SAS Faces Potential Strike in Norway as Cabin Crew Reject Wage Deal

Scandinavian airline SAS faces a potential work stoppage in Norway after cabin crew members rejected a proposed wage settlement, with a strike planned to begin on August 8 if a new deal is not reached.

Unions Reject Proposed Settlement

The Fellesforbundet labor union announced Monday that a majority of its members voted against the tentative wage agreement. As a result, 468 employees are preparing to walk off the job, the union stated. A second union, Parat, also confirmed its members had turned down the settlement and could launch a strike at short notice.

According to Fellesforbundet, the core issue is that wages for SAS cabin crew in Norway have not kept pace with pay growth in the broader economy. The potential industrial action highlights ongoing labor tensions within the airline industry as it navigates post-pandemic recovery and economic pressures.

Path to Resolution

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Despite the strike notice, a work stoppage is not yet certain. Dag-Einar Sivertsen, head of negotiations for Fellesforbundet, said there is still a possibility the strike could be prevented through further talks.

In a statement to Norwegian news agency NTB, an SAS spokesperson expressed disappointment with the vote's outcome. The airline confirmed it is prepared to resume negotiations as soon as possible to find a resolution and avert disruptions to its flight schedule.

Context of Labor Relations

This is not the first instance of industrial action by this employee group. The airline’s Norwegian cabin crew last went on strike in August 2024, a work stoppage that lasted for four days. This precedent gives investors and travelers a potential framework for the impact of the currently threatened strike if negotiations fail.