Paris airport unions call strike over Olympic bonuses

Paris, France - As the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics draw near, unions representing workers at Paris' airports have called for a strike the week before the opening day of the event. The CGT, CFDT, FO and UNSA unions have announced the strike, scheduled for July 17, to demand bonuses for all staff in light of the upcoming Olympics. They have denounced what they perceive as "unilateral decisions from the chief executive to pay a bonus to only some personnel."

The strike comes amidst concerns about potential disruptions at the state-controlled Groupe ADP, which operates Paris' main airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly. The airports are expected to be the primary entry points for foreign visitors, with an estimated daily transit of up to 350,000 people during the Games, in addition to accommodating athletes and their equipment.

Preparations for the Arrival of Athletes

With thousands of athletes set to arrive from July 18, coinciding with the opening of the athletes' village, Charles de Gaulle Airport is making arrangements to handle a variety of oversized sports equipment, including kayaks, bikes, and polevaulting poles, at a new temporary baggage terminal.

Workers across the public sector in France, including police, air traffic controllers, rubbish collectors, central government employees, metro and train drivers, and firefighters, have also demanded additional compensation or support for working during the Paris Games, which coincide with the traditional summer holiday period in France. These demands have put pressure on employers to address them in order to prevent potential disruptions.

The strike at Paris' airports is just one of the many developments leading up to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, with various news emerging about the event and the athletes who will participate.