Passengers at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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Finnair pilots have reached a long-awaited agreement with the airline, ending a months-long period without a valid labour contract. The deal was confirmed on Sunday between the Finnish Pilots’ Association (SLL) and the Service Sector Employers’ Association Palta, which represents Finnair in labour negotiations.
The agreement spans three years, with the final year marked as optional. The deal still requires formal approval by the executive boards of both parties. It follows a broadly similar pattern to other labour agreements recently signed in Finland.
“This is refreshing news for both Finnair and Finnish air passengers, especially as the summer holiday season is beginning,” said Pasi Vuorio, director of negotiations at Palta.
Finnair pilots had been without a contract since October. Talks began last August and continued through several deadlocks before reaching a resolution.
“I am very pleased that we have reached a result after lengthy negotiations,” said Kaisa Aalto-Luoto, Finnair’s Chief People Officer. “Finnair pilots are a group of top professionals vital for our hundred-year history.”
The outcome brings stability to one of Finnair’s critical staff groups just as passenger traffic increases for the summer. However, separate talks involving ground services staff remain unresolved.
The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU), which represents ground employees, has held multiple strikes since late 2023. Those actions have forced Finnair to cancel flights and adjust its operations repeatedly.
No agreement has yet been reached in that dispute, and mediation is scheduled to resume on Monday. The IAU has already announced further industrial action, including strikes planned for 11, 17 and 19 June.
Finnair continues to face uncertainty in its airport operations, even as the pilot agreement removes one of the immediate risks of disruption.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
