Finnair’s savings negotiations with SLSY proved unsuccessful

Finnair’s saving negotiation with the Finnish Flight Attendants’ Association (SLSY), which were agreed upon as a part of the national Finnish Employment and Growth Pact on November 15th, 2013, has proven unsuccessful. Savings negotiations with the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) and the Trade Union PRO concerning the technical personnel still continue. Finnair targets more than €30m savings in the personnel costs of these three personnel groups as a part of its wider €200m cost savings program. The deadline for savings negotiations was April 28th, 2014. Finnair was prepared to offer SLSY, IAU and PRO’s members protection for layoffs for the next two years if permanent savings had been achieved in full. SLSY members were also offered protection against further outsourcing for the next two years. Following the unsuccessful negotiation with SLSY, Finnair is now pursuing the targeted savings in the cabin crew costs in the employee consultation negotiations commenced on April 2nd, 2014 and is looking for alternative operating models to lower its costs.