Air traffic controllers across Europe have launched a campaign in opposition to European Commission proposals that contradict European treaty articles protecting the right to strike.

The European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) and Air Traffic Controllers European Unions’ Coordination (ATCEUC) have joined forces to launch an online petition under the banner ‘Our Rights, Your Safety.’  The petition has already gathered over 3,000 signatures.

Helen Sheridan of IMPACT’s Air Traffic Controller branch explained: “This is a campaign to protect the rights of air traffic controllers to engage in industrial action, including the right to strike. This comes in the face of a concerted campaign by airline groups to diminish those rights. We are asking IMPACT members to sign the campaign petition to protect this fundamental workers’ right.”

IMPACT national Secretary Angela Kirk backed the call to support the petition and said that the ATCEUC and ETF firmly believe that the only way to address conflicts is to have proper social dialogue.

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