Paris (AFP)
The SNPL, the majority union of pilots at Air France, announced on Wednesday that it had approved by referendum a draft agreement for the development of the domestic network of the low-cost subsidiary Transavia, a plan which will involve the resumption of certain lines of Hop! and the elimination of nearly half of the regional subsidiary's workforce.
Transavia France, hitherto confined to the medium-haul network, "will shortly announce the details of the routes it plans to provide and the timetable for their opening", according to a press release from management.
"The members overwhelmingly approved the draft agreements to support the domestic project and the amendment to the Air France-Transavia France pilot group agreement by 90.37% of positive votes. The participation rate reached 82 , 63% ", welcomes the SNPL in a press release.
For the CEO of Air France-KLM, Benjamin Smith, "the rapid signing of this agreement is a major step forward in the recovery strategy of the Air France-KLM group".
"While our sector is going through an unprecedented crisis and entering a phase of profound change, we have taken an essential step in order to sustainably improve our economic and environmental performance", he added, quoted in a press release from management.
Strongly shaken by the Covid-19 crisis, like the entire sector, the Air France group announced a "reconstruction plan" which provides for a reduction of its French network by 40% by the end of 2021, with in particular the closure of lines with an alternative by train in less than 2.5 hours, as well as the transfer of certain domestic lines to its low-cost subsidiary Transavia, until now limited to medium-haul.
The group formalized in early July the elimination of 7,580 jobs by the end of 2022, or 16% of Air France's workforce and 42% of those of Hop !. Management is counting on natural departures that are not replaced and voluntary departures, but in the short-haul, forced departures are not excluded.
- "destruction" -
On Wednesday, a second extraordinary CSE started at the head office of Hop! in Nantes, where a plan to cut 1,007 jobs was presented.
According to the documents consulted by AFP, the Orly site, which represents 350 jobs (expressed in FTE, full-time equivalent), and that of Morlaix (209 jobs), will be closed, as will that of Lille (88 jobs). ).
Apart from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Lyon, all flight crew bases are also promised at closure.
The CSE will continue on Thursday, according to a union.
"We will intensify the fight and continue to fight because this plan is unacceptable. It is not a restructuring plan, it is a plan of destruction," said Joël Rondel, secretary of the CSE and elected CGT.
"Hop! Is clearly an adjustment variable", reacted Jean-Philippe Rocaut, member of the SNPL (pilots).
Several unions have denounced the rise of Transavia.
Within Transavia, pilots have remuneration harmonized with those of Air France, even if they fly more, according to the SNPL. Hostesses and stewards have less advantageous contracts and ground staff are subcontracted.
For the management of the group, "these changes will allow a rationalization of the short-haul activity".
At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Hop! will connect the hub to regional markets, at Orly Air France will continue to provide La Navette to Toulouse, Nice and Marseille, thus the lines to Corsica and Transavia France will launch domestic links while continuing its growth to Europe, specifies the management .
The group also aims to develop the Hop! and Transavia in Lyon
ls-cd-hdu-sw / jmi / pb
© 2020 AFP