Copa Airlines' plane is pictured at Tocumen International Aiport after the company said it will suspend all operations in order to weather the coronavirus disease crisis, in Panama City, Panama March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Erick Marciscanocalled off a planned strike Thursday morning after reaching a deal with the company aimed at recovering purchasing power, the Panamanian Commercial Aviators Union said.the strike on Feb.
The group said the deal, reached hours before the pilots were slated to walk out, includes benefits and other measures that will allow pilots to recoup purchasing power losses sustained during the pandemic. Panama's labor ministry mediated talks between the airline and the union, and said the agreement "promotes the peaceful labor climate the country needs for its economic recovery."
UNPAC's negotiating committee in a statement called the talks "complex." It said the deal offered "a fair and sustainable collective agreement with better working and salary conditions," including benefits for pregnant pilots and pay hikes for Sunday and holiday shifts.