Summary
- Air France pilots are considering a strike against a proposed law limiting strike days in the transport sector.
- Pilot union SPAF warns of social regression if the law is passed and demands removal of the bill.
- French culture supports strikes in labor relations, with air traffic controllers declaring 249 strike days since 2005.
Air France pilots are considering launching a strike over a new government proposal to limit the number of strike days per year in the transport sector.
Air France pilots mull strike over law changes
As reported by FlightGlobal, pilot union SPAF (Syndicat des Pilotes du groupe Air France) – which represents a sizable proportion of pilots working for Air France – has declared its intention to launch a strike on April 15-16 ahead of changes to French law pertaining to strike action. A government proposal aims to set a maximum of up to 15 consecutive strike days and an overall figure of 60 days per year for workers in the transport sector, as well as blacking out specific periods, presumably during busy holidays.
Photo: KITTIKUN YOKSAP | Shutterstock
According to an SPAF statement,
“The right to strike is often the last resort for employees of transport companies. Prohibiting it on fixed dates – we can guess which ones – is nothing more and nothing less than suppressing it by means of a scandalous prohibition.”
The SPAF added that the law change would “relegate France to a totally regressive social situation that only authoritarian states still practice today.” The proposal is due to be debated in the Senate on April 9. If it is passed, pilots would walk out on Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16 – while this is one week after the end of the busy Easter travel period, it would still have a major impact on Air France’s schedule and affect tens of thousands of passengers.
The pilot union claims the proposal conflates public transport with public service, adding that it “cannot accept such a regression in rights.” Finally, it demands the removal of the proposal, or “at the least” to remove aviation employees from the bill. Air France pilots have been locked in contract negotiations with the airline for some time now, with no sign of a breakthrough.
Check your flights
Travelers booked on Air France flights on April 15 and 16 have been advised to stay updated about the status of their flight and look for alternative travel arrangements on those days if possible.
Simple Flying has reached out to Air France for comment on this story and will update this article accordingly.
ATC November strike
In November, French air traffic control (ATC) workers launched a strike protesting a similar proposal. On that occasion, they were striking against a new law passed in France that required ATC staff to give a minimum of 48 hours warning before striking. This strike represented the 53rd day in 2023 when air traffic staff were striking, close to the 60-day limit suggested by the French government.
Photo: Gorodenkoff | Shutterstock
Strikes are deeply engrained in the culture of French labor relations with its tradition of labor movements and legal frameworks supporting the right to strike. According to Lemonde, French air traffic controllers have declared 249 strike days since 2005, which is more than five times more than the next highest European country, Greece, with 44 strike days, and Italy, with 34 days.
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