Strike

For months now, the issue has been on the table of all the unions in the French aviation sector.

Despite numerous meetings with the various ministries and proposals laid out by the administration, the plan does not meet the expectations of the personnel representatives of the airlines operating in France.

They condemn a reform of the earn-and-retire rule that is punitive for all players in the sector.

As indicated in the leaflet, the industry faces its own specificities, such as strict medical follow-up that could lead to an early end to a career, as well as a legally imposed retirement age for flight crew.

The cross-union demanded a firm exclusion of the technical and commercial flight crew from the reform.

Until now, “we have obtained only limited promises“. After threats, the workers’ representatives have moved to action.

SNPL, UNSA PNC, SNGAF, SPNC and UNAC have decided to file a national strike notice, which will affect all airlines operating from France.

Already, last July, we reported on the tensions between the unions and the government.

The cause of this discontent, as we explained, lies in the reform of the employment-retirement cumulation law (CER). It is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

It provides that all earned income, including unemployment, could be deducted from the pension paid by the Caisse de retraite complémentaire du personnel navigant professionnel de l’aéronautique civile (CRPN).

Before this reform, a retiree could combine their retirement pension with the salaries they earned if they chose to work because their pension was too low or for personal reasons.

Let us remind that the CRPN is a private pension fund.

To read : Aviation: Sébastien Lecornu under pressure to avoid a national strike!

Moreover, up to 67 years old, if the income from resuming professional activity exceeds 7,000 euros gross, then, as explained on the government website, “your retirement pensions will be reduced by an amount equal to 50% of the excess amount.”

And before 64, the deduction will be even total.

The unions fear siphoning of the CRPN, regularly attacked by governments because of its comfortable financial cushion.

The discontent, according to the unions, is very real and the base seems to be heated to a fever pitch.

Social movements have continued since the return from holidays, notably among low-cost carriers. Some employees, particularly the younger ones, do not feel truly involved.

It remains to be seen whether the strike notice will have a strong impact. The main objective, however, is to push the government to move.

The unions decry that they have obtained only a partial exemption for flight crew, with commitment only via a circular, i.e., the equivalent of an “internal service notice“, they grumble.

“We therefore have no reliable guarantee, unlike other groups which, themselves, are already excluded in the law, or in the future implementing decree, such as civil security PNT and air medical transport personnel.”

According to the staff representatives, the government’s objective would be to take control of the CRPN reserves, which exceed 5 billion euros.

“The organizations composing the PNC/PNT inter-union have no choice but to call on all flight personnel of transport and air work companies, under French law, to completely cease work on flights operated from Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 00:01, Paris time, to Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 23:59, Paris time“, states the leaflet.

Although this strike notice is aimed at bending the government’s position, dialogue remains possible, according to the document.