European air traffic controllers to go on strike

Air traffic controllers will go on a strike in several European countries. It is expected to disrupt flights next week, a media report said.

The strikes to take place in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia and Hungary is to oppose an European Commission reform plan that might involve austerity measures and job cuts for air traffic controllers in Europe, reported Xinhua Thursday citing the Austrian Press Agency (APA).

The Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination (ATCEUC), comprising 28 unions and 14,000 members, set Wednesday as the action day, while the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) will stage its strike Thursday.

In Austria, air traffic controllers at all the airports will strike from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, which is likely to cause flight delays and cancellations, APA reported.

German air traffic controllers will strike from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (0700 to 0800 GMT) Wednesday, which is expected to affect 600 flights.

France's largest air traffic control union SNTCA planned to follow suit from Monday evening to Friday, but the final strike dates are still subject to negotiations with administrative bodies.

In Italy, air traffic controllers will strike Wednesday and Thursday.