Unions sign Air France deal

In what was being hailed at the weekend as an early success for new group CEO Benjamin Smith, unions at Air France on Friday reached agreement on a pay deal, although the list of signatories did not include the main pilots’ organisation SNPL.

The airline said the unions that did sign represented 76.4% of the employees who voted in the last union elections and “this agreement is therefore considered valid and will be implemented”.

Air France said the key provisions of the agreement include a general pay increase of 2%, retroactive to 1 January this year and a general pay increase of 2% on 1 January, 2019.

Smith, formerly COO at Air Canada, took over as Air France-KLM group CEO last month (BTN 20 August) and temporary CEO at Air France shortly afterwards. He had a reputation at Air Canada as a successful negotiator with unions.

He said on Friday: "I would like to thank everyone involved at Air France for the quality of our discussions over the past few weeks, and for the trust that has prevailed throughout.

“This way of working between all parties provides Air France and the Air France-KLM Group with a new perspective going forward, and it is my hope that it will ensure the future success of our airlines.”

www.airfranceklm.com

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