Air Traffic Controllers Strike In France

Go figure, workers in France are striking: air traffic controllers are on strike over fears of a plan to unify European skies, according to the Associated Press.

France's Civil Aviation Authority said Wednesday's air traffic was "more fluid" than expected, with few delays. But airlines are being asked to cancel one out of two flights at Orly airport and one out of five flights at Charles de Gaulle. While only 50 percent of flights at Orly were operating, 90 percent of flights were assured at Charles de Gaulle airport.

The strike, which began Tuesday night, went into full force Wednesday and is set to last until around 6 a.m. Paris time on Thursday. Workers are fearful that the Single European sky concept, which promises greater efficiency, could could them their jobs.

Comments

[killerlawngnome]

04:49 PM on 07/22/2010

All I can do is laugh about this. The dock workers for Sea France went on strike when I was in the water between Dover-Calais. A trip that was usually a little over an hour lasted 5.5 hours. At the time, I was horrified because it was cutting in on my holiday to Amsterdam but now I just laugh. The other people on board were mostly English, by the time we went into the third hour everyone was pissed. Good times.

[Diver992]

10:40 PM on 07/21/2010

Isn't everybody on strike in France? It's kind of a national pastime.

[Totto]

10:40 AM on 07/21/2010

I remember that there was a general strike in France when we were there in 1979. Everything stopped, including lighting, food, and airport service for several hours. Workers occasionally let the government see just who they are responsible to. Same thing happened in Italy, years later.

[netzwerg]

11:35 AM on 07/21/2010

There is a general strike in France every once in a while, nothing unusual.

[Totto]

12:23 PM on 07/21/2010

I know, ain't it great? Workers have realpower while producing useful products and services. What do we make?