Is there still time for an agreement?
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 3rd of August, 2018, the Board of Directors of Croatia Airlines (CA) has called once again on trade unions and all employees to reflect deeply on the significance and the potentially dire consequences of going on strike at this time of year.
Croatia Airlines has officially announced that following a delay, as the strike was initially planned for July, pilots, stewards and aeronautical engineers employed by Croatia Airlines are set to go on strike on August the 8th at 06:00. CA’s management of the has announced the following:
“With regard to the announcement of the strike by the ORCA unions on the 8th of August this year, beginning at 06:00, the duration of which will last until the required demands are met, the Croatia Airlines Board warns most seriously:
– Losses for the company will be up to 800,000 euro per day
– The strike will affect nearly 7,000 passengers on just the very first announced strike day
– The strike would affect more than 150 requested trade union demands, which would represent an increase in wages by more than 30 percent, or around 53 million kuna on a yearly level
To use the month of May as an example, total average net salaries (salaries and daily allowances) paid to Croatia Airlines captains were 40,157.00 kuna, while the highest in this category amounted to 58,717.00 kuna. Co-pilots were paid on average 22,479.00 kuna, with the maximum being 36,872.00 kuna, and cabin staff (stewardesses and stewards) received an average of 11,522.00 kuna, with a maximum of 19,157.00 kuna. Mechanics were paid an average of 9,368.00 kuna, and a maximum of 17,476.00 kuna.
CA’s management claims that statements that salaries ”have not risen” are ungrounded because, with the application of the old collective agreement, wages rise. For example, it has been claimed that just stewardesses alone have already seen their salaries increased four times, the last time apparently having been on July the 1st, just a few days before the original strike was planned.
CA’s management has emphasised that pilots already have a beneficial working life, and those same benefits are currently being considered and explored at the Ministry of Labour and Pensions for cabin staff too.
As stated, the Board of Directors of Croatia Airlines has called on trade unions and all employees once again to deeply reflect on the significance and consequences that will likely be caused by going on strike at this time.
The recently announced half-yearly report of Croatia Airlines confirms the growth of traffic and passengers as well as a welcome reduction in losses when compared to last year. The summer months continue to be successful as they’re months thanks to which Croatia Airlines can ensure regular business throughout the year, and thus the salaries of all company employees are paid.
There are many claims that a strike at this time of year, in the very heart of the tourist season, could ”kill” Croatia Airlines. We will make sure to keep you up to date with any news.
