Air France pilots are threatening to go on strike, as reported by FlightGlobal. However, it’s not necessarily for the reason that you might think…
In this post:
Air France pilots may strike over new government rules
The SPAF trade union (Syndicat des Pilotes du groupe Air France), which represents pilots at Air France, is threatening that pilots at the French SkyTeam airline will be going on strike on April 15-16, 2024. This strike isn’t due to any current labor issues between the union and company, but rather due to a new government bill that’s currently under consideration.
On April 9, 2024, the French parliament is considering imposing new restrictions on certain labor groups, whereby strikes would be prohibited over fixed periods, up to 60 days per year. Strikes are often timed to maximize the impact they have on customers, so the government’s goal is to presumably limit strikes over the busiest periods, especially in the transportation sector. I imagine that the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris may also factor into this.
These new restrictions could apply to the public transport sector. The union representing Air France pilots says it can’t accept these restrictions, which is why a strike is being threatened. The union argues that the new proposal confuses public transport and public service, and would relegate the country to an authoritarian state.
Air France deserves credit for its labor relations
I don’t closely follow labor relations at all airlines, aside from when there are strikes, or when something major is in the news. However, can we take a moment to recognize how good labor relations appear to be at Air France at the moment, at least based on the lack of any strikes involving a situation between the company and work groups?
Back in the day, one Air France work group or another was on strike whenever it was a day ending in “y,” while I don’t remember the last time we see a strike at Air France. That’s quite a contrast to what we’ve seen at Lufthansa Group lately.
I’ve long been impressed by Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith’s approach to labor relations. He did an amazing job negotiating a new contract with pilots at Air Canada back in the day, and it seems that he has taken a similar approach with labor groups at Air France (obviously in partnership with Air France CEO Anne Rigail, who has been doing an awesome job as well).
All too many airline executives take an “us vs. them” approach to labor, and view frontline staff as the enemy. Smith, meanwhile, at least from an outside perspective, has taken a much more collaborative of an approach.
I mean, when he was appointed to his current role, one of his first orders of business was cutting Air France low cost carrier Joon, and moving those employees to a more lucrative contract. Contrast that to Lufthansa Group, where Spohr’s only skill seems to be setting up new subsidiaries to cut labor costs as much as possible. He’s certainly not good at rolling out any new premium product, that’s for sure…
Bottom line
Air France pilots may be going on strike later this month for the first time in a while, and it’s not even due to any issues with the company. Rather, France’s government is proposing limits on strikes in the transportation sector, and that’s something that Air France pilots aren’t willing to accept. So they’re threatening to go on strike over strikes, as one does!
What do you make of this potential strike among Air France pilots?
France banning strikes would be such an improvement.
They shouldnt be allowed to hold companies to ransom just because they can impact a lot of ppl by striking in busy times.
Striking. The French national pastime!
Good for them! The right to protect workers against the tyranny of companies / govt is refreshing! Never settle for less! But unfortunately Macron with his extreme capitalist approach has been slowly but surely changing benefits and regulations in France and if you are an American right wing, before you jump all over my comment, keep in mind that even France’s right wing parties support these unions and labor protection laws.
Here in the...
Good for them! The right to protect workers against the tyranny of companies / govt is refreshing! Never settle for less! But unfortunately Macron with his extreme capitalist approach has been slowly but surely changing benefits and regulations in France and if you are an American right wing, before you jump all over my comment, keep in mind that even France’s right wing parties support these unions and labor protection laws.
Here in the US, the right wing has been brainwashed to accept corporate tyranny (even against their own interest), in the name of free market.
Because France
It has now been 0 days since Ben has thrown shade at LH's Allegris rollout.
And rightly so. LH is the laughingstock of the industry.
Too many strikes overall in France..and Spain etec... They complain about everything-esp in France.. and like working less...
On our last day in Paris, we intended to visit the Louvre but it was closed. The museum workers took it upon themselves to protest the upcoming elections as the conservatives were ahead. Checked the box for "victim of European worker strike". That was almost 30 years ago.
Generally, French companies handle strikes much better than German companies. Yes, some flights might get cancelled, but AF will refrain from cancelling everything across the board. Also passengers affected will generally be accomodated on the KL or DL (or even UX, AZ).
The jokes write themselves!
“Air France Pilots Threaten To Strike Over Strike Ban”
I’m not sure if this is irony, meta, or something else. Whatever it is, I like it!
Sad for any honeymooners, people who have saved up for years to take a trip to Paris, and for people trying to see a dying loved one for the last time. Appears the unions and airlines have been winning while the burden ends up falling on the consumer.
"Appears the unions and airlines have been winning while the burden ends up falling on the consumer."
Isn't that the point of a strike and/or the threat of one?
Hint: It is, irrespective of where one falls on the management vs. labor debate.
At some point the probability of strikes should be factored into the valuation Flying Blue points.
How would you do that, exactly?
LOL it’s going to be interesting to here from from the usual mentally defective Seppo losers about this. They no know who they are.
LOL the most “triggered” people in the world will chime in and they all be mediocre white seppo men.
What is Seppo and why does anyone care about it?
@Lucky you may want to look up the word used above, but this comment is surely racist and against your standards.
Anyone who writes two "LOL"s while talking about others being mentally defective losers and mediocre, oh and throwing race and gender into it, is obviously a mentally defective loser.
The kind of labor-management relations every company should aspire to. Along with the zealous guarding of organized labor's ability to stand up for itself. I really do admire the French in that sense, that class consciousness is why they generally have better working conditions than us Americans across the pond.
Generally? Americans have the lamest working conditions as republicans believe it’s sort of communist conspiracy to take care of people.
The USA is the only developed nation to have no sick pay. There’s no statutory maternity leave let alone paternity, no redundancy laws, very little annual leave, let alone universal health care.
Working conditions in the US are among the worst in the developed world. That's why I left 12 years ago. Even Russia has much better labor protections. Working in Russia, I get 42 paid vacation days per year (mandated by law), only have to pay 15% in income tax, get paid from the state budget if I am sick (60% of my pay rate), have access to free healthcare, am protected from getting fired if...
Working conditions in the US are among the worst in the developed world. That's why I left 12 years ago. Even Russia has much better labor protections. Working in Russia, I get 42 paid vacation days per year (mandated by law), only have to pay 15% in income tax, get paid from the state budget if I am sick (60% of my pay rate), have access to free healthcare, am protected from getting fired if I have an extended leave due to sickness, plus other benfits. Moreover, my girlfriend got 3 years for maternity leave (with full pay for 12 months, prorated after) and was able to return to her job without problems, not to mention she got nearly half a million rubles for "maternity capital" from the state budget to go toward the mortgage.
That's the most French headline ever.