Sony execs detained by workers over severance pay
The CEO and head of human resources of Sony France have been freed after being held by union workers who demanded better severance packages.
When employees at Sony's operation in France didn't get severance packages they considered fair, they took matters into their own hands.
On Friday, union workers freed Serge Foucher, CEO of Sony France, and Roland Bentz, head of human resources, from the company's factory in southwest France where they had been held since Thursday afternoon, according to a report by the Associated Press. Employees were angry over the terms of their severance, and kept the two from leaving as a way of protest.
The union representing the employees freed the two executives on the condition that Sony management restart discussions regarding the pay packages. The employees say they want vocational training to help them find new jobs, as well as relocation packages if necessary.
Sony announced it would be closing the plant, along with several others worldwide in an attempt to save the company $1.1 billion annually by 2010.