Paris airport staff to strike ahead of Olympic Games

Several unions representing airport staff serving Paris called for a strike on Monday, July 17. The action is scheduled for eleven days before the opening of the Olympic Games. The union members demand bonuses for all airport staff during this particular period.

July is a busy month for protest actions among airport workers across Europe. Strikes occurred in the first week at airports in Italy and Ireland and are soon planned in the United Kingdom and Scotland. However, all eyes are now on France and Paris, where the Olympic Games begin on July 26.

Meanwhile, the CGT, CFDT, FO, and UNSA unions are using this situation to highlight how much working conditions in the airport industry have deteriorated. According to AFP, they are demanding, among other things, bonuses for all staff and a massive employment plan covering 1,000 positions.

In response to the union demands, Augustin de Romanet, head of the Paris airport authority (Groupe ADP), unilaterally decided to pay bonuses only to part of the staff. "All the unions unanimously condemned these methods of division and management choices," the union members stated. It is evident that the CEO rejected our demands."

Almost 300 employees gathered on Friday at a general assembly to support the union’s decision to suspend participation in all management meetings.

"The General Assembly has given us a mandate to start a strike on July 17," the unions announced Monday.

During the summer, the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports serve around 350,000 passengers daily. Groupe ADP does not expect an increase in travelers during the games but has taken steps to ensure athletes' reception, providing special routes and temporary infrastructure.