My vote will be no. EBA_Babylon - I am like you....LOVE
VB & LOVE working for them but there is far too much to lose under the proposed document & once it's gone we will never get it back. There are *some* positive things about the new EBA but far too many negatives for it to get a yes vote from me in it's current form.
I'll list a few of the things that really jumped out at me when reading the new document.
- Check out the clause re Managing Performance!! Our rights are GONE when it comes to disciplinary action in the new document!! Compare the old to the new. A massive chunk is missing - far too long to list it all here but go to clause 23 in the current EBA - C to G are gone as is L!
- Cancelling accommodation has gone from 36hrs to 72hrs & nothing to say anymore about cancelling on notification of flying! No getting called on AVL & cancelling accom on the spot & getting an extra bit of cash to cover your expenses when you're not staying in company provided accommodation!
- 12 hour duty times for international crews. In the not too distant future all crew will apparentally be doing online training which will make us all available for the international sectors. Then ALL crew will be able to work 12 hr duties as long a there is an international sector. Theoretically we could do a DPS or WLG return followed by another sector or 2 or 3! Have you noticed that there is no provision for extra rest for crew that will be working 12 hours? Not before, during or after a 12 hr duty!! We could do a trip comprising of 4 days of 12hr duties with only 10hrs rest in between each day!! Think of how exhausted you are now when you do 4 sector days followed by min rest! Apparentally we will only be entitled to ONE 20 min rest break during a 12 hr duty too!!
- Did you notice that the clause regarding passports & visa's has been changed. Clause 5.3 now says" You are required to hold a current passport. There may be times you are required to obtain certain visas in order to perform your duties. You will be responsible for the costs associated with these documents" Our current EBA says that
VB will be responsible for those costs! I think its ok to pay for our own passports - but VISAS? Come ON!! It's a cost associated with those flights being crewed and therefor should be paid for by the company!
- As mentioned before nothing is in the EBA about buffers around days off - in particular single days off!!! This is scary! Imagine finishing a trip late, having 1 day off and then starting another trip early!
Think carefully before you vote YES. I realise that we are in tough financial times and am willing to make some concessions to help get us through & keep myself & others in a job. BUT there is a hell of a lot to lose by voting yes. We have a lot to gain by voting NO - the biggest being that we would be able to NEGOTIATE in the true sense of the word.