7 Chalet staff were sacked by email by a company called “Ski The 3 Valleys” in very dubious circumstances and were told they would not be paid for the work they had done.? In addition they would be left to their own devices to return to the UK.
What followed was an incredible level of solidarity, not only from other “seasonnaires” but from previous clients and indeed all over the world.? Their Facebook page reached over 4700 “Likes” in about 48 hours.
Their action was reported by the Dauphine Libere, The Daily Mail, TV8 Mont Blanc (local TV station), The Telegraph and many internet forums and of course Twitter.
Les Menuires 7 created video blog posts and had interviews with the press and it was a very good example of the power of “social media”. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Les-Menuires-7/135799119875601
They had support from the local Gendarmerie and finally a meeting was set up with one of the tour operator’s representatives.? This was attended by the French “Inspection du Travail” and the staff were successful in being properly paid for the hours they had worked.
The tour operator was apparently made to register his business with the French tax authorities (“Impots”) and comply with other French business requirements.? This may be a salutary lesson and may be a warning to other tour operators who use, arguably, dubious employment practices.
