Air France pilots vote to stage possible extended strike in June, casting shadow over Euro 2016

French CGT union's members holding union's flags gather outside the court of Bobigny, France, on May 27, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Air France workers of the CGT union (General Confederation of Work) gather next to the Bobigny courthouse, in Bobigny, France, on May 27, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

PARIS (AFP) - Air France pilots voted overwhelmingly on Monday (May 30) for what could be extended strike action in June, their union said, casting another shadow over France's hosting of Euro 2016.

The SNPL, the main pilots' union, told AFP its members had voted by 68 per cent for a strike of more than six days in protest at cuts to their wages.

"There is bound to be action in June," said Mr Emmanuel Mistrali of SNPL Air France, without saying when.

The SNPL still needs to formally announce a strike, but major disruption to flights would have an impact on foreign fans trying to attend matches at Euro 2016, which kicks off on June 10.

It comes against a background of a wave of strike action in protest at the Socialist government's labour reforms.

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