The board of the pilots' association AEROPERS continues to refuse to continue collective bargaining negotiations with Edelweiss despite a concrete offer
- Edelweiss' offer of a 15% wage increase is not accepted by the AEROPERS board
- The demand of the AEROPERS board would mean an increase in cockpit crew costs by 50%, which is simply unrealistic and commercially unsustainable for Edelweiss
- Edelweiss remains interested in continuing constructive negotiations with the aim of maintaining a sustainable social partnership
After AEROPERS broke off negotiations on a new cockpit collective agreement last Friday, Edelweiss renewed its offer yesterday and submitted concrete implementation proposals that are within its business capabilities. This proposal, too, is not accepted by AEROPERS.
Edelweiss’ offer includes higher wages, higher profit sharing and better individual flexibility
The specific offer still provides for a 15% increase over 4.5 years. This is against the backdrop of Edelweiss already paying all pilots an additional 2% as of January 2023, on a non-contractual and voluntary basis, and a large portion of the losses from the coronavirus period will be credited back to the employees in April 2024.
The offer includes not only a cost-of-living adjustment, which applies retroactively and for the future, but also other improvements, such as a wage increase, higher profit-sharing, and measures to significantly improve the planning of social life. Furthermore, pilots have the opportunity to improve their compensation either through increased productivity or increased flexibility. Edelweiss also offers new, voluntary working time models to further meet individual needs.
Edelweiss already offers competitive compensation and working conditions, as well as an excellent pension plan. Cockpit employees are the only group at Edelweiss to benefit from 26% of pension fund contributions, which are fully paid by the employer.
"AEROPERS' demands are far beyond our business capabilities. The package they are demanding would increase our cockpit costs by approximately 50%. We are open to discussion on all issues, but at the same time we are committed to ensuring Edelweiss' future viability. With the disproportionate increase in cockpit costs, our investment plans for more environmentally friendly aircraft would also no longer be feasible as planned," says David Birrer, Chief Operating Officer of Edelweiss.
Edelweiss acknowledges AEROPERS' position and is ready to resume negotiations at any time with the aim of maintaining a sustainable social partnership.