France is so scared of strikes messing up the Olympics that it is letting air traffic controllers show up 3 hours late to work, and leave 3 hours early
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- The union for French air traffic controllers reached a deal to avoid a strike.
- Les Echos reported it includes authorization to turn up to work three hours late, and leave early.
- Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympics, and there are fears strikes could disrupt the event.
French air traffic controllers have been given the legal right to turn up three hours late for work, and leave three hours early, Les Echos reported.
That's because the National Union for Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) reached an agreement that includes ending a practice called "clearances" — where staff could leave work during quiet periods, according to the French newspaper.
Because ending "clearances" led to more working hours, the controllers are now authorized to arrive three hours late or leave three hours early, when traffic permits.
It means French air traffic controllers have a mandatory minimum time on the clock of five hours, according to Les Echos.
The details of the agreement were kept quiet after the SNCTA reached a deal with the government to avoid a strike on April 25. With the Olympics taking place in France this year, politicians were eager to avoid any potential disruption at airports.
It's a big win for the SNCTA and highlights the strength of labor unions in France.
Air traffic controllers also won several other benefits as part of the deal, according to Les Echos. That includes an additional 18 days off work, and retirement at age 59.
Plus, Les Echos reported their salaries are set to go up by an average of 1,500 euros a month, spread over four years. That's around an extra $19,400 a year.
Agence France-Press reported in 2022 that the average French air traffic controller earned $59,820 a year — putting the recent pay increase at around a third.
The report added that the deal will be entirely financed by airlines. As a further three days of strikes were planned for this month, a person familiar with the matter told Les Echos that for Air France, the cost of further strike action could have outweighed the compensation given to the air traffic controllers.