For those who’re planning a year-end journey to France, bear in mind: Unionized cabin crew members at Air France could also be hanging from Dec. 22, 2022, to Jan. 2, 2023.
French unions Union des Navigants de L’Aviation Civile and Syndicat des Navigants du Groupe Air France have warned {that a} strike motion may happen over the Christmas and New 12 months interval, amid a dispute over working situations.
The unions filed a strike discover after a collective settlement between employees and administration — first put in place in 1999, and being renegotiated this fall — was not prolonged when it expired in October 2022.
With out the collective settlement, the airline has the ultimate say over the cabin crew and flight employees’s work schedules.
The most important sticking level for unions is the ratio of cabin crew to passengers on long-haul flights, based on a report by Le Monde. One flight attendant to each 48 passengers was the norm, however Air France initially wished to see the passenger quantity rise to 51, reportedly for profitability.
The airline has since dropped its ask all the way down to 50 passengers per cabin crew member.
Associated: Are you entitled to compensation in case your flight is affected by strikes?
Easy Flying additionally notes that salaries are at challenge within the dispute, particularly if the brand new ratio comes into power. Nonetheless, some 38,000 cabin crew, pilots and floor employees for Air France obtained a 1,000-euros bonus ($1,034.19) and a 5% pay enhance in September.
Air France has mentioned it had “taken be aware of the strike discover” — although it added that negotiations on reinstating the collective settlement are on account of proceed past January 2023.
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Word that in case your flight is affected by a strike motion you’ll be entitled to a full refund and perhaps even compensation.
Strikes affecting flights to and from France aren’t information to common vacationers. Round 50% of French flights had been canceled on Sept. 16 this 12 months (a reported 1,000-plus flights), as air site visitors controllers took motion over pay and dealing situations.
Associated: Doorways, wi-fi charging and 4K video: A primary take a look at Air France’s new Boeing 777 enterprise class
Walkouts have been commonplace throughout Europe in latest months, with varied air journey strikes hitting Spain, Portugal, Italy and others, on high of numerous U.Okay. practice strikes affecting journey.
Nonetheless, some walkouts have been averted, too.
A strike deliberate by British Airways floor employees at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) was narrowly averted in July, and Scandinavian airline SAS and German service Lufthansa struck offers with pilots in September amid union discussions.
