The Finnish national carrier Finnair is set to offer new flight attendants about 30 per cent less pay than older workers doing the same jobs get. The airline's approximately 200 fixed term flight crew also face a similar pay cut if they are given permanent positions.
On Tuesday Finnair said that it would hire 500 new flight attendants, of whom 300 would be completely new employees, and 200 will have worked with Finnair on fixed-term contracts.
Finnair also plans to hire 100 new pilots. The airline's growing services to Asia account for much of the need for new personnel.
The Finnish Cabin Crew Union (SLSY) is not pleased with the plans to cut pay for new staff members.
Finnair information officer Christer Haglund says that the airline has paid its flight crews more than the norm in the business. He notes that increasing competition from cut-rate airlines is putting pressure on the airline.
Discussions between Finnair and SLSY are continuing. The next meeting is expected on Thursday evening.
Finnair also plans to adhere to its policy of hiring Asian flight attendants to work on its services to Asia.
The procedure will be as at present, ensuring that there are one or two Asian cabin attendants on each flight to and from destinations in that part of the world.
