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Archive for May, 2011

SNCF would she yielded to the temptation of quotas? A belief in Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France, SNCF controllers have actually quantified targets to be achieved. A confidential memo was sent in April to all employees of a commercial Train (ECT) in Paris to show them to achieve "four cases per day, with 41% of the amount of PV cashed directly for a minimum of 50 euros per day, the newspaper said.

A bonus system also encourages officers to be zealous by directly targeting travelers who can pay right away, writes the daily. On each transaction, the agents receive a percentage of the total amount, the newspaper said, noting that this system is much more advantageous for controllers if passengers pay on the spot.And that can pay big dividends: The Parisian-Today in France indicates that controllers can receive monthly bonus of up to 700 euros, depending on the zeal and grade. But often, these bonuses, paid from the thirtieth euros harvested, have little impact on total compensation for officers, the newspaper said.

"It will help you be muted

Better performance would also facilitate subsequent ascension of hierarchical controllers. "Everyone knows that if you're a good little soldier, you will have more incentive and it will help you be transferred to the TGV, where you will be better paid," says Sebastian Tarbes, Controller and activist South Rail at Paris- Today in France. Conversely, agents that do not quite verbalize would be punished, according to the newspaper, which cites the case of three officers who received a layoff of five days.They would not have achieved their objectives.

In an interview with Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France, Patricia Lacoste, director of operations at the station, says "there is no political figure but a political fight against fraud." The ruling added that "the objectives are defined in terms of rate control and non-regularization. "The number of adjustments made by a skipper is measured and observed by the average of its capital," says Patricia Lacoste. It also states that "controllers have four objectives: safety, security and backup service."

"Contrary to company policy"

Contacted by lefigaro.fr, CFDT Railwaymen also stresses that "controllers are primarily responsible for sales agents Security and welcoming travelers.In addition, the organization said they had not been aware of the note and "if such guidelines were handed down to us, we would have intervened with management," said a spokesman. The union added that this type of instructions is "contrary to company policy which is not in a logic of repression but rather in a desire to preserve revenue. As for the Advancement of supervisors, the union says they are based on passing examinations, seniority and rating agents.

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Young people do not aspire to the job security. According to a TNS Sofres poll * for AEF released Thursday, students in second year Master (Bac +5) want to work primarily in the private sector. They are almost two thirds (61%) wish to find future employment in a company, against only a third (30%) in the public service, hospital, or territorial government. A finding that contrasts with previous surveys on the subject, but that did not exclusively on those college students having similar profiles to those of larger schools.

"A bias-size grave, Danielle Deruy analysis, executive director of the agency specialized in teaching AEF. For students, salvation is not the public! Today they remind us of another image: they like the company and hopefully they will now. "Only literary exception, because of their high palatability (39%) for teaching careers. Among these students graduate and very end of the course, only 5% also aspire to work in an NGO.

Salary underestimated

In detail, their choices reflect the concerns of a new generation assets. The company to which they aspire to be primarily responsive to its employees, dynamic, innovative and socially responsible. So many choices that confirms the ranking of companies in which to work published this Friday, which ranked first on the wishes of the American students Microsoft. About their work, they hope exciting and friendly, allowing them to learn a lot.Have the opportunity to emigrate, however, is unimportant to them: two masters students even put this criterion in last position.

Wishes which are not inconsistent with some realism. A quarter of them want to find their first job in the council, even if much work for "a comfortable salary." Their remuneration does not appear as long as paramount to elect their future employer. In connection with a labor market that they find it difficult to integrate, rather they underestimate their wages will be eligible. And a majority said it would accept an annual salary of less than 25,000 euros per year, or 1730 euros per month. "They still lack a lot of confidence in them," said Danielle Deruy.The director of the AEF recalls that the average salary of first job found by the Agency for the Employment of Executive spring to 2170 euros gross per month.

* Survey conducted among 6365 students from 28 March to 22 April /

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British phlegm is not what it was. Exasperated by American diplomats who refuse to pay the London congestion charge ", the congestion charge in place since 2005 to move or to park in the capital, the conservative mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has decided to directly attack the President Barack Obama.

Taking advantage of his official visit this week in Britain, he decided – not happy with him claiming some 8.7 million euros in arrears – all cars of the procession would pay tax like everyone else. Starting with the Cadillac of Chief of the U.S. state, nicknamed "the Beast" by the Secret Service because of his size and armor that are, according to experts, a real tank on wheels cheap payday advance.Transport for London, the agency responsible for managing the toll, which depends on the mayor, is trying to calculate the bill at the rate of 11.50 euros per day per vehicle.

