Number Of Affected Passengers Continues To Grow

Members of the Scandinavian pilot unions in SAS Scandinavia were called out on strike Friday. As a consequence of the strike, domestic, European and long-haul flights have been canceled, and thousands of travelers will be affected. Flights operated by SAS Ireland and airlines that are subcontractors of SAS will not be affected by the strike.

Fox News reports that as of Monday, the strike had affected some 170,000 passengers due to flight cancellations.

Scandinavian Airlines said in a news release that the strike follows lack of success in reaching an agreement between the parties. Negotiations have been held in all three countries since March and with the support of external mediators in the final stages. SAS wishes to continue negotiations and reach an agreement to end the strike as soon as possible.

“It is deeply regretful that the pilots strike will have a negative impact on our customers. SAS is prepared to continue to negotiate, but if the requirements were to be met, they would have very negative consequences for the company. Nonetheless, the pilot associations have chosen conflict. Our first priority now is to take care of our passengers and at this moment in time, all SAS employees are doing everything they can to help customers affected,” says Karin Nyman, Director of Communications at SAS.

All members of the pilot unions have been called out on strike which means that most domestic, European and all long-haul flights have been canceled. The strike does not include flights operated by SAS partners, which make up approximately 30% of all departures.

IFALPA said in a news release that the strike could have been avoided if SAS management had shown more willingness to engage in good faith negotiations. It is unfortunate that just before the start of the negotiations, SAS Management suddenly chose to end all existing agreements with the pilots on cooperation, production, career development, and seniority systems.

IFALPA believes that neither SAS pilots, nor any other pilot group, should accept deteriorating working conditions, unpredictable hours, and a lack of job security. IFALPA urges SAS Management to consider the gravity of the situation and reconsider their stance, not only for the sake of their workers but for that of the travelling public.

The Federation pledges its full support to all SAS pilots on strike in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, and extends the hope that this unfortunate matter will draw to a swift and mutually satisfactory conclusion.

(Source: news releases and as cited. Image from file)

FMI: www.flysas.com/en/disruptions
www.ifalpa.org
Source report