Updated

Former Vice President Al Gore wouldn't condone this. Several dozen disgruntled French workers are threatening to pollute the Seine River with toxic substances unless given severance pay.

About 50 employees of the transport company SERTA, outside the northwestern city of Rouen, said Thursday they would pour fuel into the Seine if the firm doesn't pay each worker who's laid off $21,300.

The company has struggled to stay afloat and a court is now deciding whether to liquidate it and lay off all the workers.

One of the workers, Jean-Pierre Villemin, said it would be "dramatic" for the families to be laid-off without compensation.

In recent months, angry workers around the country have kidnapped their bosses and threatened to blow up factories to press their demands.