Swiss CEO Vranckx averts pilots’ strike

Switzerland only avoided a grounding at 5.30am on Monday morning. This is a huge success of Swiss boss Dieter Vranckx (49). Thanks to the pragmatic nature of the Belgians, the arguing parties are said to have become even closer at the weekend. The deal with the Aeropers pilots union is the long-awaited compromise in the dispute over a new collective bargaining agreement (GAV) that nearly ended in a strike.

It’s a deal where both sides save their face. Pilots who earn up to 211,000 francs a year towards the end of their careers earn more. Not a 10 percent wage increase as requested, but a 2 percent cost of living adjustment and a 2.3 percent wage increase.

Union President Clemens Kopetz (38) also made several improvements in work-life balance for his people. Most importantly, it concerns the work schedule: Pilots are now informed about their flight plans one week in advance – on the 18th and no longer the 25th. A negotiation success after months of negotiation between the two sides over different and complex work program models.

That’s how pilots think about the deal

Meanwhile, Swiss boss Vranckx still won’t let his pilots dictate strategic planning. So-called wet charter partnerships, where Swiss flights are operated by other airlines, remain unaffected. An app expanded by Lufthansa’s subsidiary within Vranckx – most recently with Air Baltic. Aeropers wanted to limit it, but had to give up at this point.

The deal has not yet been fully made. 1300 pilots will have the final say after Aeropers and Swiss discuss the details. This must be a formality. Initial responses from pilot circles range from “acceptable” to “very good”. Aeropers wants to pass the vote later this year so that the changes take effect on January 1, 2023.

Cabin crew also want improvement

In the end, the cabin crew may emerge as the hidden winner of the months-long feud between the pilots and the Lufthansa subsidiary. The Kapers union is currently in talks with Switzerland. The current GAV is still valid until spring 2024, but may be terminated in April 2023.

The union was now able to follow the climbing stages from the sidelines. The agreement of pilots arouses desires. Switzerland cannot afford a similar dispute in a very short time. It is quite possible that the cabinet association, together with the pragmatic Vranckx, will find a quick solution in their favor at the negotiating table.

One thing is clear: On Monday morning, Vranckx and Swiss averted the global image damage a strike would undoubtedly do. For pilots, the outcome was different. Many people in Switzerland could not understand their complaints. Your reputation has taken a hit over time.