Croatia Airlines has a pilots' union and Flygirl319320 is a member of it. It also has a seniority list but it was cheerfully disregarded by both the company and the union, ever since first pilots from disintegrating JAT arrived in 1992. and started displacing ZagAl pilots. The arrangement worked fine while company was expanding, with those bypassed for promotion consuming their rights belatedly but taking the stance "Better late then never" and moving on. I have repeatedly warned that such an arrangement will end up in tears when the good times are over and culling of the pilot populations occurs, but I was always brushed away as a prophet of doom. It gives me no pleasure to say "I told you so".
The lawyer that pilots' union has retained is at least incompetent and possibly corrupt. That's subject to change, though. Even if he were legal eagle it would make no difference as judicial system in Croatia is in shambles. The judge that dismissed the charge of unfair dismissal, brought on against CTN by group of four CAs is already four months late with her explanation of the verdict and no one gets much excited about it as it is perfectly acceptable in Croatia to wait years for the verdict. Our colleague that was unfairly dismissed was returned to A320 RHS eight years after being fired and was awarded the damages. Both company and CEO paid fines for the contempt of court and no one cares. Makes interesting comparison with former Thai CEO, Wallop Bhukkanasut, who resigned over not paying for extra baggage on Tokyo-Bangkok flight.
As a member of the union's executive board, I did participate in giving advice to affected pilots that would be considered extremely scandalous in any country compliant with the second world standards or higher: "Accept the offer, move to Q400, you might win the damages in the court, but you'll spend ages jobless." I reasoned that standing up for the rule of the law in today's Croatia would be as efficient as protesting for Jews' rights in WW2 Nazi-puppet Independent state of Croatia.
Originally Posted by Flygirl319320
the group of 6 Captains on A319/320 were announced as technological surplus on that type and forced to sign a contract for Dash Q 400 for new bonding and less pay.
Not the whole story. Eight captains were considered surplus. Two of them fled at first sign of trouble, one to Kazakhstan, the other to Albania. That left six captains that were lowest ranked on the seniority list with offer to join the regional fleet. They refused and four of them got the lawyers to write them an opinion that seniority is incompatible with Croatia's labour law and that additional rules apply. As it was IAW the company's policy to disregard the seniority, the MGT happily organized the makeshift committee that came up with four new names for downgrade to Dash, and Flygirl319320 was one of them. Again, lawyers were busy, writing that seniority is contract and disrespecting it would be breach of contract. However, average Croat's view on the contract breaching would make even Machiavelli blush so here we are.
There is a possible silver lining, though; the uncle-in-law of one of the affected 320 captains is running for the country's president on Sunday. If he succeeds, that might turn his nephew-in-law fortunes for better and therefore the whole group might be able to benefit. Having
jefe politico in family never hurts in our beautiful homeland.
Whichever ugly way it turns, on Jan 12 my group of freshly minted Q400 capts & F/Os is giving a party at Fly bar. During it, yours truly, temporarily elevated to the status of whiskey priest, will serve the requiem for our company, as we know it. I promise I'll get drunk and spin a yarn about our beloved company that will be very colorful, illegal for anyone underage to hear and radically different from the official version. It will be as close to truth, as my alcohol soaked brain cells allow. We'll follow the words of the wise Dave Gahan: "Let's have a black celebration, to celebrate the fact that we've seen the back of another black day". PPRuNers passing through Zagreb are welcome, PM me to arrange the entry.
Clandestino
The loud & foul mouthed one.