Air France unions plan to resume strike June 23 to 26

Air France labor unions called for a strike from June 23 to 26, reigniting a costly labour conflict at the height of the busy summer travel season. Workers will strike unless an agreement is found to end the dispute in coming days, the unions said Friday in an emailed statement after meeting with management of parent Air France-KLM. The decision by labour representatives to stage more walkouts lifts a pause in their action that had been in effect since last month when former CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac resigned over the conflict. Fifteen days of strikes that got underway Feb. 22 have cost the airline more than E400m so far and helped lower passenger numbers at the Air France arm by 1.7% during May. The 10 unions representing pilots, cabin crew and ground personnel are demanding a pay raise of at least 5% this year, as they seek a share of Air France-KLM’s 2017 profit increase. Management has so far refused, citing the need to continue investing, including by buying new planes. The former CEO proposed a 7% increase over four years tied to performance.<br/>