French air transport unions call for strikes

Unions for pilots, cabin attendants and ground workers in France have called for strike action from Feb. 6  through Feb. 9 to protest a bill going before the French senate that would obligate each employee planning to strike to give 48 hrs.’ notice.

The new bill was voted by the national assembly Jan. 25 and aims to secure a minimum service by the air transport sector during strikes.

Air France (AF) said it expects to be affected by the strike but could not predict the impact because employees are not currently obligated to inform the company in advance of their intention to strike.

“Air France will do its best to adjust its flight schedule depending on how many of its employees join the strike. However, some last minute delays and cancellations may arise,” AF said in a statement.

According to the French Ministry of Transport, there were 1,131 disputes in the country’s air transport sector over the past three years (392 in 2009, 379 in 2010 and 360 in 2011) with 176 days of industrial action affecting airlines or airports (68 days in 2009, 45 days in 2010 and 63 days in 2011).