Workers at Dassault Aviation blocked seven of the nine factories the manufacturer operates in France on December 9, 2021, demanding an increase in wages. The action comes a week after the plane maker received the largest order in its history.  

Citing the company's full backlog, employees have made demands for better wages. The CGT trade union called for another day of industrial action on December 10, 2021.  

“Today there is discontent among the workers,” Damien Jouanne, a CGT representative explained to AFP. “The order book is full, there are already fifteen years of work, to which is added the new contract.” 

AeroTime reached out to Dassault Aviation for comment. 

On December 3, 2021, the United Arab Emirates ordered 80 Rafale fighter jets as well as 12 Caracal transport helicopters. The total contract is valued at €17 billion ($19 billion).  

“This contract is very good news for France and for its aeronautics industry, for the entire ecosystem of the 400 companies, large and small, which contribute to the Rafale,” commented Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Thousands of jobs are guaranteed in the next decade for our sector.” 

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Rafale’s biggest order: UAE buys 80 French fighter jets
United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an order to buy 80 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets, the biggest international order ever made for the model