The new low-cost longhaul airline Norse Atlantic Airways and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have signed a recognition agreement with the goal of securing collective bargaining agreements with the airline’s future cabin crew and pilots in Europe and the US. Both parties commit to seeing an airline that is built on good labour relations and a culture of dialogue.
Both signatories to the agreement understand that today’s aviation industry is born from its past, but that a new deal is needed for aviation if it is to be sustainable in the future.
“Following negotiations with labour unions in the United States and the UK with Norse Atlantic that have led to national agreements, it became clear that an overarching mechanism at global level was strongly desired by all parties,” said ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton.
“The ITF is determined to ensure that commitments made by all parties at the outset are delivered, with this in mind our agreement will set out a compliance mechanism and set a new standard in the aviation industry,” said Cotton.
Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways. said: "I welcome this agreement as my more than thirty years working together with the unions in the maritime industry has proven that dialogue is always beneficial for all parties. At the end of the day, we have a common goal to create a successful and profitable airline to the benefit of all our employees and customers.”
The main commitments in the agreement are an annual consultative council with unions included as equal partners. Recognition of global labour standards as well as commitment to the principles of the Global Compact combined with a unique training program, will ensure effective implementation of the agreement across global operations.
