SAS pilots in Denmark, Norway and Sweden have threatened to strike from April 26 following a breakdown in talks on a new agreement on pay and working hours.
The dispute between the airline and the SAS pilot group has gone to mediation following the breakdown.
The pilot group, an umbrella body covering four pilots’ associations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, announced the strike date after negotiations in Denmark broke up.
SAS pilot group chairman Wilhelm Tersmeden said: “Most pilots at SAS have no control over when or how long they have to work.
“Pilots run the risk of having to work seven consecutive weekends. This is unsustainable. We are demanding greater predictability in schedules.”
The group is also demanding “a market adjustment of our salary”.
Tersmeden said: “The pilots have for several years contributed to the profitability of SAS.
“Wages and working times are worse than at other serious airlines, [but] SAS refuses to discuss market-based pay.”
An SAS spokeswoman said: “The demands of our pilot associations do not contribute to accountability in a very competitive market.”
However, she insisted: “We have a clear expectation that we will reach agreement.”
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