Air Tahiti cleared of union claims over strike-breaking staff

By Andrew Curran.

A Papeete judge has dismissed union claims that Air Tahiti broke local industrial relations laws by employing foreign workers during a strike. At a November 5 hearing, the Tribunal de Première Instance judge said claims of law-breaking by labour union Confédération des Syndicats Indépendants de Polynésie (CSIP) lacked any hard evidence and dismissed the matter.

Around 50 Air Tahiti employees represented by two different unions are now almost three weeks into a strike that continues to disrupt the state-owned domestic airline.

The strike, which began on October 22, concerns higher wages, better equipment, improved working conditions and staffing levels, as well as larger bonuses and better work schedules.

Claims of flying in foreign workers

However, after the strike began, CSIP claimed Air Tahiti had called in outside assistance, specifically two Air New Zealand ground staff and one Air France ground staff member. French Polynesian labour laws prohibit the hiring of temporary workers, contract employees or other individuals during a strike.

Air Tahiti said it had done no such thing. It said the two airlines had brought in their own ground handlers to ensure their aircraft were turned around on time. Air Tahiti normally provides ground handling services for Air New Zealand and Air France at Papeete Airport (PPT).

Ahead of last week’s court hearing, Air Tahiti’s counsel was confident the airline would be cleared of the allegations.

As reported by Papeete’s Radio One, among other findings, the judge found that CSIP could not prove “with the required degree of certainty in summary proceedings that Air Tahiti organised or directed the replacement of striking employees with external personnel”.

Following the ruling, Air Tahiti’s lawyer, Yves Pirio, described CSIP’s claims as “utter nonsense”.

Air Tahiti was also awarded costs. Confédération des Syndicats Indépendants de Polynésie says it intends to appeal the decision.

Strike continues to disrupt Air Tahiti's flights

The strike involves only a handful of Air Tahiti’s approximately 1,600 employees, but it continues to have a significant impact on the airline’s operations.

On Friday, November 6, Air Tahiti cancelled 15 of its 38 scheduled services. On Saturday, November 7, the airline was reporting that it expected to cancel six of its 30 scheduled flights.

Talks between Air Tahiti, CSIP and the second union, which represents flight attendants, Syndicat du Personnel Navigant Commercial d’Air Tahiti (SPENCAT), are continuing.

Photo: Air Tahiti
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com