PARIS: Air France pilots have voted to extend their week-long strike over cost cuts and plans for the company’s Transavia unit by a further four days until September 26, the head of the SNPL union said yesterday.
More than four-fifths of the 74 percent of pilots who took part in the ballot agreed to pursue the industrial action beyond the current deadline tomorrow, said Jean-Louis Barber, head of the Air France section of the SNPL.
“It could continue even further (beyond September 26), given the very strong mandate,” Barber added, calling for a meeting with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to help resolve the conflict with management. Air France said on Friday it expected to operate 45 percent of its flights, based on an estimated 60 percent of the pilots walking out. The situation is expected to worsen today, with just 38 percent of flights going ahead — the lowest level since the strike began on Monday — and 65 percent of pilots walking out.
The pilots are protesting over Air France’s plans to expand the low-cost operations of its Transavia brand by setting up foreign bases as it seeks to fight back against fierce competition from budget carriers. The expansion is part of a new strategic plan unveiled this month aimed at boosting earnings. Reuters
