Home > Election posters under strike threat
The French subsidiary of US-based outdoor advertising specialist ClearChannel is facing industrial action over pay increases. Ironically, the company is in charge of putting up official election posters since it won a public tender in 2002.
Staff who have been picketing several depots for four days are threatening to disrupt the election campaign, although CearChannel France boss Vincent Piot has promised that the strike would not affect this aspect of its business.
French law provides equal space to all candidates on billboards erected outside polling stations during the two weeks leading up to the election. The governments supports the cost of putting up each candidate’s posters on those billboards and contracts out the work.
Trade unions at are asking ClearChannel to give those paid under €1,600 a €200 rise.
Socialist candidate Ségolène Royal and other left-wing contenders have promised a €300+ increase in the minimum wage, from €1,160 to €1,500 per month for a full-time job.
ClearChannel employees seem ready to settle for a little less, but they will not wait until the election - they have already voted with their feet.