Negotiations between SAS and the pilots have been paused for the night and will resume on Friday morning, the pilots' union's communications officer Rebecca Rosenvinge told TT at 1 a.m.
In total, the parties negotiated for over 15 hours on Thursday – which continued into the night of Friday – without reaching any agreement. But at 1 a.m., the announcement came that SAS and the pilot union would take a break and meet again on Friday morning.
”"There are a number of issues that need to be resolved," Norwegian mediator Mats Ruland told NRK just before 1 a.m.
However, he emphasizes that the parties are "closer than ever.".
”There have been movements today,” he says.
In contrast, SAS's negotiation leader Marianne Hernæs says that the negotiations have gone a bit back and forth - and now rather more backwards.
”"These are complex issues. It is difficult to find agreement on the important points for both parties," she tells TT's photographer and the media on site during the night.
”"We were worn out, we were tired and so we decided that the best thing to do is go home and get some sleep," she adds, saying that negotiations will resume at 10 a.m.
Earlier in the evening, the mediators described the negotiations as ”very complicated.”.
”"I have been involved in mediation for almost 30 years. There has never been a mediation or negotiation that has been so complicated, with so many questions," said Swedish mediator Claes Stråth.
The conflict at SAS spans three countries with different rules and conditions, and also involves four different unions.
The mediation has been going on for four and a half weeks, also a record, Stråth points out.
Earlier on Thursday
Roger Klokset, who leads the Norwegian pilots' union, has previously said that he does not want to comment on whether SAS made any new offers on Wednesday, how close the parties are to a solution and how long the negotiations might take.
In a press release on Thursday morning, SAS pointed out that the strike had already significantly affected the company's liquidity.
”"As of today's date, the strike has caused over 2,550 flight cancellations, affecting over 270,000 passengers. So far, the estimated cost of the strike is approximately SEK 100-130 million per day," the company writes in the press release.
The company also highlights that it may be forced to consider forced asset sales if the strike continues.
It is then about According to the airline, it may be forced to scale down its aircraft fleet, among other things.
”"We must reach an agreement and end the strike as soon as possible. The strike puts the implementation of the Chapter 11 process, and ultimately the company's survival, at risk," says Anko van der Werff, President and CEO, in the press release.
Last week, SAS announced that the company has filed for so-called Chapter 11 proceedings in the US, which means that the company will be reconstructed, and that talks are underway with potential investors.
The Danish flight mechanics ended their sympathy strike today, something that SAS's negotiation leader Marianne Hernæs sees as positive.
”"All the flights have been grounded, so in order for them to take off again, the mechanics have to make sure they are ready," she says, pointing out that this could mean that if the strike is called off, they can be ready to take off again more quickly.
Source: TT-DI.SE
