SNPL, the union representing Air France pilots, have finally called off a strike that last two weeks but without reaching any agreement. The union intends to continue negotiations in a calmer atmosphere but states it does not plan to end its demands regarding new low-cost subsidiary Transavia.
Air France said that it welcomed the end of the “costly and damaging” strike action, which it said “has lasted too long”.
“The Company deeply regrets that despite lengthy negotiations since the beginning of the conflict (including 15 hours yesterday [Sat 27 Sept]), enabling much progress to be made, the balanced and reasonable protocol to end the conflict proposed by Management has not been signed by the unions. Air France regrets that the pilots' unions have not seized these opportunities.”
Air France has confirmed its decision to “continue the accelerated development of Transavia in France”, which involves expanding the fleet beyond 14 aircraft, a single fleet of Boeing 737, Transavia France operating and remuneration conditions, transfer of Air France pilots on a voluntary basis. The airline maintains that the project will create 1,000 jobs in France (including 250 pilot jobs).
Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM, said: “The management team, Frédéric Gagey and I are well aware of the trauma that our customers, our employees and our partners have just experienced with this long strike. Our priority is now to join forces around the Air France-KLM group’s growth and competitiveness project, Perform 2020. I would like to thank all those who, in the belief that growth is within our reach if we provide ourselves with the necessary means, have supported our development projects. I would also like to thank all the staff at Air France who, over the past two weeks, have done a remarkable job in extremely difficult circumstances. To all our customers and our staff, I want to express our confidence and our commitment to restore the links and regain momentum”.
On September 26, Air France is reported to have rejected an offer by SNPL to end the strike if an independent mediator was appointed.