Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
As a consequence of the broad mobility bans imposed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Scandinavian Airlines System SAS announced a reduction of its workforce by up to 5,000 full-time positions; 1,700 of those in Denmark (approximately 1,900 full-time positions will be cut in Sweden and 1,300 in Norway). The airport in Copenhagen will be most affected by the restructuring.
SAS sent 4,000 out of 4,300 employees in Denmark home on paid standby during the temporary termination of airline traffic in Denmark in March and April 2020. In a press release from 28 April 2020, the CEO of the company announced the restructuring programme of the hard-pressed Scandinavian airline company. The management assured that the redundancy plan will be implemented following the labour law practices in each affected country.
During the restructuring, SAS will actively engage with its unions and other stakeholders to seek solutions to reduce the number of actual layoffs across the Group, as well as other productivity enhancements. The number of redundancies in Denmark spread over the different units is not known yet. It will, however, include all categories: cockpit and cabin crew, ground handling activities as well as check-in and baggage organisation.
Updated, 29/6/20: SAS updated their information on dismissals in Denmark due to the COVID-19 crisis. After negotiations with relevant trade unions SAS was able to limit the number of dismissals to 1593 employees which equals 1420 full-time positions. Some employees chose voluntary resignation, some took voluntary leave and some accepted part-time positions to limit the number of dismissals. SAS hopes to rehire staff when and if things get back to normal. The dismissed staff in Denmark includes 176 pilots, 684 cabin crew, 586 employees on the ground and administrative staff.
Eurofound (2020), SAS, Internal restructuring in Denmark, factsheet number 100492, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/100492.
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