Its Not KLM Mainline this is about its about DISCRIMINATION of the UK pilots
I am afraid you are all going off down the wrong road here.
The industrial action ballot is about DISCRIMINATION of the UK pilots by the Dutch.
Mainline access, on 'fair and reasonable terms', is seen as a possible solution to stopping the discrimination that the KLM pilots are suffering, and have been suffering, for the last 3 years.
Of course there are many other options to solve the problem, - simply stop the discrimination but this would involve KLM then going to war with the VNV so who is the easiest to fight? Now the KLCuk pilots have decided enough is enough and are going to fight back. This action will no doubt cause and awful lot of embarrassment for the Dutch.
To stop the discrimination would involve a big change on both the side of KLCuk/KLC/KLM and the VNV. The many reasons for this discrimination by KLCuk/KLC/KLM is because of agreements with the VNV and pressure being applied by the VNV to insist that KLM stick to their agreements and therefore discriminate against the UK pilot workforce.
The areas of discrimination claimed are:-
Management jobs and Training jobs etc being given to VNV members and not Balpa members
VNV insisting that a minimum number of UK pilots will leave each year (and have a written agreement to guarantee these numbers will depart which is being stuck to by KLM).
VNV insisting that there will be no more recruitment into the UK company after November 2002 (hence the UK pilots will never get senior and can only ever achieve less seniority over time).
Different Remuneration Rates
Different Sick Pay Periods
Different employer pension contributions (KLCuk pay less into UK pilot’s pension fund (as a % of salary) than KLM pay into Dutch pilot’s pension fund) BUT KLCuk are looking to reduce the benefits for the UK pilots and hence pay in even less money
Different Career Structure
Refusal by KLM to recognise a current UK agreement for type equipment change at base (to 737). In doing so rebasing of all UK pilots with the associated moves for them and their families.
Restrictions on promotion to Captain for KLCuk pilots on a 2:1 ratio (2 KLM to 1 UK).
KLM make agreement with the VNV to allow Swedish pilots to operate aircraft and routes and pay pass over pay to the KLM pilots who are seen to suffer yet do not agree to any such payment to the UK pilots whose career has suffered.
Hopefully you will all begin to realise now what this is about and what has (and still is) going on.