agreements and contempt of his employees. It allowed me to remove my anger and stress in which I lived with my colleagues for a year and a half consecutive social plans, it has been for me as an escape.
In the letter, Loureiro maintained that a failure to reinvest in machinery and equipment made the operation obsolete and a target for closure.
MeadWestvaco reported a first quarter profit of $24 million, compared with a $79 million loss the year before. Results were obtained by internal cost cutting and aided by an improving economy.
It has been a while since I took French in high school, but I can understand enough to know that the musician in a video sent to me is not a big fan of Meadwestvaco.
The Richmond-based packaging company closed its manufacturing facility in Chateauroux, France, in December, leaving 162 employees without jobs. Last June, almost 100 workers at the plant were laid off. That round of layoffs sparked a three-day hunger strike.
Apparently the handling of the plant’s closure did not sit well with the employees, who staged protests in the town.
Former employee Jose Loureiro made a song about it. As I said, I do not know what he is saying, but it is a catchy tune. The video contains a few images of the factory and the protests.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKhVL2M_n9w[/youtube]
Below is an excerpt from the letter Loureiro sent to Meadwestvaco Chairman John Luke, which also included a copy of the song on CD:
If the decision to close the site was to apply the liquidation Meadwestvaco Packaging and layoffs of its 162 employees, which will add dozens (even hundreds) of other indirect jobs would be a disaster for the new employment in our region and our country.
After leading European cardboard packaging for 44 years, all employees can not accept that the plant can be dismantled and Chateauroux staff thrown in the street to get profit maximization.
When we know the figures for the Group’s performance results Meadwestvaco, including those of their treasury, which ranged in 2006 to $ 156 million and are growing to $ 850 million in 2009, it can only be shocked that we can yet tell us to sacrifice on the altar 162 families save money!
It is partly this reason that I wanted to do that song denouncing the manner and method by which the European Directorate has misled his staff violated signed agreements and contempt of his employees. It allowed me to remove my anger and stress in which I lived with my colleagues for a year and a half consecutive social plans, it has been for me as an escape.
In the letter, Loureiro maintained that a failure to reinvest in machinery and equipment made the operation obsolete and a target for closure.
MeadWestvaco reported a first quarter profit of $24 million, compared with a $79 million loss the year before. Results were obtained by internal cost cutting and aided by an improving economy.
Hello has all, thank you d’ to have diffused on your site the complaint of paid of MeadWestvaco Packing of Chateauroux against the ” barbarie” of its leaders, the fight n’ is not finished and the employees do not lower the arms because they have the feeling of the accuracy of their fight, well cordially, Jose Loureiro
Why give time to such drivel? So the plant closing impacts the town, what is MWV supposed to do about it? Are these people owed jobs for life? No doubt the lack of efficiency caused by such a sense of entitlement had something to do with the closing. Instead of protesting these people would be better off trying to start their own business or at least taking a course in economics. Then at least they would get a bit closer to reality.
It breaks my heart to know these employees lost their job because of corporate greed. I know two of these employees personally and I cried to know of their situation.
Why does the town care so much? Well probably, because Chatearoux is a town of industry and when a company such as Mead that employed well over 160 people no longer have their jobs, that really impacts the community. Chateauroux is a small town and it needs its industries to stop being so darn greedy. Are these folks suppose to go back in time and make goat cheese for a living?
I forgot to mention that terminating employees a few days before Christmas is darn right vicious and it shows how much Mead really cares about its people. Discarded like a piece of used tissue. Shame on big business for their lack of a soul.
In answer ” has; Keith West ” , I announce to him that l’ machine of Chateauroux installed in 1966 with public funds was the floret of the group and allowed by the work of all its employees d’ to be this qu’ it is! Does MeadWestvaco develop full with product in Europe, Médicaments, packing of fish etc… why not has Chateauroux?? , the employees of Chateauroux always showed their competence, will see the machine of conditioning developed by the French engineers of MeadWestvaco Europe Engineering!! The problem of the laws on work do not have one of them, China,… Read more »
On behalf of 2 Patrick.
One thank you to Patricia (American but French citizen of heart) for its support. Keith West understood nothing on the financial systems. Contrary to its President (OBAMA) who wants already copied the french system of the Social Security.