Paris airport staff to strike days before Olympic games opener
Several unions representing airport staff serving Paris called for a strike on Monday, July 17. The action is scheduled for eleven days before the opening of the Olympic Games. Union members are demanding bonuses for all airport staff during this special period.
July is a busy month when it comes to protest actions among airport workers across Europe. Strikes took place in the first week in airports in Italy and Ireland. Plans for strikes are soon expected in the United Kingdom and Scotland. However, all eyes are now on France and Paris, where the Olympic Games begin on July 26.
Union demands
Meanwhile, the CGT, CFDT, FO, and UNSA unions, taking advantage of this situation, are trying to show how much working conditions in the airport industry have deteriorated. They are demanding, among other things, bonuses for all staff and a massive employment plan covering 1,000 positions, reports AFP.
In response to the union demands, Augustin de Romanet, head of the Paris airport authority (Groupe ADP), made a unilateral decision to pay bonuses only to part of the staff. "All unions unanimously condemned these methods of division and management choices," the union members indicated. "It is obvious that the CEO rejected our demands."
Strike planned for July 17
Almost 300 employees gathered on Friday at a general assembly supported the unions’ decision to suspend their participation in all forms of meetings with the management.
"The General Assembly has given us a mandate to start a strike action on July 17," the unions announced on Monday.
During the summer, the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports together serve around 350,000 passengers daily. Groupe ADP does not expect an increase in the number of travellers during the games but has taken steps to ensure the reception of athletes, providing special routes and temporary infrastructure.
