French workers capture boss

The chief executive of Sony in France was held overnight by striking workers at the company's factory in Pontoux-sur-l'Adrour in south-west France.

The plant's 311 workers are to be laid off as part of the electronics giant's plans to save Y100bn. The company has so far refused to cover the relocation costs of workers.

Representatives of the CGT union claimed that preventing the men from leaving was the only way to get management to listen to them. "We hope that this time our voices will be heard," says union representative Patrick Achaguer.

The bosses were only allowed to leave the site when the French government stepped in to force management to return to the negotiating table.

And this is not the only expression of the growing desperation and power of workers. Last month two bosses from Michelin, the tyre manufacturer were held for two days by workers trying to stop a factory closure.

British trade unions could learn a great deal from French tactics.