Airline under fire after employee terminations

The European and the International Transport Workers’ Federations have pledged their support for two recently dismissed Atlantic Airways flight attendants.

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The two federations are lashing out at the Faroese national airline for its “undemocratic and primitive ways of avoiding contract talks with cabin crew” after the Atlantic Airways management last week dismissed two leading representatives of the flight attendants’ union, Súlan.

The dismissals come in the wake of the Atlantic Airways flight attendants’ decision in September to set up their own union as a sub-branch of the Danish FPU, Flyvebranchens Personale Union (Airline Personnel Union).

Impasse in contract talks

The FPU has since then been pushing for a new contract with the Atlantic Airways, but the airline and its affiliated trade union, the Faroese Salaried Staff Union, refuse to negotiate with unions outside of the Faroes.

In a press release on Monday, Atlantic Airways CEO Jóhanna á Bergi insisted that the dismissals of the two stewardesses were in no way related to their trade union roles. The press release said there were “compelling reasons” for the dismissals, without adding further details.

 >> SEE ALSO Flight attendants establish own trade union

FPU chairman Frank Moreels has told aviation news website Luftfart.nu that Atlantic Airways needs respect human rights if it wants to be taken seriously abroad, adding that any staff member is free to choose which trade union they want to be part of. 

Monday’s press release from Atlantic Airways adds that the company’s flight attendants are bound by a contract with the Faroese Salaried Staff Union, which is valid until 1 November.

Translated by prosa.fo