Failed negotiations, flight attendants and pilots on strike today

The pilots’ and cabin crew unions at Croatia Airlines (CA) will continue their strike today, the third day, as they were unable to reach an agreement with the Management regarding their demands yesterday.

The Croatian Union of Air Traffic Pilots and the Cabin Crew Union are demanding the retention of all rights from the previous collective agreement that expired in March, as their income has been significantly reduced under the new agreement signed with the CA Management by four other unions.

The Management of Croatia Airlines is unwilling to concede to the union demands, claiming that this would jeopardize the restructuring of the company and ensure its viability. The unions, on the other hand, claim that the Management is threatening them with bankruptcy and the sale of aircraft if they do not agree to the new contract.

– Negotiations have continued with the same policy and blackmail. We are being offered to accept what someone has planned, and in case we do not agree, we are threatened with bankruptcy – said the vice president of the pilots’ union, Tomislav Gradišar.

Due to the strike of pilots and flight attendants, which has been ongoing since the day before yesterday morning, the national carrier has canceled 14 flights scheduled for today, while 16 flights will be operated by chartered aircraft from other companies. The company has canceled a total of 46 flights in the first two days of the strike.

Croatia Airlines lost one million kuna yesterday, and the total damage today could exceed two million kuna. In addition to direct damage, which is largely caused by the rental of replacement aircraft, the company is also suffering indirect damage due to the tarnished reputation of the company and a decline in bookings for flights in the upcoming period, as reported by Croatia Airlines spokesperson, Davor Janušić.

However, union representatives emphasize that they cannot bear responsibility for this damage. Croatia Airlines assures that all passengers will be accommodated as most will be transported to their destinations according to the flight schedule, while others will be flown by partner companies’ aircraft.