Sorry I do not often contribute to pprune but always read but I must add my bit.
KLM cityhopper uk came from the TUPE transfer of the aircraft with the pilots from KLM uk. It was required by law to bring the pilots with the aircraft into KLM cityhopper.
KLM cityhopper uk arrived with approx 20 aircraft to bolster the cityhopper fleet, and the pilots came to.
Some of these pilots wanted to go to Buzz some did not and that was understood by all parties.
The offer to join Klm was only palatable to a very junior first officer, start at the bottom thats it with a few short term incentives.
Many experineced ,,, 15 - 20 year Captains could not justify transfering to the bottom of a seniority list, a cut in pay after two years and if they were lucky and would be demoted from the left seat and even aircraft type after two years. It just was not an option.
The vnv seem to have adopted the attitude that these were new aircraft for KLM pilots, They were not ,unless some of our guys left and then vacancies would occur.
The vnv have met with the cc many times over the years and on a 1 2 1 basis are freindly enough. However their policy is strictly no negotiating with balpa and they will not ask the company for any changes. In their eyes the company have to ask them and their price for agreement will be high,,, too high for a practicable discussion. This is where the protective VNV starts from, blocking any sensible talks to solve the issues.
Many of the guys flying in the uk just want some security, justifiabley so , to continue flying the aircraft that they legally came with.
Why is it too mush to ask to allow the uk pilots to be placed on the dutch seniority list and stay in their current rank/ fleet / seat until they have senioirty to bid for another fleet.
Is it unreasonable ? the alternative , is they stay and continue flying intheir current fleet / seat /type for ever, protected by law.
What is wrong with that? the policies and disrimination we have endured over the last two years regarding pay, pensions, promotion, training etc forcing many to leave. Is this really acceptable in a modern professional society.
It is some of the VNV's attitude of "but you will affect my sons future" that i cannot fathom, and it is unacceptable for a group of people to behave that way.
We dont want much, just to be join the klm list . If that is so unacceptable to KLM then good luck with Air france , cause they will not stand for it and have a larger stick to use to make the rest fall into place.
Personally I have dealt with many of the people from vnv to managment the intrasigence they show, the unwillingness to address the issues is why we are in this posaition.
There are many good people who I have worked with on the NL side who are also amazed that this does not get addressed.
I would ask all KLM pilots to support us in securing our future in a sensible way, and I am confident that most of them who are aware of our situation will.
Solving this will put you all in a stronger position with the Air France Take over,
Ignore this and I hope that Air France are watching (I know they are aware) and do not ask for sympathy
Do to others as you would expect to be done to you.