ROISSY — Air France and its representative unions have signed an agreement for employee compensation that includes pay increases over the next few months.

The unions (CFDT, CFE-CGC/UNAC, FO/SNPNC, SPAF and UNSAaérien Air France) – both ground staff and cabin crew components – represent 76.4% of the employees who voted in the last elections.

The key provisions of the agreement, which is considered valid and will be implemented, include a general pay increase of 2%, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018, and a general pay increase of 2% on Jan. 1, 2019.

The next round of annual salary negotiations will begin with all representative unions in October 2019. These discussions will be based on the global economic environment, the present situation of the Air France-KLM Group, as well as the company’s economic performance.

“I would like to thank everyone involved at Air France for the quality of our discussions over the past few weeks, and for the trust that has prevailed throughout,” said Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM and Air France. “This way of working between all parties provides Air France and the Air France-KLM Group with a new perspective going forward, and it is my hope that it will ensure the future success of our airlines.”

Smith was appointed Air France-KLM’s new CEO in August, replacing Jean-Marc Janaillac who quit over three months prior when staff turned down his offer of a pay deal aimed at halting a wave of strikes. Smith, a former Air Canada exec, previously acted as chief negotiator during labour talks with Air Canada’s Rouge.