Strike averted as Brussels Airlines’ pilots and management reach agreement
A 4-day strike by pilots at Brussels Airlines that was due to have taken place from 27 to 30 March has been averted. Early on Sunday evening Brussels Airlines confirmed that talks between management and pilots had reached a successful conclusion.
The statement read that “Brussels Airlines is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the pilots' unions regarding pilots' remuneration. The agreement was signed today. Details of the agreement will be communicated to the pilots in the coming days". Brussels Airlines added that "The agreement takes into account our current financial situation and focuses primarily on improving gross pay."
Negotiations between management and the unions focused on pilots' pay and conditions of employment. Brussels Airlines’ pilots (and other staff) had made major financial efforts during the coronavirus crisis to help keep the company afloat. The pilots were demanding a pay increase as the airline is now back in the black.
The negotiations had stalled over Brussels Airlines' management's demand that any increase in pilots' salaries be linked to a reduction in the number of rest days. The pilots called a strike that had been due to start on Wednesday 27 March and end on Saturday 30 March.
"Give and take on both sides"
According to Brussels Airlines, the agreement will increase pilots’ purchasing power, while at the same time taking into account the airline’s current financial position. The agreement centres around a revision of the pilots' gross salary pay scale in two stages. One increase will be implemented this year with a second increase in the pilots’ gross salaries planned for 2026.
Olivier Van Camp of the socialist white-collar union BBTK told journalists that an agreement has been reached regarding the financial aspects of the pilots’ grievances. "A working party has now been set up to look at working hours and rest periods”.
This position is echoed by Tim Roelandt of the liberal union ACLVB.
A fortnight ago, Brussels Airlines reached an agreement on pay with the unions that represent its cabin crew.