France, Brazil Face Delays; Negotiations Heat Up
French Strike Again... updated
French rail and mass transit workers plan another traffic-crippling response to President Sarkozy’s plans to change pensions with an unlimited transport strike beginning the night of Nov. 13.
November 8, the largest union representing Paris transit workers decided to join the strike, and five other unions at the Paris metro, bus and RER express lines will likely join. It’s also possible that a number of workers, including Air France employees, will strike in sympathy.
Previous strikes in October sent the French scouting for bicycles and left business travelers stuck in traffic congestion. Two major energy unions expect to strike for 24-hours beginning Nov. 14. It’s difficult to say what impacts the energy strike will have, but we have been advised it won’t be good.
November 20th, rail workers will be joined by striking civil servants, teachers and postal workers, angered by proposed job cuts, and the UNEF student union. With Sarkozy vowing to hold the course, travelers should prepare for slow downs and shut downs.
Brazilian Airline Calls it Quits For Now
Beleaguered Brazilian Airline BRA Transportes Aereos has rolled up the tarmac, temporarily suspending flights amidst speculation of financial woes. The airline reportedly sent lay off notices to its 1,100 employees, and is attempting to connect ticketed passengers with other airlines. With two major crashes, radar outages and labor strikes within the past few years, BRA Transportes has seen its share of troubles. Business travelers in Brazil will most likely feel the pain as other airlines overbook and delay to cover cancelled flights.
American Airlines Talks Hit Turbulence
American Airlines faces some tough times ahead, with Pilot Association negotiations heading south fast, bargaining with the Transport Union Workers just begun, and talks with flight attendants slated for early 2008. Any of those unions could put a major crimp in American Airlines flights, but collectively they could do some serious damage.
Some key points have been determined for pilots, including how furloughs will be handled, but per usual pay remains a hot topic. Several talks are scheduled for November, but neither party appears to be playing nice.
Airport business.com, which covers the aviation industry, reports that union officials have sent American’s parent company a strongly worded letter containing this particularly colorful quote: "enjoy your blood money and your union-busting meetings. We'll see you in court, in the newspapers and on the picket line.”
Sticks and stone break bones, but business travelers know that strikes can also hurt you.