SAS in talks with unions, no contract yet

Scandinavian Airlines employees are preparing for bankruptcy despite intensive negotiations between union representatives and management, company officials say. SAS has been holding talks with pilot and cabin crew unions in Copenhagen during the weekend, TT reported. "Negotiations are going [expletive]," SAS Chairman Fritz Schur told Danish radio Sunday. A deal must be reached before the SAS board meets Sunday evening to determine the airline's future, but company officials said it would not accept the terms laid out by the unions. "Unfortunately there is no deal with any of the unions yet," SAS said in a statement. The airline had given the unions a Sunday deadline to accept its proposal to eliminate about 800 jobs and cut salaries, The Wall Street Journal reported. Swedish Airline Pilots Association spokeswoman Rebecca Rosenvinge said the airline has rejected a proposal the unions submitted early Sunday. SAS spokeswoman Elisabeth Manzi told TT outbound flights Sunday were carrying extra fuel to ensure they can return to Scandinavian airports regardless of whether the two sides can reach agreement, the Journal said.