Extract from BALPA newsletter:
Madrid - Why this is a major issue for all of us in easyJet
1. Our concerns
Madrid presents major concerns not just for those members wishing to transfer to the Spanish base but
for all BALPA members in easyJet.
1.1 Status of the Spanish Branch / BALPA representation
Until recently, the CC understood the Spanish Branch – easyJet Airline Spain - was being established as
a wholly-owned, Spanish-registered subsidiary company of easyJet plc. We have now been notified that
this is not the case. At least to start with, we understand the Spanish Branch will in fact be easyJet’s
existing ground handling unit in Spain - easyJet Handling Spain. This is, in effect, the Spanish unit of
easyJet Airline Company Limited. It is not a wholly-owned subsidiary company of easyJet plc, with its
own management structure (like easyJet Switzerland S.A.), but will be controlled and managed by
easyJet Airline Company Limited. As flight crew based in Madrid will therefore (i) be working for the
Spanish section of easyJet Airline Company Limited, (ii) controlled and managed by easyJet Airline
Company Limited, (iii) operating under the easyJet Airline Company Limited AOC and Operations
Manual and (iv) potentially working along side other easyJet Airline Company Limited pilots based in the
UK, Germany, France and Italy, we believe that BALPA is the most appropriate association to represent
this group of pilots and that contractual matters should therefore be governed by UK rather than Spanish
law.
1.2 Divide and rule
As stated above, we believe Madrid should be included in the existing BALPA bargaining unit covering
the UK, France, Germany and Italy. If Madrid is not included in the existing BALPA bargaining unit it
could lead to the fragmentation of our existing negotiating arrangements. This in turn could allow
easyJet to play one group of pilots off against another and make it more difficult to us to achieve our
longer-term pay and lifestyle objectives.
1.3 Thin end of the wedge
If we allow easyJet to set up Madrid under the UK AOC but on potentially inferior terms and conditions
(see below), it could be the thin end of a very large wedge. For example, easyJet might then decide to
establish similar branches or “franchise” arrangements in countries where pay and condition are
generally lower than in “western” Europe. The company could then use this to drive down terms and
conditions in the UK, France, Germany and Italy.
1.4 Scheduling
The Company has now indicated that pilots employed by the Spanish Branch will be allocated a 5453
group but that it may be necessary for roster groups to be changed by the Company from time to time to
equalise availability. As a result, future days off would only
be guaranteed a month ahead of the published roster. In our view this is unacceptable because one of
the key advantages of a fixed-pattern roster – knowing your rostered days off well in advance - has been
negated.
The CC has spent the last five years working with the Company to improve rostering and lifestyle. We
are therefore very disappointed that easyJet is behaving is such an opportunistic fashion and trying to
use the establishment of a Spanish Branch to change our rostering agreement.
1.5 Other terms and conditions are not acceptable
There is no occupational pension scheme.
There is no contractual loss of licence cover or sick pay.
The proposed performance bonus scheme has not been discussed or agreed with BALPA.
As previously stated, there are no negotiating or representation arrangements with BALPA or any other
pilot association.
1.6 “Fast track” commands
easyJet is offering “fast track” commands in Madrid to existing easyJet Airline Company Limited SFOs on
the condition that they transfer to an easyJet Handling Spain contract for at least 12 months. This
contravenes our Pilot Resource Agreement and will almost certainly result in some SFOs, who are in a
higher position in the command pool, being “queue jumped”.
In our view, an SFO taking a command in Madrid should be treated in exactly the same way as other
pilots volunteering to work in Spain for a temporary period. They should continue to enjoy normal
easyJet Airline Company Limited pay and conditions during this 12 month period. They should not be
coerced into accepting an easyJet Handling Spain contract in order to secure a command.
I for one didn't realise what is going on with the madrid situation, because I'm not interested in a Madrid base, but I do find this very worrying.
By posting this BALPA newsletter I hope other (ezy) pilots will wake up and stand up against it.
And I thought Andy Harrison was making EZY a decent company....
