“Too bad” – AUAS employees now want higher salaries

New AUA boss Annette Mann is in the induction phase – she won’t speak publicly until after 100 days in the group. This also seems to apply internally, as discussions with employee representatives have apparently not taken place so far. “We’ve wanted to talk for some time about adjusting the crisis package,” explains René Pfister, head of the ground staff works council.

It’s about money again
As a reminder, to save the AUA from the latest crash, extensive austerity measures, including a loss of revenue, were decided in early summer 2020, which will apply until the end of 2023. Pfister: “We have the waiver of the actual salaries between three and 15 percent.” The better you earn, the bigger the cuts. For pilots and flight attendants, this is usually ten percent.

AUA currently employs 5,600 people; 1200 have left the airline since 2019. One of the reasons, in addition to natural departures, was short-time working, which many could not afford because, including benefits, it led to losses of up to 35 percent.

That is now over, because the aircrew has been working regularly since April; the ground team since June 1. “We want the maximum that is economically feasible,” says Pfister. Adjustment is necessary, as the conditions for the collective labor agreement (inflation, etc.) have changed enormously. There is now also a hearing date in June.

52 flights cancelled
During the company meetings on Thursday, staff were informed about the current situation. 52 flights were cancelled. Some 5,200 passengers were affected, who tried to be informed in advance. “The time before Pentecost was a pity and a pity,” says the AUA.