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29 March 2024

Deal may end Paris air traffic control strike

Published
By Agencies
 
 

Union representatives and state officials reached a deal overnight to end an air traffic controllers' strike that halved flights at Paris's second airport, France's junior minister for transport said on Thursday.

 

Secretary of State for Transport Dominique Bussereau told Canal Plus television the deal was subject to approval by staff at union meetings known as 'general assemblies' but he hoped the strike would soon come to an end.

 

"It is over on the condition that the general assemblies approve it. I think that things will be better today and if all goes well the French people will be able to travel normally by plane tomorrow," Bussereau said.

 

The CGT union was protesting at plans to move Orly controllers to the bigger Roissy airport north of Paris before grouping them all on one site near Paris in 2015. Both airports are owned and operated by Aeroports de Paris.

 

The CGT planned industrial action up to Friday. Their walkout, which began on Monday, has halved the number of flights at Orly, south of Paris, and caused lesser disruptions at Roissy.

 

Bussereau's office said the deal was reached after four hours of talks between the union and France's civil aviation authority, the DGAC.

 

"We have found the modalities so that everyone can work where they want, people who are moved will receive compensation. I don't want to get into details," Bussereau said.

 

Several walkouts have disrupted Paris air traffic recently.

 

In October, Air France cabin crews went on strike for five days over pay and conditions, hitting thousands of travellers during a public holiday and school holidays.

 

In December and January, strikes by Air France ground crew forced some flights to be cancelled. (Reuters)