Cabin crew union saves “swiss” salaries
The cabin crew union of the new national airline "swiss" has secured personnel salaries at levels that prevailed before last year's Swissair collapse.
Kapers, the cabin crew union of Switzerland’s new airline, swiss, and Crossair finally agreed on a contract after marathon talks that lasted five days and four nights. The union had been fighting for months to safeguard salaries after the financial ruin of Swissair last October.
Kapers said the accord was a “historic milestone” in the creation of swiss. Cabin personnel agreed to keep salaries between SFr3,450 and SFr 7,780 per month while curtailing their holiday allowance.
The new contract will apply to both Swissair and Crossair cabin personnel, stressed Swiss executive, Björn Näf. Swissair staff strongly opposed any pay cuts to fall in line with regional carrier, Crossair, which has taken over the bulk of Swissair’s operations.
Union to deliberate
Kapers said it hopes the union rank and file will welcome the accord with Crossair. The union is set to discuss the agreement next week, once the details are clarified, and hopes to reach an accord by March 27, ahead of the April 1launch of Swiss.
The crew would be allowed three days’ less leave per month; however, they would have at least 28 days off per year. Under the new contract, the cabin crew would be paid less in the way of expenses and they will not be indemnified for their overtime.
The crew is also set to receive lower commissions on in-flight sales in a bid to cut salary costs by 10 per cent.
Kapers said the contract improved conditions for Crossair flight attendants who were paid less than their Swissair counterparts, particularly with regard to their career prospects and training.
Some 4,500 people are set to be affected by the new arrangement.
Negotiations are ongoing with Swiss pilots and ground staff to formulate a new collective contract.
swissinfo with agencies
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