The Finnish Air Line Pilots' Association (SLL) has rejected the latest contract proposal by National Conciliator Anu Sajavaara, her office said via X on Monday.
This was the state mediator’s third settlement bid for a new deal between the pilots and Palta, which represents their employer, national carrier Finnair. The two sides have been haggling over their terms of employment for six months.
According to pilots' union chair Vesa Uuspelto, the settlement proposal was disappointing and included details that were even less acceptable to the pilots than previous proposals. For example, previously negotiated improvements to pensions and earnings had been omitted. Instead, previous savings and efficiency measures had been extended in favour of the employer.
"We are still far apart, but the employer's side seems to be focusing on prolonging the industrial dispute rather than negotiating," Uuspelto said in a union statement on Wednesday.
He expressed regret that the offer did not include any compensation to pilots for their previous voluntary savings measures and several years of nearly zero pay increases.
Ban on shift changes could affect ski holiday travel
The SLL is threatening to tighten pressure on the airline by urging pilots to refuse to change agreed shifts. The ban would come into effect at the beginning of March and last until 15 March. That would make it more difficult for Finnair to arrange pilots to replace those out sick, for example. The ban on changes could lead to flight cancellations during the school winter holiday season, which extends until 9 March for pupils in eastern and northern Finland.
The employer's side was prepared to accept the latest settlement proposal.
The pilots' union said it would continue its indefinite ban on stand-by availability as a form of industrial action. It intends to expand its existing bans on overtime work and shift changes.
Finnair announced last week that it would begin redundancy negotiations for pilots, which could lead to temporary furloughs or permanent dismissals.
The flag carrier, which employs about 1,000 pilots, said that it was difficult to assess how long the labour dispute might drag on and the likelihood of new threats of industrial action.
No date has been set for the next round of mediation.
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