SAS strike threat looms
It might not be so easy to get home for the holidays, given the threat of another strike among workers at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).
SAS' unions are unhappy over possible job cuts at the airline company, and reportedly are threatening a strike that would disrupt all flight operations in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
The unions are keen on protecting 10,000 jobs, but are otherwise reluctant to discuss their plans.
The threat of a strike was reportedly due to be addressed at an SAS board meeting on Monday. The Swedish online news service for business newspaper Dagens Industri cited an unnamed source who said the board may end up postponing a decision on workforce reductions.
"A major strike throughout Scandinavia would cost SAS about SEK 100 million a day, and create huge problems for the company's customers," the source told di.se. "The thought of passengers (suffering) during the Christmas and New Year's weekend means SAS' board will put off a decision."
The head of SAS’ flight attendants' union in Denmark wouldn't comment on questions from business news service E24 (in Norwegian).
SAS has been planning to phase out three subsidiaries: SAS Ground Services, SAS Technical Services and parts of SAS Cargo. SAS has been trying to re-focus on its own core airline businesses and already has sold stakes in Spanair. Stakes in British Midland and Air Greenland may also be sold.
New SAS chief Mats Jansson has been trying to spur a "cultural revolution" within SAS, which has a long history of labour trouble. Jansson is emphasizing cooperation between the unions and management, with both sides putting the customer first, but his efforts now apparently are being put to the test.
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund
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