Monday, September 22, 2014

Air France: D + 8, the conflict radicalized – Le Nouvel Observateur

Air France: D + 8, the conflict radicalized – Le Nouvel Observateur

Paris (AFP) – The crisis expected Monday has not taken place: the Air France pilots on strike for eight days, refused an “ultimate” management proposal and even hardened their position on the future of the low cost of the group, with the support of other unions.

More than half of Air France planes are grounded since September 15. This is the longest strike by pilots since 1998

In the morning, the CEO of the AF-KLM Alexander Juniac thought the deadlock with a “final offer”. Put dormant until the end of the project to create new bases in Europe Transavia. Parallel and accelerate its development in France.

He hoped to allay the fears of “offshoring” of jobs made by French pilots.

But the offer was rejected by the AF SNPL Alpa. The majority union there has seen “a smokescreen” “not more guarantees” offering, including against the risk of “social dumping” within the group. It now requires the outright “withdrawal” of the “draft Transavia Europe.”

“Alexander Juniac has definitely lost the confidence of pilots and probably that of other categories of employees of the company,” said its chairman Jean-Louis Barber.

Soon after, five unions representing the various categories of personnel (CGT-FO SNPNC, UNAC, UNSA and SUD-Air) have partnered to pilot unions in strike (SNPL, SPAF and Alter) to demand the “unconditional withdrawal” of the project. A rare gesture from Air France where drivers often aloof.

SNPL has again called for intervention by the prime minister, but at the same time, Manuel Valls urged to “stop (r) as soon as possible “strike. The Secretary of State for Transport, Alain Vidal, said that there was “no longer any compelling reason” to continue the movement. The state is a shareholder of the company to the tune of almost 16%.

Visibly disappointed by the rejection of its offer, the boss of the group also felt that the conflict was “now over rationale. “

” Ask the SNPL why he keeps a strike whose motives are not clear or justified, “Has he said to reporters, noting that 1,000 jobs are to Key in France, including 250 for the drivers, so the fleet of Transavia France increased from 14 to 37 airplanes

-. 20,000,000 lost every day –

Speaking on France 2 Mr. Juniac admitted that the company would be forced to abandon the project Transavia Europe if it does not find an agreement with the unions.

“If we do not reach a satisfactory agreement and dialogue we will have to stop I’ll do the heavy heart, “he has said, however nuancing”. would be too early “to talk about withdrawal

M.. Juniac also warned that “no airline is immortal, including Air France,” while its operating losses reach “up to 20 million euros per day” because of the strike.

last weekend, the first union of pilots to continue the strike until Friday, SPAF and Alter (unrepresentative) until Wednesday.

Despite the assurances of management, the three unions fear that the rise of Transavia in Europe, with drivers under local contracts, should not be “at the expense” of the French group employees.

To accept the development of Transavia France they say they want, unions are demanding a single contract for pilots flying large aircraft, regardless of the brand of the group (Air France, Transavia or Hop!).

But M. de Juniac said qu’aligner employment conditions Transavia on those of Air France lead the low cost born in France in 2007 “to fail” by canceling its margin of profitability, it amounts to 3%.

What set fire to the powder Monday was the warning of Mr. Juniac pilots. He warned he would not hesitate to “terminate” the agreement with the SNPL the creation of Transavia France to limit the fleet of low cost and regulate the posting of volunteer pilots of Air France (with the granting awards.)

“Alexander Juniac trying to get by the brutality finally the concessions he can not get through consultation,” said Mr Barber.

In the sky, the situation remained complicated Monday for passengers, with 42% of Flights on average and up to 90% of flights canceled in Marseille. For Tuesday, the company expects a slight improvement, with 48% of flights operated and a strike rate of 57% (against 65% Monday.)

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