The Pope, himself, had nothing to pay in September 2010 but says Boris Johnson in the Evening Standard, the roads were closed to other traffic, while this time, they were not . And beware of other heads of state who want to go to London! All diplomatic missions should in fact the tune of 59 million.

What partly explain the irritation of the elect, who has seen the end of March a half-million English between Westminster and Hyde Park to protest against cuts in the government.

Just e-G8 closed, rumors of geeks running since this morning. And if true, it confirms a big strategic move for Facebook. After launching with Warner Bros VOD (video on demand), the giant with 500 million profiles, whose boss Mark Zuckerberg is one of the VIP guests to meet the eight G8 Heads of State on Thursday – would be a fortnight of launching a music service straming, through a partnership with the nugget Spotify, according the U.S. magazine Forbes.

It is rumored that on the Facebook profiles, left, would be inserted an icon whose name is not yet known, but could be "Facebook Music" or "Spotify on Facebook.It is also said that the alliance would take place without any commitment of money: it would therefore Spotify to be known to great speed in the world, and Facebook, to finally be on the market for music online, like Google, Amazon and Apple.

With these revelations Forbes this morning, citing sources familiar with the social network, shakes blogs, feeds and awakes the twits websites. According to the magazine, if a Facebook user – which is located in a country where this is Spotify – click the new tab, the application will install on his computer screen and allow access to Spotify music library directly from their Facebook profile. Be music, free, for a few hours, or unlimited for those who choose the Premium connection to 10 euros per month.It would be possible to share the song and listened to his "Facebook friends" could enjoy together.

Spotify: a million users and a launch in the U.S.

This partnership would be a real boon for Spotify direct competitor to Pandora or Rhapsody in the U.S. or the French Deezer. The European site for streaming music over the Internet, launched in 2006 in Sweden and in seven European countries, in particular going to launch its first services in the United States this summer, said yesterday one of its shareholders, Sean Parker , Contractor's flagship web world, visiting Paris for e-G8.

Mainly known for founding Napster, the music-sharing software who first shook up the classical model of the music industry, Sean Parker Spotify commme sees a way to encourage people to accept new pay to listen music."I would not say that Spotify is intended to compensate Napster. I would rather call it to finish what I started with Napster, "said the contractor in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the e-G8. Spotify claims a million users to date premium total in England, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Spain, France and the Netherlands, and over ten million subscribers for free.

When e-G8, Neil Rimer, co-founder of Index Ventures investment fund, which invested in several start-ups, said he had "identified a list of companies in Europe are approaching the Cape of billion dollars in sales and who have what it takes to go public. "Among them he cited Spotify.

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Nicolas Sarkozy has opened Tuesday morning the first edition of "e-G8 in Paris. Faced with a thousand decision makers and observers of the Internet – including Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of social networking site Facebook and Eric Schmidt, Google CEO, who made the trip – the president has invited the giants of the Internet to form a delegation to attend Thursday and Friday at the G8 summit in Deauville. Because, for Nicolas Sarkozy, "think the Internet is a historical responsibility to be shared between you (the Internet players, Ed) and we, the Heads of State" have the duty to "recognize the role (the web) in the course of history (…).States wishing to initiate a dialogue with you for a balanced approach might one day be found between your interests, those users who plébiscitent you every day and finally those of the citizens and taxpayers of each nation who also have rights, " the president said. "There is much to do together," he held, inviting them to renew the holding of an e-G8 annually.

The head of state welcomed these Internet giants that have revolutionized the world. Revolution "that belongs to nobody, which has no flag, no slogan, which is a common good," which took place in an "historic" registered "in pacifism." Nicolas Sarkozy also praised the Internet to be a few years become the vector of "unprecedented power of freedom of expression," referring to the revolutions that challenge the Arab region since the beginning of the year.For the head of the state, Internet giants, who have "changed the world just as Galileo, Columbus and Newton, have shaken the foundations of the global economy (they are) become major players" .

