The right-wing Senate approved a centrist bill on Thursday to better organize air traffic in the event of a controller strike on first reading on Thursday, with the government hailing the “effective” measures after several disputes.
Air traffic control unions must file any strike notice five days before a move, but strikers do not have to declare their individual participation, unlike other airline industry employees.
The General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) then announces the maintenance of certain flights to guarantee a minimum service, but sometimes “there are last-minute cancellations” or, on the contrary, too many flights have been canceled preventively, the author of the report stressed. bill, vincent. Capo-Canellas (Centrist Union), pointing out that France ranks very poorly in Europe on this issue.
A minimal service with requisitions
The text provides for the obligation to declare a striker no later than noon on the day before each day of strike, for the establishment, where appropriate, of a minimum service with requisitions.
The Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune, welcomed a “balanced and effective” bill, which allows “improving the service” while guaranteeing “the exercise of the right to strike”.
He recalled the unforeseen strike of air traffic controllers on February 11, in the framework of the mobilization against the pension reform, which had caused great disorder.
The left voted against the bill, which must now be considered by the National Assembly. The environmentalist Jacques Fernique spoke of “a significant weakening of the right to strike”, while the communist Gérard Lahellec considered that “declaring a striker beforehand will not solve the problems”. The socialist Gilbert-Luc Devinaz judged that it is rather “urgent to renew the social dialogue”.
Source: BFM TV
