Pilots union calls for rolling strike

FRENCH pilots’ union SNPL France Alpa has called for a “rolling walkout” of several hours a day between May 3 and May 30 in a protest over strike legislation.

And it has warned that, if the strike goes ahead, passengers should expect "significant delays".

The union claims that a clause in Diard Law, which says that individual pilots must declare their intention to join a strike 48 hours before the protest, gives airlines enough time to find replacement pilots to run a normal service.

It was introduced to allow airlines to improve information for passengers. But the union says it means any legitimate protests are pointless.

A recent dispute involving members working for easyJet resulted in no disruption even though it was supported by 85% of SNPL pilots, the union said, because the company was able to find replacement pilots in time.

During the month-long protest, pilots will strike for a few hours each day across different time slots, thus not allowing airlines the chance to find replacement.

SNPL president Yves Deshayes said: “We are willing to provide all flights, but there will be significant delays.”

Air France, meanwhile, said the SNPL strike: “If this conflict is to take place, Air France will be able to notify its customers in advance and will be mobilised to mitigate any inconvenience.”

The company added: “At this stage it is not yet clear how the strike will affect customers.”

It also said the strike was not against Air France directly, but was a national protest by the union.

SNPL also wants assurances on airport taxes, pilot pay and cabin crew security.

Mr Deshayes described the tax burden on Air France from the so-called Chirac law, which funds the purchase of medicines in developing countries, as “racing with a ball and chain”.

“Our companies are dying slowly for the benefit of foreign companies and it is our jobs are going,” he said.