Cabin crew wage dispute could lead to strike action in Norway

On Thursday afternoon, neither NHO Luftfart, Parat, nor Fellesforbundet were willing to comment on the status of mediation talks. Fellesforbundet indicated that the parties were far apart during their meeting at the National Mediator’s office the day before, with cabin crew demanding higher wages and better working conditions.

According to SAS Norway Cabin Association (SNK), cabin crew at SAS earn the least among all cabin personnel in the country. They reported that a newly hired staff member at SAS earns 27,500 NOK before taxes and does not receive any additional pay for evening, night, or weekend shifts. Cabin crew also highlighted long working hours and short breaks.

At around 11 p.m. on Thursday, just an hour before the mediation deadline, National Mediator Mats Ruland stated that discussions were still ongoing. He emphasized the complexity of issues related to working hours and financial matters, particularly within the aviation sector. He added, “It’s too early to say how long we will continue, but I don’t foresee a resolution before the midnight deadline.”

When mediation began on Wednesday, Dag-Einar Sivertsen from Fellesforbundet noted the significant gap between the parties, raising concerns about the real risk of a strike. NHO Luftfart’s managing director, Erik Lahnstein, acknowledged the challenges in reaching an agreement, especially given SAS’s financial restructuring.

If the parties fail to reach an agreement by midnight, 115 of the 640 members of the cabin association may go on strike, which Fellesforbundet believes would have immediate impacts on SAS’s flight network. Passengers could face grounded flights, leading to further disruptions.

Commentators have expressed skepticism about the likelihood of an agreement, pointing to SAS’s precarious financial situation. Low wage levels among cabin crew are attributed to the international nature of the industry, which limits the potential for higher salaries in a competitive market.