Brussels Airlines cabin crew threaten strike

Cabin crew at Brussels Airlines are threatening a strike and other actions in the coming weeks, according to the CNE trade union.

After pilots for Brussels Airlines recently requested a mediator to intervene in their dialogue with management, now part of the cabin crew is similarly looking for a way to improve work conditions that they say have only deteriorated further since the pandemic first rocked the industry.

Any actions could lead to “serious disruption”, said CNE president Didier Lebbe. According to Lebbe, flight attendants are irritated and feel abandoned because there has been no progress in the talks on schedules and wages, among other issues.

A strike notice had already been submitted in November. In December, one was narrowly avoided.

Lebbe said it was unfortunate that Brussels Airlines did not take advantage of the calmer winter months to resolve social problems at the airline and warned of a potential “summer of unrest”.

Other unions are also hearing that social dialogue is not progressing among cabin crew, pilots or ground staff.

There was a 24-hour strike among pilots in mid-January and two out of three flights had to be cancelled as a result. Some 10 days later, technicians in the maintenance department of Brussels Airlines stopped work in protest against their own conditions.

“This summer promises to be very turbulent from a social point of view,” Lebbe warns.

The airline’s management said it was available for consultation and remains hopeful that an agreement will emerge in which all parties can agree.