Air France unions announce new 2-day strike

Air France unions representing both flight crews and ground staff announced Sunday a new 2-day strike for April 10 and 11, the latest move in its pay dispute with the carrier since February. The new dates are in addition to plans to strike Tuesday and Saturday, in the same week that workers of the French rail operator SNCF also begin a series of strike days. Sunday, the 3 pilot unions slammed the "obstinate refusal" of the airline's management "to take into consideration the least of their demands." The pilots have been joined by unions representing flight attendants and ground personnel, which later said Air France "does not take seriously the determination of the employees and the unions." Management insists it cannot offer higher salaries without jeopardising growth in an intensely competitive sector. <br/>