Fit for the Future
UNITE/ XL Joint Consultation Meeting – 2 held on Monday 21 September at 1400
in Explorer House.
Present: (In-flight Director)
(Head of Cabin Services)
(Employee Relations Manager)
(UNITE Regional Officer - South)
(UNITE Regional Officer – MAN)
(UNITE Rep)
(UNITE Rep)
1. Consultation Period
Mr XX stated that UNITE would accept that the 90 day consultation
period commenced on the day that UNITE was informed by telephone of
the situation, ie the date stated on the HR1 form – 20 August 2007.
Mr XX introduced Ms XX as the UNITE Regional Officer based in
Manchester and requested that she, along with Mr XX (UNITE Rep
for Manchester were copied in on all documentation).
2. Update from XL
Ms XX provided an update with regard to the process so far, that
the Company as a whole is consolidating structures at present to reduce
costs by 20%, this included the tour operating division. She highlighted the
fact that in terms of communication, a dedicated site has been developed
on the Company intranet which provides the latest information on the Fit
for the Future process. Ms XX explained that the options from the first
communication to Cabin Crew were being set aside and that a pack with
updated proposals for alternatives to compulsory redundancy including
more detail and policies was being sent out to each individual, including a
potentially enhanced VR proposal. The uptake will be fed back to the
consultation group asap.
Mr XX stated that the Q&A document currently on the intranet has
been very helpful and he has no specific questions on the document at this
time.
3. Selection Criteria
The Company explained the criteria that would be used to select individuals
for compulsory redundancy. Mr XX questioned the fact that there
doesn’t appear to be any points awarded for being a Purser or A/P. The
Company explained that it would make no difference if there was as every
Purser and A/P would receive those points because they are being assessed
in separate pools. Any extra points for being a Purser or A/P would be
reflected in the work performance category.
Work Performance Section:
The points awarded for being the “Winner” of sales incentive will be
removed as it was felt that this would discriminate against those who were
part-time and would not have the same ability to become the winner as
those who work full-time.
Negative comments: This area was queried as UNITE felt that it would be
unfair to use this category to deduct points unless each negative comment
was investigated thoroughly. The Company confirmed that all negative
comments are investigated thoroughly and would only be used when
determined that a case exists.
Ms XX stated that the Company is being as objective and conscientious
as possible in making sure that the criteria is completely fair.
Flight Paperwork: UNITE questioned the deduction of points in this
category and sought clarification that this only takes place once the
clarification has been sought and the individual has received feedback. The
Company confirmed that this was the case. Anything that has taken place
recently, where the forms have taken a few days to come through has not
been taken into consideration.
Length of Service: UNITE stated that they would like to take months into
account rather than full years’ service. This may be taken into account if a
number of individuals are on the same points.
Sickness: UNITE queried the fact that having an informal chat would count
for points deduction. The Company explained that the informal chat is to
determine whether or not there is an underlying problem, or particular
mitigating circumstances. When it is determined that there is not it will be
taken into account. If it is determined that there is an underlying problem
or mitigating circumstances, the informal stage will be removed from the
individual’s record and therefore will not be counted.
4. Nokair Contract:
Q: Are these employees safe or part of the pool for selection for
redundancy?
A: In the pot for selection.
Q: Do these employees revert to their original position when the
contract ends?
A: Yes
Q: Is the original grade of employees the one that is used for the
redundancy pool?
A: Yes
Q: Statement – people are thinking that they are safe.
A: The Company has done nothing to encourage this, everyone has
received the letter that was sent to all Cabin Crew stating that their
position is at risk.
5. 7/5 Contract
The Company has offered this contract to reduce the number of
compulsory redundancies that may have to be made. Looking further into
the future it didn’t want to have to go through a similar exercise next year,
therefore the Company wished to offer a permanent option that would
take care of seasonal peaks and troughs. It was felt that offering this
option would reduce the number of compulsory redundancies to approx 80
across both bases. This has also taken into account the number of
resignations which the Company has recently received.
6. General
Q: Why is the Sunwing contract only open to Manchester based
employees?
A: Because the aircraft will be based in Manchester next year. You
may have been made aware of personnel from other bases applying
for Sunwing, these applications are from personnel who are on
temporary contracts with XL, they are not part of the establishment
going forward and have made the approach to Sunwing personally.
Q: If Cabin Crew took the option to take unpaid leave and wished to be
paid over the 12 month period at a pro-rata rate would they be able
to take this option from November?
A: The Company would need to investigate this as there would be a
risk of the person being paid and then not returning to XL, there is
the potential that the Company would not be able to recover the
salaries paid.
7. Further Comments
Leavers – there is an increased number recently.
The ranking order for compulsory redundancy will be made available to
UNITE as soon as it is completed.
As soon as the alternative options come back they will be communicated to
UNITE.
Revised alternatives are to go out to Cabin Crew asap.
Those individuals on maternity leave and long term sick – they are being
communicated with along with all other members of the Cabin Crew
workforce.
The latest options pack is to be highlighted as a replacement to the earlier
options and further to the initial letters.
The Company is to ensure the UNITE Reps are released from
flying/standby duties to attend further meetings.
Mr XX – UNITE Rep in Manchester has not been rostered to attend
some meetings – the Company/UNITE will ensure that he receives all
communications.
The Company is to investigate roster release for one of the LGW UNITE
reps to accompany Denise Barber on a visit to the Manchester base.
Meeting closed.