PARIS >> Air France is firing four employees and suspending 11 others after a union protest over job cuts, which turned violent and left two executives fleeing over a fence with their shirts ripped off.

An internal Air France document obtained by The Associated Press says the decision comes after weeks of investigation and discussion with the employees. It says the four are being fired for “physical aggression” and 11 suspended for two weeks without pay for damaging company property.

The Oct. 5 violence shocked many even in protest-prone France, and embarrassed the Socialist government, Air France’s biggest shareholder.

While some union members condemned the unrest, others called the firings abusive.

The airline hasn’t made a profit in years and is cutting costs to stay competitive with Mideast airlines and low-cost carriers.