Brazilian airline employees threaten pre-Christmas strike

Rio de Janeiro, Dec 22 (IANS/EFE) Unions representing Brazil’s airline pilots, flight attendants and other aviation workers have said they plan to go on strike two days before Christmas to press demands for higher pay.

The threat came in a joint statement issued by the unions Tuesday after their leaders met officials of the labour ministry.

“The airline companies want a strike,” said Selma Balbino, president of a ground employees union, urging the public to prepare for the stoppage that is set to begin at 6 a.m. Thursday.

Airline employees want pay hikes in line with the “spectacular profits” Brazilian carriers have made this year, the statement said.

–IANS/EFE