EasyJet cabin crew in France file strike notice
Unions act after failed talks with management
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A strike by easyJet French crew is becoming increasingly likely during the summer season, after talks between unions and management failed.
Unions representing easyJet cabin crew have filed a strike notice following an unsuccessful meeting with the airline on July 23, reports Le Figaro.
No strike date has been announced, but the action could affect flights at the end of July and August - however a strike notice does not necessarily mean there will be a strike but it allows workers the right to strike during that period.
Why are cabin crew considering strike action?
The unions claim working conditions have worsened in recent months including difficult schedules, frequent changes to rosters, staff shortages and increased fatigue among cabin crew.
The SNPNC-FO union has also raised concerns about planned changes to retirement rules affecting airline workers, which they say could make it harder for former flight crew to combine pension payments with later employment. It argues that the particular demands of aviation jobs, including physical pressures and career limits linked to the nature of flight duties, should be taken into account.
The latest strike notice follows earlier tensions between easyJet and cabin crew representatives in April. Back then, the UNAC union called for a one-day strike covering easyJet cabin crew at all six French bases: Paris Orly, Paris Charles-de-Gaulle, Nice, Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux. The union said the action was linked to concerns about scheduling, working conditions and fatigue among crew members.
EasyJet is reported to be “very disappointed” by the development. The airline said it had proposed adjustments to address cabin crew concerns and urged unions to avoid industrial action during the busy summer period.
It added that further talks are planned for September and that affected passengers will be contacted directly if flights are disrupted.
What passengers should do
At this stage, no flight cancellations have been confirmed. Passengers travelling with easyJet to or from France should check their flight status regularly through the easyJet website or app and monitor emails and text messages from the airline.
