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“SIGNIFICANT DELAYS” PREDICTED DURING MAY AS UNION CALLS FOR A MONTH OF WALKOUTS IN PROTEST OVER FRENCH STRIKE LAW FRENCH pilots’ union SNPL France Alpa has called for a “rolling walkout” of

several hours a day between May 3 and May 30 in a protest over strike legislation. And it has warned that, if the strike goes ahead, passengers should expect "significant delays".

The union claims that a clause in Diard Law, which says that individual pilots must declare their intention to join a strike 48 hours before the protest, gives airlines enough time to find

replacement pilots to run a normal service. It was introduced to allow airlines to improve information for passengers. But the union says it means any legitimate protests are pointless. A

recent dispute involving members working for easyJet resulted in no disruption even though it was supported by 85% of SNPL pilots, the union said, because the company was able to find

replacement pilots in time. During the month-long protest, pilots will strike for a few hours each day across different time slots, thus not allowing airlines the chance to find replacement.

SNPL president Yves Deshayes said: “We are willing to provide all flights, but there will be significant delays.” Air France, meanwhile, said the SNPL strike: “If this conflict is to take

place, Air France will be able to notify its customers in advance and will be mobilised to mitigate any inconvenience.” The company added: “At this stage it is not yet clear how the strike

will affect customers.” It also said the strike was not against Air France directly, but was a national protest by the union. SNPL also wants assurances on airport taxes, pilot pay and cabin

crew security. Mr Deshayes described the tax burden on Air France from the so-called Chirac law, which funds the purchase of medicines in developing countries, as “racing with a ball and

chain”. “Our companies are dying slowly for the benefit of foreign companies and it is our jobs are going,” he said.