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Mediation Denied, Pilots Extend Strike Air France Pilots Extend Strike After Request for Mediation Is Denied
(35 minutes later)
PARIS — A costly strike by Air France pilots appeared ready to continue through the weekend after the French government said on Saturday that it would not mediate the dispute, which has grounded more than half the airline’s flights for almost two weeks. PARIS — A costly strike by Air France pilots appeared ready to continue through the weekend after the French government said that it would not mediate the dispute, which has grounded more than half the airline’s flights for almost two weeks.
“We are at an impasse,” Vincent Fournier, a spokesman for the French National Union of Airline Pilots, which represents nearly three-quarters of Air France pilots, said. Mr. Fournier said pilots were “stunned” by the government’s refusal to intervene. With no talks planned during the weekend, he said, union members voted to extend their walkout until at least Tuesday. “We are at an impasse,” Vincent Fournier, a spokesman for the French National Union of Airline Pilots, which represents nearly three-quarters of Air France pilots, said on Saturday. Mr. Fournier said pilots were “stunned” by the government’s refusal to intervene. With no talks planned during the weekend, he said, union members voted to extend their walkout until at least Tuesday.
Late on Friday, the pilots called for an independent mediator to help break the deadlock after Air France-KLM, the airline’s French-Dutch parent company, said it would scale back the expansion of its low-cost subsidiary, Transavia, in France and the Netherlands. But the company held firm that Transavia pilots would work under a separate contract, rejecting a demand by the union for uniform working conditions and pay scales.Late on Friday, the pilots called for an independent mediator to help break the deadlock after Air France-KLM, the airline’s French-Dutch parent company, said it would scale back the expansion of its low-cost subsidiary, Transavia, in France and the Netherlands. But the company held firm that Transavia pilots would work under a separate contract, rejecting a demand by the union for uniform working conditions and pay scales.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said there were no grounds for new negotiations with a mediator and again called for an immediate end to the strike.Prime Minister Manuel Valls said there were no grounds for new negotiations with a mediator and again called for an immediate end to the strike.
“The negotiations are finished,” Mr. Valls said in a statement. “A solution to end the conflict is on the table. It is up to the pilots to seize it.” “The negotiations are finished,” Mr. Valls said in a statement on Friday night. “A solution to end the conflict is on the table. It is up to the pilots to seize it.”
Under its latest proposal, Air France-KLM said it was prepared to hire up to 1,000 new employees for Transavia, including 250 pilots, in the next two to three years and could begin expanding Transavia in France as early as next summer. The plan would add about three dozen new Boeing 737 single-aisle jets to Transavia’s French fleet.Under its latest proposal, Air France-KLM said it was prepared to hire up to 1,000 new employees for Transavia, including 250 pilots, in the next two to three years and could begin expanding Transavia in France as early as next summer. The plan would add about three dozen new Boeing 737 single-aisle jets to Transavia’s French fleet.
Management said no Air France pilots would be forced to fly for Transavia, where pilots work longer hours for less pay. But it said those who did so would accumulate flight hours — and seniority — more quickly than at Air France, increasing their chances of promotion.Management said no Air France pilots would be forced to fly for Transavia, where pilots work longer hours for less pay. But it said those who did so would accumulate flight hours — and seniority — more quickly than at Air France, increasing their chances of promotion.
Until now, Air France pilots have characterized management’s insistence on a two-tiered contract as a stealth campaign to cut wages and increase work hours for all its pilots. Management has said Transavia could successfully compete with fast-growing European low-cost rivals without significantly lowering employee compensation.Until now, Air France pilots have characterized management’s insistence on a two-tiered contract as a stealth campaign to cut wages and increase work hours for all its pilots. Management has said Transavia could successfully compete with fast-growing European low-cost rivals without significantly lowering employee compensation.
Air France said it expected to cancel about 55 percent of its flights on Sunday, as slightly more than half of its 3,800 pilots still refused to work.Air France said it expected to cancel about 55 percent of its flights on Sunday, as slightly more than half of its 3,800 pilots still refused to work.
The walkout by the union began on Sept. 15 after the company announced its plan to make Transavia a leading European budget airline, carrying up to 20 million passengers a year.The walkout by the union began on Sept. 15 after the company announced its plan to make Transavia a leading European budget airline, carrying up to 20 million passengers a year.
The disruption is costing the airline 20 million euros ($25.5 million) a day in losses and has affected the plans of more than half a million travelers.The disruption is costing the airline 20 million euros ($25.5 million) a day in losses and has affected the plans of more than half a million travelers.