Despite lengthy negotiations on Thursday, a compromise has not yet been reached. But hopes for an agreement to be reached on Thursday are still alive. At 10.30 pm, the talks are still ongoing.
– We will probably sit as long as there is a reason for it. This is a serious conflict, said the Norwegian mediator Mats Ruland, during a break around 20 o’clock.
Asked if they will negotiate all night, Ruland replied:
– We shall see.
One of the Swedish mediators, Claes Stråth, added that during his almost 30 years as a mediator, no negotiation has been so complicated, with so many questions.
“Mediation has been going on for four and a half weeks, which is also a record,” said Stråth.
Stationary flight
Earlier on Thursday, the Danish aircraft mechanics ended their sympathy strike, something that SAS’s chief negotiator Marianne Hernæs sees as positive.
– All flights have been stationary, in order for them to be able to take off again, the mechanics must make sure that they are ready, she says and points out that this can mean that if the strike is interrupted, you can be ready to start up again faster, she said during a break in the negotiations.
Roger Klokset, who heads the Norwegian pilot union, has previously said that he does not want to comment on whether SAS came up with any new bids on Wednesday, how close a solution is to the parties and how long the negotiations may 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, the strike has caused more than 2,550 canceled flights, which has affected more than 270,000 passengers. So far, the estimated cost of the strike amounts to approximately SEK 100-130 million per day “, the company writes in the press release.