Swiss International Air Lines reaches agreement with pilot union and avoids strike

Swiss International Air Lines reached an agreement with Aeropers, the union representing its pilots. The air carrier announced on October 24, 2022, that the last two days of negotiations with the pilot association resulted in a new collective labour agreement (CLA) for SWISS’s cockpit personnel.

“This is a substantial success for everyone involved which will restore the usual industrial calm for both our company and our customers,” SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx commented in a press release. “And I’m convinced that this new CLA will provide both a sound foundation for our pilots’ futures and the stability that is so vital to SWISS.”

For over 12 months, SWISS management and the union have been negotiating a new CLA, with pilots demanding improvements in terms of wages and work-life balance. The previous CLA expired on April 1, 2022.

Six months later, 94% of pilots represented by Aeropers agreed to strike on October 17, 2022. However, the industrial action was eventually postponed for an ultimate round of talks, which proved successful.

“We have always emphasized that we want to reach a solution at the negotiating table,” said Clemens Kopetz, President of Aeropers, in a statement. “We are satisfied that we have been able to make progress in reconciling family and work and in planning social life.”

A week earlier, SWISS also agreed with its ground workers on annual salary adjustments for 2023. The airline still needs to agree with a CLA with cabin crew members.

“I am confident that we will reach an agreement here, too, by the end of November,” Vranckx concluded.