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Northern Europe's leading airline, with over 1,000 daily flights to over 120 destinations in Scandinavia, Europe, Asia and North America Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) currently is facing major disruptions to its operations due to a cabin crew strike that began on August 23, 2024.
The strike follows failed negotiations between SAS management and Norway’s two key cabin crew unions, NKF and SNK, representing over 600 flight attendants. The primary issues at stake are demands for higher wages, improved working conditions, and additional time off, including more than one weekend off per month.
New Collective Workers Agreement
“We are striking because we did not agree with SAS on completely fair demands. We are not counting on a long strike, but on a new collective agreement” - told public broadcaster NRK, Jørn Eggum, leader of the Fellesforbundet (The United Federation of Trade Unions).
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The strike has led to the cancellation of at least 60 departures from Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger on August 25, with further disruptions expected as additional cabin crew members join the protest in the coming days. Many passengers who had planned to fly with SAS recently have been informed of their flight cancellations.
The labor dispute revolves around stagnant wages, which have remained unchanged since 2012, despite increased workloads and extended working hours. The unions have expressed deep dissatisfaction with these conditions and are prepared for a prolonged strike if necessary.
Martinus Rokkum, head of the SAS Norge cabin crew union at the Parat workers’ organization, emphasized the critical nature of the situation: “We are so far behind in terms of pay that the situation is critical for many people. This cannot continue. We are prepared to strike for as long as necessary to secure a fair agreement.”
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
The strike comes at a challenging time for SAS, which is approaching the end of its Chapter 11 Bankruptcy proceedings in the United States. Despite recent financial improvements, including profits in May and June 2024, SAS remains under substantial pressure to manage costs and ensure long-term profitability.
According to Martinus Røkkum, head of the Norwegian Association of SAS Cabin Crew in the Parat Independent Trade Union, the basic monthly salary for a SAS flight attendant at the lowest salary level is NOK 27,317.
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The Parat Union is intensifying the strike, with 40 cabin crew members participating over the weekend and an additional 47 scheduled to join the strike starting Wednesday.
SAS's Commitment to Resolution
SAS remains committed to resolving the conflict in a manner that is fair to its Norwegian cabin crew while also protecting the company’s competitiveness. “We believe it is possible to find a solution that is attractive to our Norwegian cabin crew while also ensuring the company’s competitiveness”, a SAS spokesperson said.
The airline has made considerable efforts to address the union’s demands, including proposals for wage increases and improved working conditions. However, a final agreement has not yet been reached, and the strike continues to impact operations.
Minimizing Disruption and Supporting Passengers
During this period, SAS’s priority is to minimize disruption to its air traffic program and support its passengers. Travelers are strongly advised to check the status of their flights on the SAS website before heading to the airport.
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To assist affected passengers, SAS is offering a voluntary, free rebooking option for flights traveling to, from, or within Norway between August 26 and August 29, 2024.
Voluntary Rebooking Details
Eligibility:
· Passengers who purchased their tickets on or before August 25, 2024.
Rebooking Period:
· Passengers can rebook for any SAS-operated flights between September 2 and September 26, 2024.
Conditions:
·The ticket must be purchased via the SAS website, SAS app, or SAS customer service.
· The flight has not yet been cancelled.
· The original departure date is between August 26 and August 29, 2024.
· Passengers with special travel requirements, such as traveling with pets, unaccompanied minors, special meal requests, or wheelchair assistance, or those with group tickets, must contact SAS Customer Service or their travel agents directly for rebooking.
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Please note that SAS will not cover additional costs associated with rebooking, such as accommodation, meals, or alternative transport.
Looking Ahead
SAS remains hopeful that ongoing mediation efforts will lead to a swift resolution of the strike, allowing the airline to return to normal operations as quickly as possible. The airline apologizes for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the patience and understanding of its customers during this challenging time.
For ongoing updates and flight information, passengers are encouraged to visit SAS's website at flysas.com.
