Social pressure mounts at Airbus France, where trade unions have called for a strike this week.

The federation of trade unions thus wants to protest against Airbus’s decision to regroup its German sites within a holding –to be 100%-owned by EADS- while proceeding with the sale of the French sites. The unions denounce the difference of “treatment” between France and Germany. In response, Thomas Enders conceded that Airbus was selling off its sites “at the worst timing”, due to the falling dollar and credit crisis, but the group will “keep on going the same direction”. Mr Enders said he was not “too impressed” by the French unions’ calls for a strike, adding “strikes happen” anyway. AFP (22/04), DPA (22/04), La Tribune, Le Figaro Economie, France Soir, L’Humanite