Air France pilots join embarrassing train, garbage strikes

PARIS — About a quarter of Air France pilots are striking to demand better working conditions — the latest challenge to travellers and France’s image as it hosts Europe’s biggest sporting event.

Weeks of strikes and demonstrations over the country’s labour reforms and other industrial disputes have led to panic at the pumps, violent protests in the streets and, most recently, garbage rotting in the gutters. It’s a litany of headaches which some Parisians fear will scare away visitors.

“I’m telling you, France has become a very ugly country,” Francoise Cuip, 60, told a reporter in Paris’ well-heeled 16th district. “It’s my country, but that’s the way it is.” 

French leaders had hoped to put the disruption behind them as the country turned its attention to the European Championship soccer tournament, which is expected to draw over 2 million visitors, but unions are planning to keep up the airline and trash strikes through Tuesday.

Up to a fifth of flights are canceled Saturday, Air France said, both domestic and international. Among those affected were flights carrying spectators to cities holding matches.

French train drivers have also been on strike for days; France’s SNCF rail company was disrupted in the southeast, with cancellations possible. In Paris the rail link between the capital and Charles de Gaulle Airport was disrupted, with few trains running along the usually busy route.

Meanwhile garbage was piling up uncollected because of a continuing strike and blockages by collectors.

On the streets of the capital, there was exasperation at the drumbeat of disruption.

“When it’s not the trains, when it’s not the metro, it’s the trash,” said Catherine Jacob, 48, who was walking past an overflowing garbage bin near Paris’ Trocardero. “In terms of hygiene, it’s not good for the tourists, it’s not good for the residents. Tomorrow we’ll have rats in the street.” 

The strikes are occurring for different reasons, but the labour unrest is tapping into nationwide discontent as the government tries to change laws regulating working hours and layoffs.

The influential CGT union, which is driving much of the action, may meet with the government over the weekend.