SAS Pilots Approve Collective Wage Agreement, Averting Fresh Strikes

Hundreds of Danish, Norwegian and Swedish pilots with the Scandinavian carrier SAS have voted in favor of a new collective wage agreement, ending the threat of fresh strikes.

Source dpa (TNS)

Aug. 8, 2022

Copenhagen — Hundreds of Danish, Norwegian and Swedish pilots with the Scandinavian carrier SAS have voted in favour of a new collective wage agreement, ending the threat of fresh strikes.

The pilot union members cast ballots in their respective countries and approved the agreement with the airline's management, the unions announced on Saturday.

In Denmark, 89% of the pilots entitled to vote took part, with 93% voting in favour. The unions initially left open how large the majority was in Norway and Sweden. The overall result is expected to be released next week.

After tough negotiations, the unions and SAS reached an agreement on July 19 on a five-and-a-half-year collective agreement.

It includes a 5% pay cut for pilots and longer hours in the peak summer season. But hundreds of pilots laid off during the coronavirus pandemic will be rehired by the company.

The Scandinavian airline was hit by a two-week strike by cockpit crews in July, costing the company millions and cancelling more than 3,700 flights.