Despite assertions partner carriers would take up their slack in the even of a general strike, Croatia Airlines cancelled 22 flights on account of aircrew and pilots walking out. Today is the second day of a strike versus the airline over layoffs and pay cuts strikers say they cannot overcome.
The walkout that began early Tuesday morning is ongoing as management and the unions have failed to come to any agreement on contracts that expired in March. Come of the cancelled flights affect Brussels, Munich, Vienna and Zurich. Some other flights will be undertaken by other carriers in the region but it seems clear employees have no intention of knuckling under at this point.
While the state owned airline contends staffing and wage cuts are a necessary part of the beleaguered airline’s restructuring, striking employees say the pay cuts and dismissals of 200 employees are excessive. Some of the pay reductions are reported to be as high as 40%, but management of the airline says without the reductions the airline will go bankrupt. Last week AsiaOne reported the airline threatening to fire over 40 staff who apparently took sick leave in the same period.
Croatia joins the EU on July 1st, but the state’s airline going under does not announce the country’s ascension into the brethren of European states well. Stranding ticket holders is just no way to take flight. We will keep you updated.