Workers across Europe are walking out to protest low pay and poor working conditions. Europe is a hive of strike action right now, with many employees unhappy that sky-high inflation has not been matched by higher wages. Walkouts are planned all over Europe, showing that it always pays to check before you travel. Luckily, we have gathered all of the strike information together below.
Read on to find out where and when are walkouts taking place. If your flight or train is cancelled or delayed, you will be entitled to a new ticket or compensation. Read our guide for the full details.
Europe: Air traffic controllers to vote over a potential deal
Union Syndicale Bruxelles (USB), a union which represents EU civil servants, has reached a deal in principle with Eurocontrol to prevent weeks of strikes this summer.
The offer has been put to a vote by union members and USB is hoping for a “positive outcome to the vote” after which the ‘pre-warning’ for industrial action will be withdrawn.
Staff at Eurocontrol, which manages Europe’s skies, threatened industrial action that could begin with just five days’ notice at any point over the next six months.
The staff involved work at Eurocontrol’s network management centre. This location plays a vital role in ensuring the efficiency of air traffic control across the continent. It validates aircraft’s flight plans and checks tens of thousands of messages per day.
USB says that it has threatened strikes due to a row over a 25 per cent shortage in staff, management behaviour and an imposed roster system.
France: Travellers warned about ongoing French protests
Unions across France have been in an ongoing battle against an increase in the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. Protests broke out across the country after President Emmanuel Macron decided to push through the change without a parliamentary vote. Strikes have been ongoing since January and have heavily impacted travel.
While the pace of industrial action has slowed down, air traffic controller strikes are still having an impact with budget airline Ryanair having to cancel 900 flights in June. Delays and limited flights over the country are also causing more airspace congestion across Europe, leading to further disruption.
Paris transport strikes threatened over Rugby World Cup
Paris Metro workers have threatened strike action during the Rugby World Cup, which runs from 8 September to 28 October at Stade de France, Saint-Denis. While train drivers will receive a bonus in recognition of the additional services they must run during the event, station staff have not been offered additional pay.
Members of trade union FO-RATP, which represents public transport workers in Paris, have threatened to walk out over the issue. Negotiations are currently ongoing.
Source: Euro News
