Flight attendants' strike postponed by two weeks

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A threatened strike by Finnish flight attendants has been postponed by two weeks. If no settlement is reached between the Finnish Cabin Crew Union (SLSY) and negotiators representing the airlines Finnair, Blue1, and Air Finland, the stoppage would begin on Saturday, March 26th.
      The Ministry of Labour ordered a postponement of the strike at the request of National Conciliator Juhani Salonius.
     
Salonius also asked the parties to the dispute to give their answers to his possible mediation proposal already on Wednesday the 23rd, so that both employees and passengers would know in time if the strike will take place.
      "There was so much clear progress in the talks today that there are good reasons to continue the negotiations. However, more time is needed than would have been available" said Salonius, explaining why he had asked for a postponement.
      He added that if there had not been any progress, he would not have asked for a delay in the beginning of the strike.
      If it begins on the 26th, the strike would fall in the middle of the Easter holiday, causing considerable disruption to flights during a busy time.
     
The original goal of the union side was to apply the contract between the union and Finnair to all Finnish airlines. However, the employers said that this would raise the labour costs of the other airlines by 30%.
      In his mediation efforts, Salonius has sought to draft a completely new labour contract which would allow for more flexibility among the different airlines.
      There is also disagreement on basic issues such as working hours. The employers’ side has proposed changes to resting times, which the flight attendants say would amount to a 15% cut in pay.
      However, the two sides do agree that the pay hikes must remain within the framework of the existing centralised incomes agreement.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnair and Blue1 flight attendants threaten strike in March (25.2.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat