French easyJet crew cancel strike threat following new agreement
Cabin crew promised more rigid schedules as autumn strikes avoided
French cabin crew at low-cost carrier easyJet will not strike this September, following a new agreement between unions and management.
Union members agreed on the new conditions in a vote yesterday (September 1), putting an end to strike action.
An initial strike motion lasting until September 2 remained in place last weekend, but no walkouts took place as unions and management looked to enter new negotiations.
The earlier strike period saw strikes take place over the August 15 - 16 weekend, where 98 flights departing France and nearly as many flying into the country were delayed or cancelled.
As a reminder, a strike motion does not necessarily mean action will take place at all times across the given period, just that staff have the ability to walk out on those days.
It now seems that the airline will avoid any industrial action in France for the foreseeable future, including the risk of potential strike action covering part of the autumn period had talks proved unsuccessful.
Fixed schedules, compensation for changes
The new agreement seeks to address long-lasting points of frustration highlighted by unions, mainly the erratic scheduling and loss of work-life balance felt by cabin crew.
Under the new rules, easyJet will have to provide cabin crew with at least five ‘fixed’ days per month, where schedules cannot be altered under any circumstances.
This should provide cabin crew with greater flexibility in making plans outside of work, primarily around these days (notwithstanding delays or issues outside of easyJet’s control).
Additionally, cabin crew will receive compensation for schedule changes that exceed two hours, with media outlets reporting this will be retroactively applied to incidents from April 1, 2026 onwards.
“For several years, we have been warning that our colleagues are being sent all over the place, including to other bases across Europe, for last-minute replacements,” said UNPNC-CFDT union representative Inouk Rondinella to media outlet Challenges.
“What was initially meant to be an occasional schedule change has turned into daily instability,” he added.
Sector sees September strike action
Despite the agreement at easyJet, the aviation industry in France will see strike action across the month.
Unions representing cabin crew at low-cost long-haul airline French bee recently extended a strike motion until September 6, and this may continue throughout September.
Unions backing the strike highlight similar issues, as well as low salaries.
In addition, a pilot strike at Spanish low-cost airline Volotea could see flights to and from France on September 4 - 6 disrupted or cancelled.
More information is available in our strike round-up here.
