Adria flight staff hint at potential strike
The union representing Adria Airways' pilots has warned of possible industrial action if no progress is made in negotiating their new collective agreements. The Slovenian Pilots Union told the "Siol" portal that a strike could be announced if the carrier's German owners fail to improve the workplace, including shorter hours and a more consistent schedule. "If we do not make significant progress in the next few days in negotiating a new collective agreement to ensure better working conditions, then we will undertake measures available to us within existing legislation", a member of the union said. The union representing Adira Airways' cabin crew is currently contacting its members to discuss a possible walk-out should talks with the management fail.
According to the pilot union, crew duty times have been significantly extended, while there have also been complaints of more out-of-base operations. The existing collective agreement expires at the end of September, but a new one should be inked by the end of August, at the latest. Unions warn that rights within their existing contacts are regularly breached, while July's wages were delayed by several days. Pilot union leader, Luka Radovic, said, "Pilots need to work in line with the collective agreement. The consequences are fatigue and sick leave. Instead of the company scheduling thirty flights per day, there should be five less. This would provide enough standby personnel in the event an aircraft is grounded or there is a lack of staff". Mr Radovic previously noted, "We are under a great deal of stress. The flexibility we provide to the company is quite high compared to previous years. We also work more than fifty hours a week and Adria has been breaching the collective agreement for some time".
Adria Airways' CEO, Holger Kowarsch, refused to comment on the potential strike, noting, "Negotiations concerning the conclusion of a new collective agreement are internal". The last time Adria Airways' pilots went on strike was in March 2017. The industrial action lasted for two days. Following the announcement of further strikes, a deal was reached with the company's management. The potential industrial dispute comes at a time when Adria is seeking to win back the trust of its passengers following operational issues experienced over the past two months. Over the last year, the carrier has hired more than fifty pilots and seventy crew members.
0 Response to "Adria flight staff hint at potential strike"
Post a Comment