Crossair threatens job cuts in continuing battle with pilots

Crossair says as many as 300 jobs could go swissinfo.ch

The Swiss regional carrier, Crossair, is threatening to cut up to 300 jobs and reduce services on many routes.

The carrier, part of the SAirGroup, said it was considering the move because of the airline’s continuing financial problems, and the refusal of most of its pilots to accept a new collective working agreement.

The deal, agreed after long and often acrimonious negotiations with the pilots’ union, was turned down last week by the pilots themselves.

Crossair deputy director, André Dosé, said the cuts might be needed to save the company. He said the airline intends “to save tens of millions of francs. But we are not trying to punish the pilots’ union. We are only trying to help the company survive.”

Crossair stressed that it intends to continue negotiating with the pilots’ union, but said no further concessions would be made.

The airline is proposing cutting services on some loss-making routes, and getting rid of several aircraft. The company estimates that if all the proposals are implemented, 200 to 300 jobs would be gone by next spring.

It is promising a decision within the next few weeks.

Crossair lost over SFr6 million ($3.35 million) during the first six months of the year. The new collective working agreement, rejected by the pilots’ union last Friday, would have cost the airline SFr30 to SFr40 million more in salaries.

swissinfo with agencies