The B-United pilot union at Brussels Airlines (SN, Brussels National) has proposed to voluntarily cut the salaries of its members by 45% and "significantly" reduce their working hours if the airline retains their job positions.
The union said in an open letter seen by the Belga news agency that its proposal would save the airline EUR100 million euros (USD109.1 million) through 2023 when the agreement is set to expire. In addition, B-United said that such savings would allow Brussels Airlines to avoid a reduction in headcount and a corresponding EUR22 million (USD24 million) in severance payments.
The offer is a response to the airline's plan to eliminate up to 1,000 positions, including 191 pilots. B-United claimed its proposal would be a win-win situation wherein the airline would achieve its planned savings while pilots and cabin crew would not lose their jobs.
Meanwhile, fellow Lufthansa Group unit Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna) said it reached an agreement with cabin crew and ground staff over pay cuts extending to 2024. On top of previously agreed salary cuts through 2022, the ground staff agreed to cuts of 2-15% until the end of 2023. Cabin crew will see their salaries slashed by between 5.9 and 12.7% until 2024.
The airline expects the across-the-board wage cuts to save it EUR80 million (USD87.3 million) in annual salary expenses by 2024.
However, Austrian's cabin crew and ground staff have yet to vote on the agreements.
