Pilots, employers meet mediator as SAS cancels

Despite resuming mediated talks with strikingpilots, Scandinavian airlines SAS has cancelled 280 flights onThursday - a move that will affect about 20,000 passengers.The cancellations affect flights departing prior to 2 pm (1200 GMT)on Thursday, SAS said. Shortly before SAS announced the latest wave of cancellations,Norway's national mediator met SAS pilot unions representing almost1,500 pilots in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and employerorganizations.  SAS hopes that, with the help of a national mediator, a solution tothe dispute will be found as soon as possible, SAS Norway spokesmanKnut Morten Johansen told Norwegian broadcaster TV 2.The labour action, ongoing since Friday, has resulted in more than3,300 cancellations and affected about 327,000 passengers."I always believe there is a solution, but it is challenging," MatsWilhelm Ruland, Norway's national mediator, said shortly before thetalks opened Wednesday, news agency NTB reported.Representatives from the SAS pilot unions representing almost 1,500pilots in Denmark, Norway and Sweden were present in Oslo, along withemployer organizations. SAS pilots want compensation for wage cuts and other concessions theymade in 2012 when the company was in financial dire straits. Morepredictable work schedules were another demand from the unions. Flights in the Nordic region and those to European and long-hauldestinations were disrupted.SAS advised passengers to check the SAS website for details ofcancellations, and added that passengers could rebook or cancel theirtickets free of charge until May 5.About 30 per cent of flights operated by SAS subcontractors were notaffected; the use of subcontractors has also concerned unions.SAS management and analysts have said SAS was not in a position tomeet the wage demands, citing the tough economic environment for theairline industry. SAS Norway on Tuesday said it would temporarily lay off approximately1,000 employees - including 930 cabin crew members - due to thestrike.