EasyJet averts cabin crew strike in France as it clinches deal with unions

EasyJet Tuesday averted a French cabin crew strike over the Christmas holidays after it agreed to raise base pay by 7.5% while paying an additional 3,000 euro ($3,152) bonus to staffers. The concession highlights the continued pressure on easyJet and airlines to agree better terms and wages to retain staff and avert more labour strife after months of disruption since the end of COVID-19 lockdowns. "For us this is a good deal to sign so we won't call for a strike this time around," a representative for the SNPNC union told Reuters via text message. Tuesday's deal is one of the more generous for airlines in the region in recent months. It's not clear if it could set a precedent for rival carriers keen to keep staff as energy and food bills soar and inflation hits decade highs. In November, German German carrier Lufthansa agreed to a two-stage raise for next year, with 250 euros more basic pay from Jan. 1, and 2.5% more basic pay from July 1.<br/>