Air France unions will meet to discuss the next steps they will take to continue their fight for bigger pay increases as the Air France-KLM group prepares for the arrival of new CEO Benjamin Smith by the end of September.
A group of unions representing Air France pilots and cabin crew are set to meet Aug. 27 to discuss the action they will take to break an impasse on salaries—the catalyst for the major labor conflict and management crisis that has engulfed the Franco-Dutch group in recent months. Unions have previously warned that strikes could restart after the summer vacation period.
Earlier this year unions were calling for 5% salary increases—more than management was prepared to offer—saying salaries in recent years had failed to keep up with inflation and a rise in living costs.
Air France-KLM group—which is also facing tough competition from Gulf carriers and rapidly growing LCCs—was hit by 15 Air France strike days between February and June and the shock departure of former group CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac in May…