Introduce rules on the Web

Still, he stressed the need to control the Internet. "The technology must remain neutral, but the uses are not," he said, arguing that actors do not let it web "convey evil, without hindrance, or restraint" and for the respect of a minimum values ​​and rules on the Web."Full transparency, one that never leaves the man in peace, sooner or later faces the very principle of individual freedom," stressed the French president, arguing that the Internet can not escape "of minimum values, minimum of rules. "

He returned to the issue of intellectual property rights: "I know that the French conception of this principle is different from that of other countries, but nobody should be expropriated with impunity the proceeds of his ideas, his work, his imagination, his intellectual property. "

The Chair recalled that by virtue of that right as creator of those who draw the contours of the Internet have been able to build empires."The writer, director, musician, performer must have the same rights and a fair return for their ideas and their talents."

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They need water to irrigate their crops and wanted to know. Farmers and grain irrigators said Saturday morning blocked four entrances and exits of the A10 serving the Charente-Maritime. The action, which was intended symbolic since it has lasted about five hours, was intended to convey to the prefectural authorities all the evil they think of an order Wednesday that prohibits irrigation throughout the department.

The outputs 34 from Saint-Jean d'Angely, Saintes, 35, 36 and 37 Mirambeau Pons have been closed to traffic during the morning. The axis Niort-La Rochelle, on the RN 11, was also disrupted traffic in the direction of La Rochelle was totally cut off.If there is no "water for Charentais, there are not tourists," explained the farmer Saturday morning.

Already fragile economy

"We can not accept a decision to ban all prefectural irrigation taken by people who are in an office in La Rochelle, denounced Avrard Francis, president of the Departmental Federation of Farmers Unions (FDSEA) Charente Maritime interviewed by La Charente Libre.

If they are aware of the exceptional drought conditions affecting France today, so much so that 42 departments are now under water restrictions, operators believe that the authorities took drastic measures too. "We forget too quickly that by taking such a decision, an entire economy is weakened.An economy that already is experiencing very serious problems of cash, "says Francis Avrard.

"Cultures have three weeks early and now they need water for forage maize and grain maize, told Agence France-Presse Daniel Seguin, president of the Association County consultation irrigation and water control (ACIME). "Farmers are responsible and draw the resources, we want a true sharing of water," he said. He expects a meeting Monday in the prefecture "to revisit and adapt to the needs closer."

Weather forecasts indicate localized storms but no regular rainfall for the next seven days at the national level.Guest this Sunday on Radio J, the Minister for Ecology Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet said it was too early to establish a drought tax, because we do not yet know the magnitude of the phenomenon.

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Bibendum does not despair of one day impose a puncture-proof tire. After the failure of PAX, which allowed run flat, but had not convinced the manufacturers, Michelin expects to sell within three years for a tire which sets itself in the event of a puncture.

This innovation, introduced yesterday, is equipped with an inner membrane that comes to fill the holes if needed. The system is effective in cases of perforations of less than 6 millimeters in diameter, or 98% of the holes, according to the manufacturer payday loan lenders.

For manufacturers looking to lighten vehicles, this solution would "remove the spare tire." The group believes that a European driver die on average every 70,000 to 100,000 kilometers in China and India, this happens every 5000-6000 miles.

The legend tells that one day, during an international summit, Dominique Strauss-Kahn had dropped to Christine Lagarde, a playful tone that one day he was president he would keep at Bercy. Of course the Minister of Economy has always denied this story and more today, then it appears hour after hour as the favorite candidate to succeed DSK.

Officially, she declined comment. But long before the scandal broke DSK, senior officials in his office did not hide their fear to see her leave Paris for Washington prematurely. They know how much she wants this job and especially that it has all the skills to hold: perfect English, love of U.S. knowledge of the workings of monetary negotiations and all the great leaders of this world … Christine Lagarde CV ideal.Moreover, it is sufficient to formally apply for almost be guaranteed to gather in his name all the votes in Europe, both German Chancellor and Minister of Finance appreciate.

But: it has been mired for months in the case that Tapie place under the threat of a lawsuit by the Court of Justice of the Republic. A sword of Damocles that is bad style court when the former IMF chief languishing in jail. Second question, at this stage: Nicolas Sarkozy is willing to let his Economy Minister in new horizons, to a year in the presidency? Nothing is less certain: the Éysée is currently in radio silence mode

It is in six weeks from 1 July that the law on the reorganization of the electricity market is to take effect. In the coming days, the gazettal of orders on prices will end a long series of months.

