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Last Updated: Wednesday, 24 May 2006, 20:31 GMT 21:31 UK
French protest over car job cuts
Peugeot protest
Workers from Coventry were joined by European colleagues
Peugeot shareholders meeting in Paris have been told the decision to close the company's plant at Ryton, near Coventry, was difficult but inevitable.

Workers from Warwickshire went to Paris on Wednesday to lobby shareholders of the French car-maker.

Chairman and managing director Jean-Martin Folz said the plant had to close because it was the most expensive in the entire company.

The closure, with the loss of 2,300 jobs, was announced last month.

Mr Folz said he accepted it was bad news for the group and the employees.

He spoke as some workers - who had travelled in coaches overnight from the UK - tried to urge shareholders not to support the decision.

The workers handed out leaflets drawing the attention of shareholders to their plight.

'Just a taster'

They were also joined by colleagues from across Europe.

Peugeot-Citroen plans to cease production in Ryton in stages, with a total closure achieved by next July.

The high-profile campaign by workers has been led by the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G).

They have protested outside dealerships before the Paris demonstration, and plan further action on Friday at a Peugeot salesroom in Holbrook Lane, Coventry.

Jim O'Boyle, T&G convenor at the plant, said: "These events are just a taster of what could happen and shows workers are determined to get the company to properly engage to try and save Ryton for the future."

The workers were heading back to the UK on Wednesday evening. Peugeot declined to comment on the protesters' actions.


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See the demonstration by Peugeot workers in Paris



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