Works council discusses job losses at EDF

The European works council at the French company EDF, which brings together employee representatives from across Europe, is calling an extraordinary meeting to discuss the company's plans for job cuts.

The works council points out that 5% of the workforce has been eliminated in the last three years, with a "severely negative impact on working conditions". It is holding the extraordinary meeting in Poland - where EDF plans a 50% cut in employment by 2007 - and is looking for commitments on employment from the company management.

EDF employs around 140,000 people in Europe, including 11,000 in the UK. The businesses it owns include London Energy (formerly London Electricity) and 24/7.