French air traffic controllers will strike today in Paris

Air traffic controllers in Paris will begin striking today.

The strike will primarily be at Paris’ Orly Airport, the second biggest in France, and last until Thursday. Protests come after disagreements between air traffic controllers and France’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) over new responsibilities for air traffic controllers. As well as the passage of a law which forces them to give their bosses at least 48 hours’ notice before they go on strike. Workers are hoping to negotiate an increase in pay and a push for further recruitment to get more people to join their profession.

The unrest is particularly troubling for the government given its preparations for next month’s Olympic Games in Paris. The government has already decided to pay its workers a bonus for working during the Olympic Games to try and avoid any disruptions. Notably, the last time Orly’s air traffic controllers went on strike in May, 70% of flights were cancelled. However, unlike the previous strike, this one will not be joined by the SNCTA, France’s largest air traffic controllers’ union. Whilst it’s unlikely that the strike will cause as many cancellations as the last one, there is potential for a more prolonged conflict between the DGCA and air traffic controllers if the two are unable to reach an agreement.