Historic first strike by Wizz Air Flight Crew – more strikes likely to follow

Pilots and cabin crew of Wizz Air in Italy want a collective agreement that secures their rights. They have therefore stopped work for the first time in an attempt to enter into dialogue with the company.

70 percent of Wizz Air’s departures between 13 and 17 were canceled on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

“It is a historic moment for the employees, who for years have asked the company for meetings to improve working conditions and recognize a national collective agreement,” reads a statement from the Italian trade union Fit-Cisl, which represents pilots and cabin crew, among others.

Wizz Air challenges legality of strike

The flight crew is employed by Wizz Air Malta, which in May has around 750 departures in Italy.

Wizz Air called the strike unnecessary and challenged its legality, according to aviation media Simple Flying, which has also obtained a statement from Wizz Air:

“At Wizz, we recognize the right to be a member of a trade union. We also recognize the right not to be a member of a union, but instead to have an honest dialogue with the management of the airline. It has proven to work well in the last 20 years, where we have not had union interference, but have maintained an open dialogue.”

Trade union: ‘There will be more strikes‘

The flight staff in Wizz Air want, among other things, that their salary level be adjusted to inflation, that there will be better maternity conditions, more stability in relation to scheduling and a company pension. That’s what Simple Flying writes.

Italian trade union Fit-Cisl says the strikes will continue indefinitely until Wizz Air comes to the bargaining table, and the company can expect the next strike to last 24 hours.

“The conflict does not end, but begins with the strike that has just ended. In the absence of concrete answers, we will reluctantly be forced to launch further mobilization actions,” says Fit-Cisl.