Michelin workers to vote on 35-hour week proposal

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (Jan. 4)—Groupe Michelin will hold a referendum on Jan. 25 to enable its 27,000-strong work force in France to vote on its proposals for the introduction of a 35-hour week under French labor law. Michelin´s proposals include a 15-day reduction in the working year, a 5-percent pay rise in 2001 and inflation-linked rises in the next two years, more flexible working patterns and the employment of 1,000 new workers. The company´s terms are substantially better than those required under the recently introduced regulations in France, according to a Michelin statement. The controversial legislation is intended to cut unemployment in the country by reducing the hours worked by those already in employment, without loss of pay.