Strike at Paris Airports
Unions representing workers at Paris’ airports have announced a strike ahead of the Paris Olympics. The strike, scheduled to start on July 17, is due to a dispute over bonuses for staff.
Union Demands
The CGT, CFDT, FO, and UNSA unions are demanding that all airport staff receive an Olympics bonus. They are criticizing the chief executive for making unilateral decisions to only pay bonuses to certain personnel.
Previous Strike
Earlier in May, unions at Groupe ADP, which operates Paris’ main airports, called for a strike. Despite this, there was no significant disruption. However, the upcoming strike may impact operations during the busy Olympic period.
Olympic Preparations
With up to 350,000 people expected to pass through the airports daily during the Olympics, the strike could cause major disruptions. Athletes and their equipment will also be arriving in large numbers starting from July 18, adding to the potential chaos. A temporary over-sized baggage terminal has been set up at Charles de Gaulle to accommodate the influx of Olympic participants.
French Public Sector Unions Demand Extra Pay for Working During Olympics
Unions representing public sector workers in France are requesting additional compensation or support for having to work during the July 26-August 11 Olympic Games, which coincide with the traditional summer holiday period in France.
In addition to bonuses for all employees, the unions are pushing for a significant recruitment drive to hire 1,000 additional staff members. They also want a guarantee that workers will be able to take time off during the Olympics, which will be followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
Various groups, including police, air traffic controllers, sanitation workers, government employees, metro and train operators, and firefighters, have all put forth demands for increased pay leading up to the Games. Employers are facing pressure to meet these demands in order to prevent any potential disruptions.
