600 francs more wages and better working conditions. Swiss and the Aeropers cabin union reported on Thursday morning that an agreement had been reached in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (GAV). “The new GAV is a huge improvement for our staff. Kapers President Sandrine Nikolic-Fuss (53) says that some of the goals we’ve been chasing for decades can thus be achieved. The most important improvement: Starting salary from 3,400 to 4,000 francs – plus 18 percent!
Not only is the union cheering, Swiss CEO Dieter Vranckx (49) is also pleased with his statement. I am very happy that the last building block has been laid in order to lay a good foundation for the coming years together with all occupational groups.” According to Vranckx, with the new collective bargaining agreement, Swiss wants to take into account the exceptional commitment of the cabin crew over the past few years and “provide the necessary stability and attractive prospects for a successful future in 2023 and beyond”.
better planning
The current GAV would be valid until spring 2024, but could be terminated in April 2023. The new collective bargaining agreement has a term of five years; Kapers members still have to approve the contract by voting. This should be done by the end of February.
In addition to the starting salary, which will be increased from CHF 3,400 to CHF 4,000, wages at all other wage levels will also increase by at least 4 percent. Like pilots, cabin members will get their work schedule a little earlier to better plan their personal lives. In addition, Swiss is introducing new part-time models, including the “Work & Fly model”, which aims to offer students more flexibility. Overall, the new GAV will cost Switzerland about 100 million francs.
Cabin crew troubles
The deal has been long awaited. In the past, Switzerland’s cabin crew has repeatedly publicly complained about low wages and harsh working conditions. A Swiss flight attendant unpacked her belongings and retired early to take a look at the inner workings of the cabin. “I was no longer enjoying my job. The working conditions during the pandemic process eliminated my desire to fly,” he said.
Again and again there were protests. On another occasion, flight attendants sent Blick a letter of protest, reporting burnout after cabin crew reported that they were collectively ill. 300 cabin members were laid off in the wake of the pandemic – just over half returned earlier this year. They now enjoy better working conditions.
Pragmatic Switzerland CEO
For Swiss CEO Dieter Vranckx, the deal with the cabin crew is a success. As he said in a Blick interview in October, his biggest goal was to strike a deal with the cabin by the end of the year, after deals with pilots and ground personnel. “We want to ensure stability for 2023, not only operationally but also internally.”
Even during long negotiations with the pilots, despite the threat of strikes, it was Vranckx who finally got a solution on the table. It was later praised for its pragmatic nature. Vranckx is said to have always been open and willing to compromise in his meetings with the cabin crew. The result is, for the first time in years, a no-nonsense deal.