In common front, the Brussels Airlines pilots' unions filed a strike notice of unlimited duration on Friday. This is part of the ongoing dispute between company management and employees that claim that working conditions are unacceptable.
A recent survey among the pilots shows that 90% of respondents are in favour of strike action, claims Didier Lebbe, secretary of the Christian Union. The pilots and staff of Brussels Airlines had already gone on strike in December, to protest against rising work pressure.
However, the action in December was only a 24-hour strike; unless an agreement can be reached between airline management and the unions, this proposed strike could be far more disruptive as it falls during the peak holiday period when the company is making a drive to balance finances after the significant losses incurred during the pandemic.
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According to the three pilots' unions, nothing has been done by Brussels Airlines management to resolve the issues raised and working conditions have not measurably improved.
A similar survey was circulated among cabin crew after the failure of the conciliation meeting last Tuesday. Should the general sentiment of stewards and hostesses also be that working conditions are unsustainable, a strike notice could also be filed. The announcement is expected on Wednesday.
The precise dates of the announced pilot strike are not yet clear; it is likely to be at the end of June or early July.
