Air France strike to continue Thursday with major disruptions

PARIS, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- A major strike by Air France pilots is to continue for a fourth day on Thursday, with just over 40 percent of the flag-carrier's services expected to be assured.
Air France said Wednesday that 42 perAbout 60 percent of the national airline's pilots walked off the job on Monday to protest conditions at the company's low-cost subsidiary, "Transavia", where pilots are apparently being paid less than at parent company Air France.
Working conditions at the low-cost unit are also said to be less favourable to employees in order to keep overhead down.
Air France staff says this is creating conditions of unfair competition and dragging down remuneration and benefits at the national carrier.
The strike is set to continue all week and management has warned it would put the airline in the red, as far as profitability was concerned. (end) jk.mt