French strikes ends - but is not over
February 10, 2012
The four-day strike by French air transport workers ended yesterday with a warning that more action may follow.
The stoppage was in protest at a government bill that would oblige every worker in the air transport sector to make a personal declaration of participation in a strike 48 hours before it was due to start, thus allowing airlines to plan a minimum service.
Air France said it was planning to operate a normal flight schedule today, but added that the very cold weather conditions in and around Paris could cause some delays.
While some market analysts had estimated that Air France could take a hit of up to €100 million in lost revenue from the strike, the company calculated the cost at between €8-10 million a day.
Air France claimed it had maintained 75% of its flights during the strike, but had been forced to make 300 last-minute cancellations.
But France’s main pilots union, the SNPL, which has majority representation at Air France, claimed the national carrier had cancelled or chartered 42% of long-haul flights and 50% of mid-haul flights during the strike.
Today, the SNPL and other unions will meet France’s Transport minister to discuss the bill.
“We are calling for it to be withdrawn and if our demands are not met, we have a mandate from our members to call for further strike action.
“Another four-day stoppage later this month can’t be ruled out,” an SNPL spokesman said.
Courtesy of IFW
