Airport strikes ground some flights in Paris
STORY: Airport workers went on strike at Paris’ main airport on Friday (July 1).
Ground staff demonstrated for a pay rise to help cope with high inflation.
The protests forced 10% of services to be cancelled at Charles de Gaulle airport - or around 100 flights.
Fabrice Criquet is from a Paris Airports labour union.
"The administration has taken advantage of the pandemic to lower wages. Now, air traffic is coming back, there's no longer any problem, but they have slashed thousands of jobs, around 1,500, at the Paris Airports.”
Queues built up through the day as some passengers tried to check in, while others made alternative arrangements.
Many travellers expressed frustration at the chaos:
"We're waiting, waiting, waiting. I only have an hour left to get my bags checked, and when I see the people in front of me, I'm not sure how it will go, we don't have any information at the moment."
Unions want a monthly salary increase of 300 euros, or just over $300.
The companies involved have rejected that.
A government spokesperson said talks are planned for next week.
