Colleagues,
I assume that most of you have read yesterday’s SPG information.
While we are working on finding a way Forward to secure a place for SAS on the future market, SPG speaks about “war” and “end of peace time” and it seems clear that they are not looking for a solution but simply holding the company hostage in yet another pilot conflict. We all have a shared responsibility for our company’s future.
Choosing conflict rather than contributing to a way forward that can secure both existing as well as new jobs is difficult to understand.
I trust we can all agree that SAS needs to transform the way we organize and do our work in our company to become competitive in the light of the new market reality we all know we need to face. No competitiveness equals no profitability equals no job security.
Please be reminded that during the pandemic SAS has twice before offered SPG to bring back all redundant SK pilots in exchange for changes in working conditions that would ensure SAS competitiveness. Both times SPG has shown no willingness to take responsibility for the interest of all pilots and the company.
During the past weeks a third attempt has been made to reach an agreement but SPG does not seem capable to reach any agreement moving SAS Forward and creating long term stability in our company. This time SPG left the negotiation table after just one meeting despite SAS’ proposal to discuss SPG’s key demands. It is obvious for all by now that SPG sees no responsibility to find a solution and participate in SAS future.
Yesterday the regular K22 negotiations started and after just one day SPG breaks off the two-week negotiationprocess. The demands put forward by SPG representing more than 50% cost increase for pilots in SK represents an act of complete disgracefulness. I can tell you that every single employee in SAS will become shocked and speechless when seeing this behavior.
Please ask yourself, how a labor conflict with devastating customer and financial impact can be an option after two years of pandemic and more than 17 billion in ownership support? The situation is now very serious so please if you are concerned about the survival of our company, I urge you to address your concern to your union representatives.
This is a significant setback for SAS as other unions have expressed that their contributions will be dependent on the solidarity of, and progress with, SPG. Likewise, the concessions from our external partners are dependent on our internal contributions, and without delivering on the 7,5 billion Forward Plan, we cannot attract new investors.
These developments will make it increasingly difficult for SAS to deliver on the Forward Plan and thereby making it difficult – if not impossible – to secure a future for SAS.
I understand that the situation leaves a need for further dialogue. SK Flight Operations and your local base
management will provide you with further information and be available to explain what is required to ensure our company’s future. My door is also always open.
Best regards,
Simon