Beijing workers still holding U.S. boss over pay
- 11 years ago
A U.S. businessman being held captive by disgruntled workers at this factory on the outskirts of Beijing says he is hopeful the row will be resolved soon.
Chip Starnes, president of the Florida-based Specialty Medical Supplies, has been held since Friday in a dispute over pay.
The 42-year-old said that he has not been physically harmed, but that workers are trying to intimidate him.
According to Starnes, about 100 employees are demanding severance packages following rumours he was shutting the plant down.
Starnes said he moved part of the production line to India due to rising costs in China, but that no more layoffs were planned.
In a brief meeting with reporters, he said he was confident the dispute would be solved soon.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CO-OWNER OF CORAL SPRINGS, SPECIALITY MEDICAL SUPPLIES, CHIP STARNES, SAYING:
"They probably want more money, who doesn't? Everybody does, regardless of what they do, and I think they want some sort of,
Chip Starnes, president of the Florida-based Specialty Medical Supplies, has been held since Friday in a dispute over pay.
The 42-year-old said that he has not been physically harmed, but that workers are trying to intimidate him.
According to Starnes, about 100 employees are demanding severance packages following rumours he was shutting the plant down.
Starnes said he moved part of the production line to India due to rising costs in China, but that no more layoffs were planned.
In a brief meeting with reporters, he said he was confident the dispute would be solved soon.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CO-OWNER OF CORAL SPRINGS, SPECIALITY MEDICAL SUPPLIES, CHIP STARNES, SAYING:
"They probably want more money, who doesn't? Everybody does, regardless of what they do, and I think they want some sort of,