The Financial Times (8/17, Subscription Publication) reported that Air France-KLM unions announced their intention Friday to take industrial action to protest the appointment of Benjamin Smith as the carrier’s first non-French CEO. The AP (8/17) reported that the appointment of Smith sparked “union fears Friday that he would cut back on wages and work conditions.” The carrier announced that Smith will take over as chief executive by September 30. Unions also have expressed “concerns that he would tend to expand the company’s low cost subsidiaries instead of developing Air France’s main brand.” Union representatives plan to meet on August 27 to “discuss potential strike actions.” Separately, a Dutch pilots’ union announced Friday that its members will prepare to take industrial action as negotiations on a new labor agreement have broken down. In a statement, KLM expressed “disbelief and disappointment” at the union’s rejection of its offer.