No food, no drinks due to an industrial action [ex OSL & BGO]
May 20, 2016, 1:29 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
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No food, no drinks due to an industrial action [ex OSL & BGO]
so I get the following message three hours before my flight:
Now, I am flying SAS Plus (LHR-OSL), which for the last of real business class, is SAS' business class equivalent. I understand that sometimes things are beyond their control, but this is an extremely poor show:
- communicated 3 hours before departure
- no mention of it at checkin
- crew really disinterested after doing a round with tea and coffee (no refills)
Not exactly the level of service I'd expect paying twice the economy price...
Frankly, if it was communicated a day earlier, I'd cancel the booking and get a redemption seat with BA instead.
Due to industrial action amongst our catering supplier, SAS regrets that we are unable to offer food and beverages on your flight to Oslo. We recommend that you bring your own food and drinks on board, but please note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Kind regards SAS
- communicated 3 hours before departure
- no mention of it at checkin
- crew really disinterested after doing a round with tea and coffee (no refills)
Not exactly the level of service I'd expect paying twice the economy price...
Frankly, if it was communicated a day earlier, I'd cancel the booking and get a redemption seat with BA instead.
May 20, 2016, 2:16 pm
#3
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This is a joke, why don't they offer discounts on flights with less-than-expected service? Travelling only with hand luggage, I can't really tell a difference between SAS-so-called-Plus and SAS Go, except being ripped off. The seat is the same, they don't even block the middle one; lounge access doesn't matter, as I am *G anyway. Not impressed...
May 20, 2016, 2:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,777
The strike was escalated last night to take out more workers from today, catering has been going downhill all week ex-Norway. Only coffee/tee today in Plus, not even cream and sugar 
SAS Gold lounge in OSL had a sign inviting guests to pack a lunch to bring onboard, they had even put out bags to fill with food from the lounge.
Just count yourself lucky you are not flying longhaul out of OSL, they have also been affected from today. Thai announced they would only provide a limited selection of snacks on their flight to BKK today, not a great experience in C for sure.
SAS Gold lounge in OSL had a sign inviting guests to pack a lunch to bring onboard, they had even put out bags to fill with food from the lounge.
Just count yourself lucky you are not flying longhaul out of OSL, they have also been affected from today. Thai announced they would only provide a limited selection of snacks on their flight to BKK today, not a great experience in C for sure.
May 20, 2016, 2:28 pm
#5
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I can't see why they couldn't send ground staff to a supermarket and get at least some drinks and snacks.
I wonder if my morning OSL-FRA Lh flight will be affected as well. Oh joy...
I wonder if my morning OSL-FRA Lh flight will be affected as well. Oh joy...
May 20, 2016, 2:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: SAS EBG
Posts: 10
This is a joke, why don't they offer discounts on flights with less-than-expected service? Travelling only with hand luggage, I can't really tell a difference between SAS-so-called-Plus and SAS Go, except being ripped off. The seat is the same, they don't even block the middle one; lounge access doesn't matter, as I am *G anyway. Not impressed...
I'm still amazed in this day and age, carriers are unable to source multiple caterers. I guess they are all striking as Gate Gourmet provides OSL food and SSP provides SVG.
May 20, 2016, 4:21 pm
#8
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They could have trucked in catering from any other hub. Overstocked when taking planes abroad etc. The disappointing part is that no further effort was made. There is probably no reimbursement plan either for people who paid for Plus, seeing how without catering their ticket just became a coach ticket. Its a shame that SK just accepts the situation and ignores the consequences and customers.
Of course you'd imagine that by 2016 striking would simply be illegal.
Of course you'd imagine that by 2016 striking would simply be illegal.
May 20, 2016, 11:34 pm
#9
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They could have trucked in catering from any other hub. Overstocked when taking planes abroad etc. The disappointing part is that no further effort was made. There is probably no reimbursement plan either for people who paid for Plus, seeing how without catering their ticket just became a coach ticket. Its a shame that SK just accepts the situation and ignores the consequences and customers.
Of course you'd imagine that by 2016 striking would simply be illegal.
Of course you'd imagine that by 2016 striking would simply be illegal.
As a side note, Park Inn at OSL appears to suffer from the same strike action - no hot food, paper plates, etc.
May 20, 2016, 11:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,777
Strike called off from 12 noon today, so things should quickly get better form today.
Hotels have been a mess for almost 4 weeks in Norway, I have been moved from hotels that had to close due to strike and I had trouble accessing one hotel due to striking staff blocking the main entrance. Absolutely appalling behaviour. Staff came out to escort me inside via a side entrance...
Hotels have been a mess for almost 4 weeks in Norway, I have been moved from hotels that had to close due to strike and I had trouble accessing one hotel due to striking staff blocking the main entrance. Absolutely appalling behaviour. Staff came out to escort me inside via a side entrance...
May 20, 2016, 11:53 pm
#11
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Strike called off from 12 noon today, so things should quickly get better form today.
Hotels have been a mess for almost 4 weeks in Norway, I have been moved from hotels that had to close due to strike and I had trouble accessing one hotel due to striking staff blocking the main entrance. Absolutely appalling behaviour. Staff came out to escort me inside via a side entrance...
Hotels have been a mess for almost 4 weeks in Norway, I have been moved from hotels that had to close due to strike and I had trouble accessing one hotel due to striking staff blocking the main entrance. Absolutely appalling behaviour. Staff came out to escort me inside via a side entrance...
May 21, 2016, 12:44 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
As for the comment that strikes should be illegal: in Norway they are legal and are run according to strict rules. In the hotel strike, the striking unions "won", and got their main demands from the employer. The right to strike is part of the fabric of rights given to the common man in Norway and in other similar countries. One might dislike it, but that is the way this country functions.
May 21, 2016, 1:35 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,777
Sorry, you are right indeed. So many unions... Fellesforbundet and the hotels are not on strike anymore, Parat and the caterers are still on strike. However the demands are similar, so a similar solution so should not be very far away hopefully.