Four labor unions representing Smartwings pilots and cabin crew have declared strike readiness on Monday, putting pressure on the Czech Republic’s largest charter airline just ahead of the peak summer holiday season.
The airline is grappling with significant staffing challenges, particularly among its pilot ranks. According to union statements, approximately 60% of Boeing 737 first officers have been with the company for less than three years. The situation has led to unsustainable working conditions, with pilots regularly expected to accept shift changes with less than 48 hours’ notice and maintain constant telephone availability.
The gravity of the situation is reflected in the overwhelming support for strike action, with 99% of Smart Unity pilot union members voting in favor of strike readiness. As the largest carrier for Czech travel agencies, Smartwings has already gained notoriety for frequent delays and flight cancellations, issues that unions attribute directly to staff shortages and employee burnout.
In response to these conditions, unions are now advising employees to strictly adhere to their contractual obligations and cease accepting arbitrary shift changes. They emphasize that any resulting flight disruptions should not be viewed as worker non-compliance but rather as a consequence of the airline’s unstable staffing situation and demands that often push beyond safety norms.
The unions have presented clear demands: stabilization of staffing levels, improved communication, better shift planning, and wage increases. The strike readiness will continue indefinitely, with union representatives set to evaluate the situation and consider proceeding with a full strike in ten days.