According to a Dynastar representative who spoke at a meeting of Evolution 2 ski instructors today, an announcement was made on Friday that 90 employees would be laid off at Dynastar in Sallanches. Additionally management announced that Marketing, Fabrication and several other services such the pro shop are being moved to the Rossignol factory at Moirans in the Isere.
Employees fear that so many positions in Sallanches are moving to another part of France and the identity of Dynastar as a separate group could disappear completely. The actual employees being made redundant have not yet been informed of their status.
There are some public demonstrations being being discussed to protest this move, including a possible human chain in Sallanches on Saturday. A Facebook group has been set up http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58504958602&ref=mf which will hopefully keep readers informed of any updates. Ski instructors will be informed by e-mail of the demonstrations.
Dynastar employees are furious. They point out that they have cut costs over the last two years and that Dynastar’s turnover is only down 1% compared to a drop of 24% at Rossignol.
Savoyards have criticised politicians for spending money on the Annecy canditure for the 2018 Winter Olympics but not putting their hands in their pockets for Dynastar.