An emblem of American cultural imperialism, McDonald's in Clichy serves up to 2, 000 clients a day, employs over 50 staff, often recruited from among the local jobless, and promotes social mobility in a way that most French institutions struggle to match.

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But the University and College Union, which represents lecturers and other staff, said raising tuition fees and scrapping the Education Maintenance Allowance would counteract any attempt to improve social mobility.

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The plan, which was presented to trade unions on Thursday, included the appointment of a "mobility mediator" in charge of dealing with complaints from workers, as well as a freeze in further staff cuts.

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