Flying Saucepan well done u have hit the nail on the head what a great post......Its not about who is Dutch and how is British but about two Unions. The VNV looking after the Dutch (which they do a bloody good job at) and BALPA trying to get the best deal they can for the British work force. The big problem is that KLMuk has become a holding company basically supplying KLMuk (contracted pilots) to KLM. No one can deny KLM could have solved this problem in a better way but what i think alot of people want to know is the following:
This problem stems way back at least 4 years ago with the splitting of the AIRuk work force into two (Yellow line [Buzz], blue line [KLMuk]) and we had to make a decision which route to take without KLM providing us and infact withholding vital information.
What really has enoyed me is that BALPA (Gawick) has done bugger all to help the KLMuk/Buzz pilots. All the BALPA company council guys for the last 4 years have worked there arses off for the KLMuk workforce and have done the best they can. BUT BALPA have never given them any real support or backup whats so ever......they are so good at taking all the subs from the 350 so workforce in the union for the last four years put are not willing to put anything back. The BALPA representative has been so poor its unbelievable.
Once again though the CC guys have worked so hard its just a shame that Gatwick has not helped them more... after all they are pilots not trained negotiators. Well done the CC guys keep up the good work.
BALPA WHERE IS THERE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!