Unions representing easyJet cabin crew in France have issued a strike notice that will allow its members to take industrial action in the coming weeks.
The SNPNC-FO, UNAC-CFE-CGC and UNPNC-CFDT unions said the strike notice covers the period from 7 August to 2 September and gives them the ability to announce strike dates just 48 hours in advance.
They explained they were taking the action due to “deteriorating” work conditions for their members at easyJet, such as “highly unstable schedules, accumulated fatigue, and a lack of protections for cabin crew”.
The unions added that these issues were being “swept under the rug”, as easyJet focuses on the ongoing takeover battle between two US investment companies – Apollo and Castlelake – who are facing a deadline to make formal bids for the airline by the end of this week.
The announcement of potential strikes in France come as the unions prepare to enter annual mandatory negotiations with easyJet in September. The unions said they were open to negotiating with easyJet and lifting the strike notice, depending on the response from the airline’s management.
An easyJet spokesperson told Reuters that it was “disappointed” by the strike notice, particularly as it had made an “offer of adjustments” to address the unions’ concerns.
“Given we have planned negotiations in September, we call on the unions to call off this counterproductive action at this important time of the year for our customers,” added the spokesperson.