“We come to support our representatives, we are fully behind them”explains Christophe, airline pilot. “We are all on the same line, we refuse the reduction in salaries. We are asked to make efforts that have already been made more than once, now it is up to the management and the shareholders to make them. They have not I didn’t spend that much money when I arrived.”he continues.
“Catastrophic management”
With his colleagues, they discuss the sacrifices already made by the staff during the company’s first turbulence. “We have not been upgraded since 2017, despite inflation. In 2020, during Covid, we gave up ten days of leave and the 13th month. We reduced the on-board staff. And today, then that we had a record turnover of 438 million euros last year, it is still up to us to do the work of the shareholder”, deplores Philippe, another pilot.
The bitterness is palpable in the ranks. “We are not spoiled children, we are not paid better than in other companies. We are away from home ten days a month, we sleepless nights… We love our job, we love this company, but now they want to take everything away from us overnight”denounces Michèle, cabin crew.
“They want to make us pay for catastrophic management. We are not the ones who bought planes without insurance, we are not responsible for the engine failures. We are fed up with the incompetence of our leaders and paying for the broken pots”, says Stéphanie, a flight attendant too.
Reasons for hope
And to deplore the attitude of shareholders in these discussions. “Basically, we’re being threatened with going out of business if we don’t give up. It’s blackmail. It’s always up to the little ones to make an effort and never the big ones,” says Valérie.
“The worst thing is that they put doubt in the minds of the population”continues Michèle. “There are some who wonder if they should get their ticket from us, this whole climate creates uncertainty and it’s damaging.” Despite everything, Air Austral employees still kept “hope” while the prefect brought together the stakeholders in the file. “There is a future for this company. Our long-haul flights are full, the demand exists, customer feedback is very positive,” recalls Philippe.
“Despite what we endure, we keep smiling”continues Michèle. “But at some point, we have to keep our dignity. We don’t want to go as far as a strike, but if necessary, we will go.”
SG
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