Over 700 cabin crew members represented by Fellesforbundet and Parat will go on strike starting Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 AM, after voting down a recommended collective wage agreement in a membership ballot. SAS and NHO Luftfart have expressed disappointment over the outcome, while negotiations and upcoming meetings mediated by Riksmekleren are scheduled to find a resolution before the strike takes effect.
Background on the SAS Cabin Crew Wage Dispute
The conflict stems from a membership ballot where SAS cabin crew members voted down an officially recommended proposal for a new collective tariff agreement. According to Fellesforbundet, more than 90 percent of members cast a vote in the uravstemning, which concluded on July 30. The union stated that SAS cabin crew members have fallen behind in general wage development, noting that employees with low seniority earn relatively little compared to their workload and critical onboard responsibilities.
Earlier in the summer, NHO Luftfart and SAS reached an initial agreement on new wage and employment terms after overcoming a potential strike threat through late-night negotiations mediated by Riksmekleren. However, that mediated framework required final approval from union members through the ballot, which ultimately resulted in a clear rejection of the proposed terms.
Planned Strike Action and Exemptions
Following the failed ballot, Fellesforbundet and Parat issued notices of resignation from work. Fellesforbundet’s notice covers nearly 500 individuals, while Martinus Røkkum, leader of the SAS Norge cabin association in Parat, confirmed that all of their members—around 260 cabin staff—will join the stoppage starting at the beginning of their shifts on Saturday morning.
Despite the looming widespread disruption, critical operations remain protected. Medical evacuation flights (Medevac) as well as all flight operations to and from Longyearbyen on Svalbard are completely exempt from the strike action.
Did You Know? More than 90 percent of eligible union members participated in the ballot that concluded on July 30, reflecting high engagement in the membership democracy that ultimately rejected the negotiated settlement.
Stakeholder Reactions and Upcoming Mediation
Union leaders and industry representatives have reacted swiftly to the ballot results while preparing for renewed talks. Dag-Einar Sivertsen, negotiating leader for Fellesforbundet, emphasized respect for the democratic process, confirming that he has already been in contact with Riksmekleren and NHO Luftfart. Sivertsen is cutting short his vacation to manage the situation from the union’s main office in Oslo and noted that telephone lines remain open around the clock ahead of the Saturday deadline.
Erik Lahnstein, leader of NHO Luftfart, expressed surprise at the outcome given that the proposed terms were the result of a thorough joint mediation process. Nevertheless, Lahnstein confirmed that the organization is ready to restart negotiations and noted that most historical mediation processes ultimately conclude with agreements rather than strikes. Meanwhile, SAS Communications Chief Øystein Schmidt stated via email that the airline views the result as balanced and responsible, but respects union democracy and intends to engage constructively with both unions and Riksmekleren to protect passenger predictability.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the SAS cabin crew strike begin?
The strike is scheduled to begin on Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 AM.
How many cabin employees are participating in the strike?
In total, over 700 cabin employees organized by Fellesforbundet and Parat are slated to take part in the stoppage.
Are any flights exempt from the labor action?
Yes, medical evacuation flights (Medevac) and flights operating to and from Longyearbyen on Svalbard are completely exempt from the strike.
How will these upcoming negotiations impact your travel plans for the weekend?
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