Oslo, Norway: Scandinavian airline SAS is facing the prospect of another cabin crew strike in Norway after union members overwhelmingly rejected a mediated wage settlement, prompting labour organizations to issue fresh strike notices that could disrupt the carrier’s operations from August 8 unless a new agreement is reached.
The latest development follows months of collective bargaining between SAS, represented by employers’ association NHO Luftfart, and Norwegian cabin crew unions over a new wage agreement. After negotiations failed to produce a settlement earlier this year, the dispute was referred to Norway’s National Mediator (Riksmekleren), where the parties reached a proposed agreement during mediation. The recommendation was subsequently sent to union members for ratification. However, the proposed settlement failed to secure sufficient support from cabin crew.
The current dispute centres on pay rather than safety or operational issues, with unions maintaining that cabin crew salaries have not kept pace with wider wage growth despite increasing responsibilities and rising living costs.
Fellesforbundet, one of the unions representing SAS cabin crew in Norway, announced on August 3 that a majority of its members had voted against the mediated agreement in a ballot that concluded on July 30. The union said voter participation exceeded 90%, reflecting strong engagement among members.
As a result, Fellesforbundet has notified employers that 468 cabin crew members will begin strike action at 04:00 local time on Saturday, August 8, unless the parties reach a revised agreement before the deadline. The strike notice includes exemptions for medically necessary air ambulance flights and services operating to and from Longyearbyen in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.
The union argues that SAS cabin crew have fallen behind broader wage growth in Norwegian society in recent years. According to Fellesforbundet, many cabin crew members, particularly those on lower salary scales, have not kept pace with general pay developments despite carrying significant safety, security and customer service responsibilities.
“Cabin crew in SAS have experienced weaker wage growth than employees in society generally,” the union said in its announcement, adding that members had clearly signalled the need for a better financial settlement.
Dag-Einar Sivertsen, Fellesforbundet’s chief negotiator, said the ballot result demonstrated members’ dissatisfaction with the proposed agreement but stressed that there remains an opportunity to avoid industrial action.
“The result is clear, but we still believe there is a possibility of reaching a solution before the strike begins,” Sivertsen said, noting that the union remains prepared to resume negotiations if meaningful progress can be made.
A second union representing SAS cabin crew, Parat, also confirmed that its members rejected the mediated settlement. The union said it could call its members out on strike at short notice should negotiations fail to produce an improved agreement before the planned industrial action begins.
The dual rejection significantly increases pressure on SAS as it seeks to avoid operational disruption during the busy summer travel season.
SAS acknowledged the outcome of the membership votes and expressed disappointment that the mediated proposal had failed to secure union approval.
In comments reported by Norwegian news agency NTB, an SAS spokesperson said the airline was disappointed by the ballot results but would begin preparations for renewed negotiations as quickly as possible in an effort to reach a new agreement before the strike deadline.
While the airline has not yet announced contingency measures or estimated the operational impact, a strike involving hundreds of cabin crew could affect domestic, Scandinavian and international services if negotiations fail.
The dispute also revives a labour conflict that affected SAS less than two years ago. Cabin crew in Norway last went on strike in August 2024, with industrial action lasting four days before an agreement was reached.
For now, negotiations remain the primary avenue for avoiding disruption. Unless the parties reach a revised agreement before 04:00 local time on August 8, Fellesforbundet’s notified strike involving 468 cabin crew members is expected to proceed, while Parat has indicated it is prepared to take similar action.
The coming days are therefore expected to be critical as SAS, employers’ representatives and labour unions attempt to bridge differences and avert another cabin crew strike in Norway.
