Icelandair to lay off cabin crew after collective bargaining fails

Icelandair Group is dismissing its entire cabin crew corps after efforts to reach a new collective bargaining agreement failed.

According to details, the Iceland-based airline has fired all of its flight attendants, as the company will instead try to find “another party in the Icelandic labor market” to replace current employees.

“Although the negotiations were continued after the results of the voting were announced, it has now become evident that a mutually agreed conclusion will not be reached,” says the company.

Icelandair has been negotiating with the Icelandic Cabin Crew Association (FFI) on a new long-term collective-bargaining agreement for the company’s cabin crew members. The objective has been to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the Company while safeguarding the  competitive compensation and working conditions of the Company’s cabin crew members.

On 8 July, the members of the Icelandic Cabin Crew Association, rejected a new collective-bargaining agreement which had been agreed to and signed between the parties’ negotiation committees.

Icelandair has been exploring other options regarding safety and service onboard its aircraft. As a result, the Company will instruct its pilots to assume responsibility for safety on board  but services will continue to be at a minimum, as it has since the impact of COVID-19 started. The Company expects to initiate discussions with a counterparty within the Icelandic labor market on future terms for the Company’s cabin crew members.

Due to this unfortunate situation, Icelandair will permanently terminate the employment of its current cabin crew members and permanently discontinue the employment relationship between the parties. The Company’s pilots will temporarily take over responsibility for onboard safety on 20 July.

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