France: from now on strike pilots of Air France – Polish Radio

The pilots of the French airline Air France began on Saturday a four-day strike, which could thwart thousands of football fans on the second day taking place in France, the European Football Championships – gives the BBC.

 

On Saturday was canceled approx. 30 per cent. flights Air France. The carrier provides, however, that priority will be connections to cities in which the matches are played the tournament.

 

The demands of protesters

 

The pilots of Air France point out that those who sit behind the wheel of the aircraft of the Dutch carrier KLM, spend less time on long-haul flights and are not in the air as often as French. They want better working conditions.

 

The strikers are demanding the 11 percent revaluation earnings. Both lines belong to the same group Air France-KLM. Management believes the position of the French pilots the right, but is helpless because he can not take with them any negotiations until the arrival of the new head of the group. This is to be July 1.

 

The union SPAF, which brings together some French pilots also wants the government withdrew the controversial labor law reform, which will facilitate the hiring but also firing workers. According to the SPAF protest action will last until Tuesday. The head of Air France Frederic Gagey promised that he will try to minimize the effects of the strike in the cities in which the matches take place. He said that the protest will cost carrier 5 million euros a day.

 

The strikes and protests in France

 

President Francois Hollande urged the unions not to interfere with the course of the European Football Championship. – I appeal to your sense of responsibility, because the state must assume its responsibilities – and will do so by taking all necessary measures – he stressed.

 

The strike of pilots is one of many recent protests paralyzing France. Because of the garbage strike on Wednesday in Paris will not be garbage collected. Recently after nine days ended with a workers strike the SNCF. At the end of May at many petrol stations were short of fuel because protesters blocked refineries.

 

It is expected that approx. 7 million people visit the 10 French cities where matches will be played during the Euro championship in 2016.

 

PAP / IAR / agkm