SriLankan signs new collective agreement with flight attendants

SriLankan Airlines has signed a fresh collective agreement with its Flight Attendants’ Union, which includes the important introduction of productivity based payments for all cabin staff.

The National Carrier has in recent months focused sharply on increasing employee productivity to turn itself into a more competitive airline. Pradeepa Dahanayake, Head of Human Resources, said: “Since the management of the airline changed hands last April, we have been exploring every possible way to enhance productivity, increase revenue, and reduce costs.

“We are confident that the new productivity based payment system will be of great benefit to both the airline and our cabin staff. Our thanks to the Flight Attendants’ Union for their co-operation in implementing this programme.”

“Productivity improvements and industrial peace were key focal points during the negotiation sessions, and the relationship between the union and management were further strengthened,” Dahanayake said.

This is the fourth collective agreement to be signed with the Flight Attendants’ Union, going back to 1998. The new agreement is effective up to May 31, 2010. Head of Service Delivery, Captain Milinda Ratnayake, said: “There are many challenges ahead for our airline with increased competition from other airlines, and the fallout of the global financial crisis likely to affect the air travel industry.”

“We look forward to the full support of our flight attendants to take SriLankan to greater success.”

President of the Flight Attendants’ Union, Ian Anandappa, said: “The FAU is confident that this CBA will usher in a new era of productivity to SriLankan Airlines.

“We will make every endeavour to work together with the management to fine-tune this new methodology to take our beloved airline to greater heights”.