Communiqué de soutien d'ETF à propos du mouvement de grève français du 23/02/2010

ETF DEMANDS A COOPERATIVE ROADMAP FOR THE FABEC

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) expresses its support with the strike
in France from 23 to 26 February, organised by the French unions representing the vast
majority of the French Air Traffic Management (ATM) personnel. Their request to have a
real social dialogue in order to find a cooperative solution for the FABEC (Functional
Airspace Block Europe Central) is more than justified. The success of this first day of
strike shows that consolidation is rejected by the workers. Indeed, the single ANSP (Air
Navigation Service Provider) can not ensure safety or cost-effectiveness and has
indefensible social consequences. The ETF reiterates its demand to use a cooperative
roadmap, the “Co-op Model”, instead of a model of consolidation to establish
sustainable Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs).

The announcement of the French Ministry of Transport to support the ANSP consolidation in
FABEC threatens jobs and employment conditions in the aviation sector. The ETF is convinced
that harmonisation of air traffic control is possible with positive social consequences instead of
social losses. The ETF acknowledges that FABs can bring additional improvements over time.
But the ETF can only support a model that reaches a coherent air traffic control system for
Europe which improves safety, increases flight efficiency and secures the social consequences
of FAB implementation. Therefore the ETF proposed the “Co-op Model” for sustainable FABs,
both for the providers and their employees. François Ballestero, the ETF Political Secretary,
said: “A constructive political dialogue is needed to establish the FABEC, which should be built
through cooperation between all interested ANSPs.”

The Co-op Model
The model is based on cooperation between ANSPs, and between employers and employees.
It consists of Area Control Centers (ACCs) remotely located, but interconnected and operating
technically as a single ATM centre. The Co-op Model allows the identification of information to
be shared between different ATM systems. Through the Co-op Model, FABs can increase the
performance with positive social consequences, improve safety, increase cost effectiveness and
reduce environmental impact.

The ETF reiterates its support and solidarity with its members in their fight for safeguarding its
members terms and conditions while insuring the highest possible safety level.

For further information, please contact François Ballestero (Tel: +32 2 285 46 65; f.ballestero@etf-
europe.org)