The union representing the service sector, unia, has threatened legal action against the national carrier Swissair for alleged discrimination against some 800 part-time flight attendants, most of them women.

The union representing the service sector, unia, has threatened legal action against the national carrier Swissair for alleged discrimination against some 800 part-time flight attendants, most of them women.

At a news conference in Berne, unia said that part-time flight attendants were paid up to 40 per cent less than their full-time colleagues who had the benefit of a collective contract.

Unia added that part-time cabin staff also received less holidays and it accused Swissair of completely ignoring obligations regarding pensions.

The union said Swissair was violating the law on equality and it demanded that the current collective contract be applied to all flight attendants.

Unia added that the women concerned had reduced their working hours for family reasons but they were just as qualified as their colleagues working full-time.

Negotiations on cabin staff employment conditions began more than a year ago.

From staff and wire reports

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