Crossair and Swissair pilots’ dispute deepens
The rift between Crossair and Swissair pilots has deepened following a report released last Thursday by the Swissair pilots' association, Aeropers.
Crossair pilots expressed their anger at the report through their union, Crossair Cockpit Personnel (CCP). They said the report was “presumptuous” and “arrogant”.
Crossair management held talks with Aeropers and CCP on Monday evening in Basel but declined to give details of the discussions. A further meeting has been scheduled for January 16.
High quality brand
The Aeropers report outlines the views of Swissair pilots on the strategy of the future Swiss national carrier, following the collapse of Swissair last year. It expresses their desire to do away with the Crossair name, to position the new airline as a high quality brand with a price tag to match and to use the former Swissair safety regime as the security blueprint for the new airline.
CCP dismissed the report saying it was “meddling” in the strategic direction and organisation of Crossair.
It spoke out most vehemently against the Swissair pilots’ criticisms of Crossair’s safety record. It said the Swissair pilots were “shamelessly” using the tragic events of November 25, when a Crossair jet crashed outside Zurich airport killing 24 people, to their own ends. It said such behaviour was “unethical” and reprehensible”.
Two-tier salary system
CCP was also angered by a potential two-tier salary system whereby Swissair pilots could be paid more and enjoy better packages than Crossair pilots in the new airline.
Before the collapse of Swissair, there was a substantial difference between the salaries of Crossair pilots and those of their Swissair counterparts.
For its part, CCP called upon their Swissair colleagues to work with them, rather than against them, to ensure the successful integration of Swissair into the new national carrier.
The merging of Crossair and Swissair’s work forces forms a central part of the so-called “Phoenix Plus” rescue package to create a new Swiss airline from the fallen carrier, Swissair.
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