France: Heineken employees in Alsace end strike action

Employees at Heineken NV's Fischer brewery in Schiltigheim, on the outskirts of Strasbourg, returned to work after two days of strike in protest over plans to close the site between now and the end of 2009, Thomson Financial reported June 11.

On May 30, Heineken said it would close the Alsace-based brewery before the end of next year with the loss of some 126 jobs. It also said it would be investing 124 million euros in upgrading its Mons-en-Baroeul brewery in northern France, and its Esperance, also near Schiltigheim.

Production at the Fischer brewery was halted on Monday and Tuesday as around forty employees blocked road access to the works.

13 June, 2008