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STRIKES

Austrian Airlines reaches wages deal with workers to avoid new strikes

After several rounds of negotiations - and strikes - Austrian Airlines and cabin crew have reached a deal on wages and benefits, contractually avoiding strikes until at least 2026.

Published: 26 April 2024 09:21 CEST
Austrian Airlines reaches wages deal with workers to avoid new strikes
An Austrian Airlines plane (Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash)

Austrian Airlines (AUA) has successfully concluded negotiations with its labour unions, securing a new collective labour agreement that is set to provide long-term stability until the end of 2026, as reported by Austrian media. 

According to AUA statements, this agreement not only prevents potential service disruptions but also provides a sense of stability and reliability for both employees and passengers, ensuring a smooth and worry-free travel experience.

Following over 20 rounds of negotiations, the deal encompasses approximately 3,500 pilots and flight attendants. It brings about a significant pay increase, with average salaries projected to rise 19.4 percent in stages by the end of 2026. Moreover, a performance-based bonus of up to 2 percent could be awarded in 2026, marking a substantial improvement in the employees’ remuneration.

“This negotiated solution means a significant salary increase above the inflation rate for AUA cabin crew,” said Daniel Liebhart, Chairman of the Vida trade union Aviation Section.

BACKGROUND: Austrian Airlines strikes – Are the two sides any closer to a deal?

Beyond addressing compensation concerns, the agreement tackles workload issues, reducing workload and strengthening protections for pilots who may lose their ability to fly due to unforeseen medical conditions.

“The three-year term fulfils a requirement of the employer and not only guarantees planning security for the company but also ensures high-quality and reliable flight operations for passengers. This means that travellers can book their tickets with Austrian Airlines in the coming years without any worries,” said Liebhart.

Contract guarantees no strikes

To guarantee operational stability for passengers, the agreement incorporates a “peace obligation,” prohibiting strikes for the duration of the contract – until 2026. This is particularly welcome news for travellers who experienced flight cancellations during previous labour disputes.

“The newly established peace obligation allows our passengers to book their flights with confidence,” expressed AUA’s Executive Board, highlighting their satisfaction with the negotiated terms.

READ ALSO: What direct flights can I get from Austria’s regional airports?

The agreement is subject to a favourable vote by the Vida trade union, AUA explained in the press release. Unlike last time, however, the works council and union are recommending that their members vote in favour this time, the union said, according to a Der Standard report.

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EES PASSPORT CHECKS

EES border checks could undergo ‘soft launch’, UK says as app concerns mount

The UK government is preparing for a "soft launch" of the new EU border system – the Entry/Exit (EES) system - in October but authorities are still waiting for European Commission to confirm the start date, amid concerns over the delay of a new app.

Published: 4 May 2024 09:30 CEST
EES border checks could undergo 'soft launch', UK says as app concerns mount

The government is working on the assumption that the system will go live on October 6th, ministers told a hearing at the House of Commons European scrutiny committee this week.

But the European Commission is expected to confirm the exact launch date of the new biometric checks for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area at some point this summer, they added.

“We are very much working on a basis whereby this policy will go live on the 6th of October. It is important that we plan for that eventuality. We are expecting to hear definitively from the European Union that ‘go live’ arrangement in the summer,” Tom Pursglove, UK Minister for Legal Migration and the Border told the committee.

The parliamentary committee is conducting an inquiry on the disruptions the system will cause in the UK.

Pursglove also said that “precautionary measures” have been agreed by the EU, that will be put in place in certain circumstances after the start of EES, for example if delays at the borders exceeded a certain length of time.

Guy Opperman, Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, said that in practice this meant a “soft launch” of EES for 6 months before “a full go live”. During that soft launch EU member states and the UK could deploy flexibility measures should problems occur.

“The likelihood is, after multiple delays, that the 6th of October will proceed” and the implementation looks “very different” compared to previous scenarios considering the flexibility allowed in the first 6 months, he argued.

No details were given on what these “flexible” measures would involve however. 

READ ALSO: Your questions answered about Europe’s EES passport checks

He conceded that “a lot of work” still needs to be done but the UK “should be as ready as everybody” and “better be at front of the queue”.

App not ready

During the meeting, it also emerged that a much-anticipated app that would allow remote pre-registration of non-EU citizens subject to the checks will not be available for testing until August “at best”, prompting concerns about the EES launch date.

“You don’t need to be a sceptic about future projects to think that the provision of the app in August for going live in October is optimistic,” Opperman said.

Ministers confirmed that the app will not be ready in time for October and the committee previously stated it might be delayed until summer 2025.

The app will facilitate pre-registration, but photo and fingerprints will still have to be taken at the border in front of a guard, the committee heard.

READ ALSO: How do the EU’s new EES passport checks affect the 90-day rule?

Several MPs asked whether the entry into operation of the EES should be delayed again if technology is not ready. But Under-Secretary Opperman said the app “is not going to be a panacea to fix all problems”.

The main aim of EES is to increase security and to ensure that non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for a short-term do not stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

The entry into operation of the system has already been delayed several times and there have been calls from certain travel companies and national authorities to delay it again.

Under the new scheme, non-EU/EFTA travellers who do not need a visa will have to register their biometric data (finger prints and facial images) in a database that will also record each time they enter and exit the Schengen area.

Instead of having passports manually stamped, travellers will have to scan them at self-service kiosks before crossing the border. However, fingerprints and a photo will have to be registered in front of a guard at the first crossing and there are concerns the extra time needed will generate long queues, especially in Dover, Folkestone and St. Pancras station in London, where there are juxtaposed French and UK border checks.

Progress in preparations

Minister Pursglove also updated MPs on ongoing preparations. He said some testing of the system will take place within days, 5 kiosks have been installed at St. Pancras station and are available for testing. “You are beginning to see the physical infrastructure appear,” he said.

Kiosks and extra lanes are also being created at the port Dover and it was agreed with the EU passengers travelling by coach will be checked away from the Eastern dock, where controls usually take place, allowing to gain space. The vehicles will then sealed and drive on the ferries.

MPs also discussed the infrastructure cost linked to the introduction of the EES. Opperman said all EU countries will have to make “huge investments” in their ports. In the UK, he argued, this will help “address problems that have existed for some time”. Because of this “massive investment”, in a few years time “Dover will be totally transformed,” he said.

This article is published in cooperation with Europe Street News.

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