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Air Canada
Symbol AC
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Close 2018-08-16 C$ 23.87
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FP/wire say Air Canada ex Smith jumps into French flap

2018-08-17 09:13 ET - In the News

The Financial Post reports in its Friday edition that French unions are already roasting Air France-KLM's new chief executive officer, Ben Smith, who was hired from Air Canada yesterday. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post says that recruiting a foreign boss is "inconceivable," nine unions said Thursday. Labour groups will meet Aug. 27 to decide next steps in a long-running dispute over pay that has led to 15 days of strikes and lost flights this year. Mr. Smith, the No. 2 executive at Air Canada, will have to pursue cost cuts and operational improvements in a highly competitive industry while trying to rein in disgruntled unions, all with the French state looking over his shoulder. The poisonous atmosphere should come as no surprise: In 2015, Air France workers protesting job cuts stormed offices near Charles de Gaulle Airport, ripping the shirts off two managers as they jumped a fence to escape. Previous CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac staked his job on a staff vote on his plans -- and lost. "I'm sure he has an idea of the magnitude of the challenge," said Chris Tarry, a U.K.-based aviation consultant. "Would I book a long-haul flight on Air France? It's a question, because there's a risk they'll be on strike."

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