Air France bosses forced to flee as staff storm meeting on job cuts

Air France HR Director helped over a fence by Credit: Reuters

Air France managers fled a meeting on mass job losses after angry staff members with banners and flags stormed the room.

Images show the human resources director Xavier Broseta being jostled, his shirt ripped off with just a tie hanging from his neck as he battled through the crowds to escape.

It follows the news that Air France will cut 2900 jobs by 2017 in a bid to compete with lower cost providers.

The Chief Executive had been meeting with managers to outline plans to reduce costs at the airline after negotiations with flight staff failed.

Xavier Broseta wrestles through the crowds. Credit: Reuters

Parent company Air France-KLM said it planned to take legal action over the "aggravated violence" carried out its managers.

"This violence was carried out by particularly violent, isolated individuals, whereas the protest by striking personnel was taking place calmly up until then," an Air France-KLM spokesman said.

Xavier Broseta had his shirt ripped off by striking workers. Credit: Reuters

The job cuts would include 1,700 ground staff, 900 cabin crew and 300 pilots, reducing the business by 10%. The company would also get rid of 14 aircraft and cancel existing orders including a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.