Majority among the pilots both in Norway, Sweden and Denmark for SAS agreements
Press manager Tonje Sund in SAS has put pressure on SAS not to have the working hours, but that the agreement gives flexibility to work more one week, against working for less other weeks. Total working time is like the old agreements – as a pilot can work 190 hours over a four-week period, she points out.
– Proud of the members
Leader Ole Fredrik Knutsen of the Norwegian SAS pilots’ association says The daily Børsen that he is proud of his members.
– The result is clear. It shows that you take responsibility in the difficult situation the situation is in. We are proud of the members, says Knutsen.
However, he still said that the new tariff agreement is far from good.
– It is perhaps the worst agreement of all time, but it shows that we stand behind SAS and that we show solidarity with those who have been made redundant, he says.
Five-year peace agreement
The agreement comes into force from 1 October and ensures peace for SAS until 2027. It involves the parties having a duty of peace – and is prevented from striking and going into lockout – for five and a half years.
If the pilots had not voted for an accepted agreement, the hard-hit airline would again be hit by a strike, from Thursday 11 August.
CEO of NHO Luftfart, Torbjørn Lothe, says that they are satisfied that the pilots have now formally approved the agreement.
– This means that there will be peace around the company, and SAS can focus on creating a good flight offer in Norway and abroad. It benefits passengers and businesses throughout Scandinavia, says Lothe.
Huge costs
Around 900 pilots in Norway, Sweden and Denmark went on strike when mediation broke down at the start of July. This despite persistent attempts and negotiations well into overtime.
The bitter and sometimes loud conflict between SAS and the pilots caused enormous losses to the company during the 15 days it lasted – an estimated DKK 100 million per day, or just under a billion DKK in total.
On Friday, traffic figures for July showed that passenger numbers fell by a third – 32 percent – from the previous month.