The aim of the conciliation meeting organised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) with UNSA-ICNA on Wednesday 25 June was to avoid a mobilisation "with serious consequences for users and those involved in air transport, at both national and European level". UNSA-ICNA is the second-largest union among air traffic controllers, but is in a minority. It has a strong presence in certain centres in the south of France, and has filed a complaint with the DGAC. strike notice for 3 and 4 July. Some of the busiest days of the year". due to the large number of people going on holiday during this period "the DGAC regretted that " the choice of these dates ".
The reasons given by the union for this nationwide industrial action, which could be followed by others, point to an authoritarian management style within the Air Navigation Services Division, which maintains " a climate of constant pressure and mistrust incompatible with the calm and safety requirements of the air traffic controller's job ". Another complaint is that the tools available to air traffic controllers are being modernised too slowly, systems at the end of their tether or structural understaffing. " The repeated major breakdowns - as recently at Orly - are the result of unilateral decisions that the UNSA has condemned. "In a press release dated 23 June. The UNSA-ICNA is thus calling for "a change of course" to boost staff numbers and bring technical modernisation projects to a successful conclusion.
For its part, in response to these demands on a number of points - controllers' presence, pay and recruitment - the DGCA stresses that some of the measures currently being implemented have been imposed ". by the regulations in force "Others follow the recommendations of the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses following a serious incident. such as the introduction of a presence check for air traffic controllers ". Essential measures according to the DGAC " to comply with European regulations and improve air traffic control safety ".
In addition, with regard to the remuneration of controllers, the social agreement signed between the administration and the majority of the unions in 2024 has made it possible to improve the remuneration of controllers. salary increases for air traffic controllers covering the demand. However, the DGAC says it recognises the difficulties associated with the chronic understaffing situation, " which affect the quality of service provided to airlines ". Hence, in her opinion, a recruitment plan currently underway which she considers "a major step forward". ambitious "and is part of in a multi-year strategy ".
Will confronting these arguments make it possible toavoid chaos at airports in these days of holiday departures, but also business trips with this strike scheduled for Thursday and Friday 3 and 4 July? That remains to be seen.
