CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (April 2, 2001)—Group Michelin´s 27,000-strong French work force has voted in favor of the company´s plans for a 35-hour week, to comply with French employment laws.
In a March 29 ballot, almost 60 percent of the 25,650 Michelin employees who voted backed the company´s proposals, which will go into effect May 1, according to a Michelin statement. The French workers will gain between 10 and 15 extra holidays and average pay increases of about 4 percent. The company also will recruit 1,000 additional full-time staff to compensate for the shortened workweek.