In this folder to boost competition in the sector, there is more suspense since the government has established conditions for redemption of nuclear electricity from EDF for its rivals: it will be 40 euros per megawatt hour (MWh ) from 1 July and 42 euros from 1 January 2012. A scheme which largely corresponds to the aspirations of EDF: the company, below 42 euros, had discussed the scenario of "looting".In front, the other operators have defended the basis of 35 euros, which are calculated on the current regulated rates.

But now the Regulatory Commission (CRE), Constable of industry practices, offers a different vision, and especially more reasoned, that of government. These, indeed, have given their price scenarios, but without much explanation to the key.

In its decision of May 5 – Le Figaro has procured – the regulator first recall that to make a reasoned opinion on the draft decree, he had to "establish the identification method and cost accounting (…) to reflect the economic conditions of production of nuclear power history. " But this method of calculation, according to the resolution of the CRE leads to a price ranging from 36 to 39 euros per MWh.This estimate is below the repurchase rate set by the government.

Formally, the regulator therefore not permitted under the price of 42 euros per MWh. Certainly, he said that the government wants to anticipate "the investments needed to promoting safety in nuclear power plants," but "these costs are not known to date, and the CRE is not able to appreciate" .

The controller is not alone in discussing the figure of 42 euros. On Monday, the Supreme Council of Energy, which brings together all actors involved in this case, adopted an amendment deeming it inappropriate.This amendment has no impact on law enforcement, but it is indicative of the perception of the situation.

Audits of nuclear

Rather than this threshold of 42 euros, the CRE recommends "that the potential effects on production costs of measures undertaken audits on all French nuclear power are valued only as they materialize in the accounts of EDF and are then fully integrated into the regulated price of access to nuclear power history. "

Is it provided a negative opinion given to the law? In reality, it is rather a surveillance.The controller takes note of any additional expenditure on nuclear power in the wake of the disaster Fukushima, but even if the pass, he prefers to know the exact amounts to be allocated.

Remains to the European Commission, guardian of the reality of opening to competition, to address the issue. "It will certainly ask for accounts in the true sense of the term in government. Similarly, operators will be heard, said one observer. But do not expect a decision very quickly, given the time required. "The start of the new system will be thoroughly examined.

"It is expected that several clubs are among those most indebted, go bankrupt and disappear from the elite of professional football." The diagnosis of Bastien Drut, an economist and author of the book entitled "Economics of Professional Football" (Editions la Découverte) is final.

Boosted by inflation of television rights, the "football business" has squandered the wages of players who are sometimes more than 100% revenue clubs. "The crisis will deepen the focus on players' salaries," says Vincent Chaudel, communications director Europe, Africa and Middle East at Kurt Salmon, a consulting firm.The talented players should always receive high salaries and certainly on the rise, but the clubs whose financial situation is delicate, will probably choose between lowering the average wage standard of the players, and reduce the number of players on their team " .

Reduce payroll and income diversification

The presidents of the OL, Jean-Michel Aulas, and Om, Jean-Claude Dassier, ensured that a decline in TV rights would force them to reduce their wage bill even to sell some players. "I doubt that we are seeing a real reduction in payroll in the major French clubs, says Vincent Chaudel. As the French and European teams can not do without talent, they never cease to raise wages. "

The other challenge for football clubs will be to diversify their resources.Ligue 1 clubs are too dependent on television rights which average 57% of their income. In addition, Canal + has always said he would not raise its offer. French clubs and fear for their recipes. Vincent Chaudel advance a solution. "The choice of the French model where the clubs pay part of L1 (20%) of revenue from the sale of television rights to the clubs of L2, mechanical weakening their financial competitiveness with countries that have opposed sporting and financial models . Depending on the outcome of the next tender, the French football may be forced to revise its economic model based on solidarity. "

Other contracts naming to wait

Ligue 1 clubs are catching up especially in ticketing or sponsorship deals.While Germany has an average attendance this season every weekend more than 40,000 spectators, France does not even crossed the threshold of 20,000. Hence the importance of building new stadiums or renovate the current.

Following the partnership between the club Le Mans moving to the second division and the mutual insurance company, Mutual du Mans Assurances, naming other contracts (a contract between a sports club and a society that gives its name to the stadium) are also wait. The AXA Group is well positioned to give its name to the future Grand Stadium Lille for an annual amount of 3.3 million. And in an interview figaro.fr, president of Olympique Lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas had stated in talks with Qatari and Russian companies for naming the next speaker of Lyon.He also suggested the names of Danone and Coca-Cola.

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