Paris airport workers file strike motion for Olympics opening ceremony
Union does not agree with recent agreement with airport management and wants a bonus increase
A no-fly zone will be implemented over Paris and the surrounding area during the Olympics opening ceremony, limiting the impact of the strikes
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A union representing workers at Paris’ two major airports has filed a strike motion for July 26, the date of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Force Ouvrière (FO) union – which represents 11.5% of workers at airports operated by the Aéroports de Paris (ADP) group, namely Orly and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle – filed the motion, which will last from 05:00 on July 26 to 07:00 on July 27.
The announcement comes despite last week’s agreement between major union representatives and the ADP, which resulted in bonuses for all airport staff, and the lifting of a strike planned for July 17.
Read more: Paris airport staff call off strike after last-minute agreement
FO, however, says the agreement only applies ‘partial and modest progress’ and does not satisfy the demands of its workers.
It wants the €300 flat bonus offered to all workers as part of the agreement to be increased to €1,000, and for other selective bonuses to increase both in terms of payout and number of staff eligible.
Disruption to flight schedules unlikely
The announcement, however, is unlikely to lead to widespread disruption, as other unions representing workers in the sector are not backing the strike.
The ADP formerly said that even major strike action of airport staff would not disrupt flights entering the city, although it may have increased transit times through the airports.
Therefore, it is likely the strike will have little impact.
In addition, a temporary ‘no fly zone’ will cover a 150-km radius around Paris between 18:30 and midnight on Friday, to prevent any disruption to the opening ceremony held that day.
Read more: What is now known about Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on Friday
As a result during this time, no flights will land at Orly, Charles de Gaulle, or Beauvais airports, meaning even fewer passengers would be affected by the action.
A strike that may be more disruptive is the one scheduled to be held by interpretive dancers set to perform during the opening ceremony.
It is being backed by the CGT, widely seen as France’s most radical and militant union.
Read more: Paris Olympic dancers file strike motion for opening ceremony
