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WOW air cabin crew refuse to clean the airplane for free

Photo: WOW air
Photo: WOW air

The 5-year-old icelandic low-cost carrier, WOW air, is having difficulties implementing new changes as they want their cabin crew to clean the aircraft when it’s doing a turn-around abroad for free.

According to iceland monitor, members of cabin crew working for Icelandic low-cost airline WOW air refusing to follow recent new instructions for extra tidying duties while aircraft are on turn-around abroad.

Individual staff members have complained about the new duties, indicating that the extra tidying tasks are expected to be performed for no extra pay and are not part of their job description.

Talks have begun between the disgruntled staff members in question and the airline, says WOW air spokesperson Svanhvít Friðriksdóttir.

“This issue will be discussed alongside other issues regarding working conditions,” she says, referring to the new work procedures recently introduced. “WOW air is a low-cost airline and similar procedures are in place with other low-cost airlines.”

WOW air
Photo: Iceland Monitor/Eggert Jóhannesson

“One part of the discussion is differing interpretations of what constitutes ‘cleaning’ on board,” Friðriksdóttir explains. “The new procedures require cabin crew to cross seat-belts, clear any rubbish from the seat-back pockets and change bin-bags in the toilets and galleys, if necessary.”

Friðriksdóttir points out that cabin crew already walk through the aircraft just before landing with the bin trolley, so passengers can throw rubbish away. “Most of them do, so it’s not as if the seat pockets are going to be full of rubbish.”

She also clarifies that if actual cleaning services are required, e.g. if a passenger has been sick, then service providers from the airport are brought in.

“Only a few members of staff are refusing to follow these instructions. Many have been willing to perform the new tasks,” Friðriksdóttir says, adding: “Under no circumstances are cabin crew expected to clean or vacuum the aircraft, or anything like that. Our view is that the duties contained in the new procedures cannot be deemed to be cleaning.”

According to Friðriksdóttir, the same procedures are in place with domestic airline Air Iceland, both on their domestic and Greenland routes.

Source: Iceland monitor

One thought on “WOW air cabin crew refuse to clean the airplane for free

  • Anonymous

    It’s free labor for the airline – next they’ll ask us to fly the plane too, to save money ya know.

    Reply

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