Union slams Croatia Airlines

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

The Union of Croatian Cabin Crew Members (SKOZ) has criticised Croatia Airlines for what it says are unfair employment practices contrary to the terms of the collective agreement. During a press conference in Zagreb yesterday, SKOZ said that due to demand, some cabin crew members who work at the airline on a seasonal basis have been kept on following the summer season. However, according to SKOZ, crew with less experience who started working at the airline later on are being hired in favour of more experienced and older crew who also work on a seasonal basis. Furthermore, the Union notes that the majority of the newly hired crew are not certified to work on both Airbus and Bombardier aircraft types. It adds that the less experienced crew have the same salary as their older colleagues. "All crew have the same fixed wage. For the same money, the airline could and should have hired people with more experience, knowledge and capabilities", SKOZ says. Furthermore, the Union notes that the Croatian carrier is manipulating labour laws by offering its crew only fixed-term contracts, rather than permanent ones, allowing it to blackmail its employees, especially female staff seeking maternity leave. SKOZ concludes that several flights this year were cancelled due to a lack of cabin crew members who are increasingly getting sick due to the added workload. In July this year, Croatia Airlines' crew member were accused of a silent protest after they declared themselves unfit to fly, denied passengers the right to board the aircraft and returned home with an empty jet. Croatia Airlines has not commented on SKOZ's claims.