Finnair pilots on strike as of this morning

[Finn47]

After negotiating for over a year in vain to get a new contract, some 800 Finnair pilots are now on strike since midnight. Management wants more say in outsourcing, specifically to be able to hire other companies´ pilots to fly Embraer jets on feeder routes. Pilots are willing to cut wages and pension benefits but

SLL President Kristian Rantala notes that the union has agreed to cost-cutting measures, including cuts in pay, a higher retirement age, and reduced benefits, but it is drawing the line at letting outside pilots onto its flight decks.

http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Pilots ... 5250800744

At present there are no negotiations scheduled so how long it´s going to be that there is a settlement is anybody´s guess. This disagreement between the parties has been brewing for a long time and it looks like it´s going to be a bitter battle. Whatever the end result, both parties and the travelling public are bound to lose. If you believe the airline management, the company loses up to 5 million Euro a day because of this strike but that doesn´t seem to matter much to them...

[yycflyguy]

Not exactly the most strategic time of year to walk out. Most airline labour disputes are resolved quickly but their management will be in no hurry until the Christmas rush picks up.

[Finn47]

The start of the strike coincides with the start of the outsourcing: Finncomm Airlines, a private operator, now flies this E170 which is owned by Finnair (pic taken today):

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6711422

[loopa]

What are they complaining about. They're living in scandinavia, have hot women, get paid well, and get to watch hockey in real winter weather.

Pffft

[Finn47]

Well, as of this morning, the strike is over and traffic returning to normal. A 5 % reduction in pay and some outsourcing approved but outsourced Finnair aircraft may not be used as a Finnair op on Finnair routes so Finnair fights will only have Finnair pilots who belong to their union. No layoffs for 1 year. That´s the main points in a new 2 year collective agreement. Turned out OK for the pilots, I think.

[F-16]

Are you off your rocker?

Any pay cuts and/or outsourcing no matter how small is not a positive result.

I had hopes for the Finnair pilots - you don't go on strike to lose...

[Jastapilot]

You've never heard of compromise, then?

[F-16]

Not when it results in pilots taking pay cuts and continuing to subsidize the airfares for the travelling public.

This tailspin has to stop.

[Jastapilot]

I've always had the attitude that if both sides aren't completely happy with the outcome, it's a decent contract. But hey, I've also always believed that a healthy company keeps me employed longer too; but that probably makes me a whore or something I guess.

[Finn47]

Most if not all network carriers in Europe are losing money, Finnair included and all other employee groups already made huge sacrifices, including layoffs. Against that background, a small pay cut really isn´t the end of the world. Increased job security is worth it.

[Jastapilot]

A guy who 'gets it'. Thanks Finn.

[yycflyguy]

Not when it results in pilots taking pay cuts and continuing to subsidize the airfares for the travelling public.

This tailspin has to stop.

+1

Piss poor money management on the company's part does not make an emergency on the pilots part. Find other areas to cut the fat... like operational.

[CanadianEh]

Most if not all network carriers in Europe are losing money, Finnair included and all other employee groups already made huge sacrifices, including layoffs. Against that background, a small pay cut really isn´t the end of the world. Increased job security is worth it.

How much is your CEO making? If he has the rake out while you guys are the ones taking the pay cut, I would think twice of the success of this strike.

[Finn47]

Myself, I´m just an outside observer but with a keen interest... Anyway, since you asked: personal tax records in Finland are officially published in the media once every year, so the CEO´s exact salary figures are known. He made slightly less than 1.1 million euro in 2008...

[CanadianEh]

Myself, I´m just an outside observer but with a keen interest... Anyway, since you asked: personal tax records in Finland are officially published in the media once every year, so the CEO´s exact salary figures are known. He made slightly less than 1.1 million euro in 2008...

.... and the Pilots who actually fly the planes that pay his salary as the ones who take the pay cut. Right.

[AMM]

Myself, I´m just an outside observer but with a keen interest... Anyway, since you asked: personal tax records in Finland are officially published in the media once every year, so the CEO´s exact salary figures are known. He made slightly less than 1.1 million euro in 2008...

.... and the Pilots who actually fly the planes that pay his salary as the ones who take the pay cut. Right.

Which rock have you been living under?

or

Hows was the stasis?

[CanadianEh]

Myself, I´m just an outside observer but with a keen interest... Anyway, since you asked: personal tax records in Finland are officially published in the media once every year, so the CEO´s exact salary figures are known. He made slightly less than 1.1 million euro in 2008...

.... and the Pilots who actually fly the planes that pay his salary as the ones who take the pay cut. Right.

Which rock have you been living under?

or

Hows was the stasis?

I know this has been a problem for a long time, but I just wanted to make it stupidly clear that I think it's absurd.