TUI France Employees to Protest Job Cuts in Brussels, Bypassing Morocco-Based CEO

"We have abandoned the idea of trying to negotiate with the CEO of TUI France, based in Morocco, who deigns not to speak to us, and we will address his hierarchical superior, Elie Bruyninckx in Zaventem (Brussels airport) on July 23," Lazare Razkallah (CGT), secretary of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE), told AFP.

According to him, a delegation composed of the CSE, employees of the TUI France travel agency, deputies and the communist senator Fabien Gay intends to go to Brussels-Zaventem, headquarters of the Western Region (manager of TUI France, Netherlands and Belgium), on July 23.

In response to an open letter from the TUI France CSE, Elie Bruyninckx outlines the deteriorating economic situation of the group. "The crisis has reshuffled the cards, weakening the group’s situation. (...) The urgency of the situation has led him to have to consider drastic measures to allow a chance for the continuation of the activity," he explained, specifying that "in most cases" these measures "will involve a reduction in staff that could potentially affect 8,000 positions worldwide".

"The already fragile situation of TUI France, with significant losses for several years, and now further deteriorated by the crisis, leaves no room for maneuver and augured a state of cessation of payments in the very short term," continues Mr. Bruyninckx, adding that "even if TUI’s resources are limited today, the group has nevertheless confirmed that it is willing to support TUI France in order to avoid bankruptcy".

"Mr. Bruyninckx is in the world after," comments the CSE secretary. "The layoff of 600 TUI France employees, that’s the past. For him, we need to focus on the essentials, namely ensuring a bright future for TUI France".