Air France Pilots Consider Strike Over New Strike Limitation Proposal
Air France pilots, represented by the Syndicat des Pilotes du groupe Air France (SPAF), are gearing up for a potential strike on April 15-16 in response to a controversial government proposal. This new legislation aims to cap the number of strike days per year in the transport sector at 60, with a maximum of 15 consecutive strike days, and proposes blacking out strike actions during peak travel times, likely to include major holidays.
SPAF has voiced strong opposition to the proposal, arguing that it severely undermines the right to strike, likening the suggested restrictions to practices found in authoritarian states. The union emphasized the significance of strike action as a critical last resort for transport employees and criticized the government's attempt to equate public transport with public service. SPAF's stance is clear: the proposal is a regressive step for France's social landscape, demanding either the withdrawal of the bill or the exclusion of aviation workers from its scope.
The proposed law is set to be debated in the Senate on April 9. Should it pass, the strike by Air France pilots would notably disrupt the airline's operations shortly after the Easter travel rush, potentially impacting thousands of passengers. This situation adds another layer of tension to the ongoing contract negotiations between Air France pilots and the airline, which have yet to reach a resolution.
This move by SPAF reflects a broader context of labor unrest within the French transport sector, evidenced by a recent strike by air traffic control (ATC) workers in November against similar legislative changes. The ATC strike was part of a wider pattern of frequent labor actions in France, a country with a rich history of labor movements and a strong legal framework supporting the right to strike. Indeed, French air traffic controllers have led Europe in the number of strike days since 2005, far surpassing other countries in the region.
Passengers planning to fly with Air France on the days of the proposed strike are advised to monitor the status of their flights and consider alternative travel arrangements. As the debate over the government's proposal unfolds, the potential for significant disruption looms, highlighting the ongoing struggle between labor rights and governmental attempts to regulate strike actions within the transport sector.