NORWAY: Fellesforbundet and NHO Luftfart go to mediation after the result of the Aviation Agreement was voted down. 160 aircraft workers may be on strike from 21 June.
As many as 85 per cent of the Fellesforbundet members who took part in the referendum with a deadline of 2 June voted against the outcome of the negotiations on the Aviation Agreement. Now the parties must meet for mediation to avoid a strike.
– Here the members’ feedback is unambiguous. I think the employer also notices this. We are ready to continue the wage settlement with NHO Luftfart at the Ombudsman, said chief negotiator Dag-Einar Sivertsen when the referendum result was ready.
Set for a demanding mediation
When the members say no to a result achieved in negotiations, the agreement goes to mediation. Fellesforbundet and NHO Luftfart thus go to the Ombudsman to try to reach an agreement.
The mediation will take place on Monday 20 June, with a deadline at midnight on the same day. If the parties do not reach an agreement in the mediation, 160 of the Fellesforbundet’s members can be taken out on strike.
– Our goal is to reach a solution in the mediation within the deadline, but should the mediation not succeed, a strike will be initiated among our members on the Flight Agreement from the beginning of working hours on Tuesday 21 June, says chief negotiator and union secretary Dag-Einar Sivertsen.
Lack of real wage development
When Fellesforbundet goes to the mediation on Monday, the association has a clear goal that the parties can agree on a result that the members can support. Fellesforbundet’s chief negotiator is motivated to find a solution, but states that both the delegation and the members are ready to fight if necessary.
– If this industry is to be competitive in attracting the right people, we must see a progression in the development of the wage level in the agreement. We have a very demanding mediation ahead of us where the lack of real wage development in the agreement has our clear focus, says Sivertsen.
– A strike will of course and unfortunately have negative consequences for the travelers when we talk about the flight agreement. A strike is therefore not what our members absolutely want, but it is still the tool we have in the box if we do not reach the goal of mediation, states Dag-Einar Sivertsen.
The flight agreement is a collective agreement that includes ground crews such as aircraft technicians, mechanics, cabin crew, drivers, cleaning personnel and other personnel related to loading and unloading, expedition and more.
Notice of resignation (strike withdrawal)
Fellesforbundet has initially announced resignation (1st withdrawal) for members of Aviator in Bergen and Widerøe Ground Handling in Trondheim.
In total, this resignation concerns 160 members, who are ready for a labor struggle if the mediation does not succeed. Any escalation of the strike will be continuously assessed and implemented if this becomes necessary.
Lacks personnel in the first place
Airports are adjusting to low traffic through the pandemic. This leads to summer trouble both here at home and abroad.
– This summer, everyone will travel again. Whether it is internally in Norway or abroad, the sales figures show that we are ready for an air holiday in 2022, says claims manager traveling in Frende Forsikring, Petter Lassen.
The problems have been building up in Europe in recent weeks and we hear almost daily about long queues, cancellations and great frustration among holiday-ready travelers. Flight analyst Hans Jørgen Elnæs says that there are many roles to be filled at an airport in addition to the employees who come with you on board.
– There are people at check-in, security check, luggage delivery and out on the ground when you take off and land. Many of these have experienced downsizing through layoffs and redundancies in recent years, says Elnæs.
Around Easter, many travelers also experienced that the airlines were working to increase staffing after the pandemic. The result was that many were not allowed to travel because flights were canceled or rebooked.
Calculate extra time
Since many on the ground have also left the industry, new ones must be trained and safety cleared. Norwegians can notice this when the number of travelers increases.
– It can cause queues at the terminals, at the security checkpoint or when you have to pick up your luggage after landing. We probably need to lubricate ourselves with a little extra patience. But we arrive and we are allowed to travel, so I hope people focus most on that, says Lassen in Frende.
– Many have sufficient staff in place, but it is probably wise to take on some challenges at the airports now that the high season is approaching. Allow a little more time than usual, especially if you are going to change planes during the trip, he says.
– Many have not traveled by plane for several years and have forgotten the routines. What can you have in your hand luggage, how do you get ready for the security check, which boarding group are you in and how long does it take to reach the street on time? There is a lot we did automatically before that must be remembered again, says Lassen.
– This summer, it is important to follow the information in the media, from the airlines and airports, when you go out to travel. If you are out at the airport too early, it can contribute to more queues and chaos. We have already seen this at a number of major airports in Europe, says Hans Jørgen Elnæs.
Believe in several direct routes
Elnæs believes the pandemic in the long run can lead to more direct routes from cities other than Oslo.
– The demand for direct routes to Europe from cities such as Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger is great. We will travel directly to avoid problems with stopovers. It is good for the smaller places and better products, says Elnæs.
He does not think it is negative for the environment with more direct routes.
– There are signs that we will travel and that the seats will be filled. Then it is environmentally better to fly directly than to stopover. The loser in the whole can be Gardermoen, says Hans Jørgen Elnæs.
This is what you do if you are hit by plane chaos this summer:
- If your flight is rebooked or canceled, the airline you are traveling with will help you. It can be with a new flight and hotel until your new departure, or your money back. You are also entitled to compensation at standard rates, regardless of whether you have lost money or not. More info on the Consumer Council’s website.
- If something happens unforeseen while you are on your way to the airport, such as a car accident preventing you from arriving on time, travel insurance can help you.
