French air traffic controllers flag strike action

Peak holiday season is approaching in France. 

So, just as predictably as night follows day, are strike warnings.

French air traffic controllers are threatening to strike as the summer season starts for millions across Europe, Euronews and Travel Mole report.

The UNSA-ICNA union - the second-largest union for air traffic controllers in France - has filed a strike motion for the July 3 and 4, citing “toxic” and “authoritarian” management as one of the reasons for the walkout.

The union is calling for increased staffing levels and a pay rise, which have been denied by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC).

The third-largest ATC union, USAC-CGT, also issued a strike notice this week for July 3 but the largest union representing French air traffic controllers, SNCTA, has indicated that it isn’t calling for a strike.

The union has also criticised the DGAC for ” failing to modernise the tools that are essential for air traffic controllers, even though it keeps promising that all means are being put in place.”

The union cites repeated major breakdowns despite “weeks of repeated alerts.”

The DGAC has said it “deeply” regrets the choice of dates. The air traffic controllers strike dates correspond to the busiest days of the year, due to the numerous departures for vacations during this period.

In a statement, the DGAC acknowledge “the difficulties related to the situation of chronic understaffing,” which “affect the quality of the service provided to airlines.”

In France, air traffic controllers must submit a strike notice at least five days in advance. This is in accordance with the 1984 law governing the right to strike in the public service.

So it looks like two days of cancellations and delays later this week.

UPDATE: Budget airline Ryanair alone says it has been forced to cancel at least 170 flights due to the action which started on Friday.   

Flyers warned to prepare for Christmas strikes

Hand baggage only might be the best policy for Australians planning to fly this festive season.

Baggage handlers have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action which could potentially disrupt Christmas travel plans, news portal Travel Mole reports. 

About 1,000 Dnata employees in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have voted for industrial action.

This is the second time workers have rejected Dnata’s pay offer, which is tied to job security and a change in rostering arrangements. 

“Wages for workers getting Qantas planes off the ground have been slashed and suppressed,” the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said.

Dnata provides baggage handling for airlines at airports in Australia and worldwide.

Workers are demanding better rostering and pay.

The union is due for further talks with Dnata.

“Dnata ground workers are, like many in aviation, struggling to stay in this industry under the current pay rates and conditions,” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.

“Dnata must come back to the table with a fair offer.”

But the contract company remains defiant. 

“Should an industrial action go ahead, our robust contingency plans will help us minimise any impact,” Dnata said.

Ground handlers at Dnata have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action after twice rejecting a pay deal.

The TWU says 98% of workers supported the protected industrial action ballot.

The union has previously accused the UAE-based airport services provider, whose customers include Qantas, Emirates, Etihad and Singapore Airlines, of “refusing decent improvements on rostering, job security and pay”.

Here we go again. Europe readies for strikes

Thousands of peak summer flights across Europe could be grounded with air traffic controllers threatening strike action, Travel Mole reports.

Staff employed by Eurocontrol have said they will strike over both pay and work conditions, including low staffing levels.

The Eurocontrol organisation manages air traffic within European airspace.

Air traffic strike action could be announced as early as Monday, The Times reported.

“In a full-blown strike, 20 to 30% of flights would be at least delayed,” a source quoted by the newspaper said.

That could see as many as 12,000 flights a day impacted.

About 33,000 flights a day are scheduled in Europe during the summer peak period.

Management at Eurocontrol reportedly said air traffic strike action by members of one of its trade unions, Union Syndicale Bruxelles, is "inevitable".
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Raul Medina, the director general of Eurocontrol, has said: “Recent industrial action caused many delays across the network.

“We can manage situations like that, but if it happens in the middle of summer, it will be much more challenging.”

Image: Jan Niepel, Scop.io

Heathrow strike threat could disrupt World Cup plans

So far this year dysfunctional Heathrow Airport has endured a summer of cancelled flights, long lines and delays, a plague of lost luggage issues and the imposition of a daily passenger limit. 

Now a threat to strike by several hundred Heathrow workers could disrupt travel for fans the run-up to the World Cup finals in Qatar laster this month.

The Unite union said 700 workers employed by Dnata and Menzies at Heathrow are involved in pay disputes and considering strikes for three days starting from November 18, Travel Mole reported. 

“It will lead to disruption, cancellations and delays at Heathrow," Unite said.

“The strike action will particularly affect Qatar Airways, which has scheduled an additional 10 flights a week during the World Cup.”

Other airlines that could be impacted including Virgin Atlantic, Cathay-Pacific and Emirates.

Unite said Dnata had offered a 5% increase, and Menzies between 2% and 6%, which the union calls 'real pay cuts'.

“Strike action will inevitably cause disruption to flights at Heathrow, with travellers to the World Cup particularly affected,” Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said.

The workers threatening strike action are involved in ground handling, airside transport and cargo. 

Football fans could face the prospect of missing England’s first game, a group match against Iran on November 21 as well as other matches.