VOLUNTEERS ON EUROFLEET
Many of you have now read the ESS message from Glen Reynolds regarding the
"volunteer crew" recency on EF. Some of you have expressed horror and
outrage on the forum, but we are not at all surprised.
Mr Reynolds talks about the VCCs serving customers during times of
operational disruption. Now does he mean just in times of dispute, or does
this operational disruption include bad weather etc.? If that was the case
these volunteers cannot possibly have their uniform under their desk in
wherever they do their current job, so they must need notice of at least a
day. Does that mean they could then be allocated your work, and take your
trips away, should "Ops" think there may be a crew shortage, due to fog or
other bad weather forecast. Perhaps Mr Reynolds would care to answer this
issue.
It seems to us that this latest scheme once again shows the contempt BA,
and IFCE in particular, have got, not just for their crew, but even for
their own volunteers. Are any of these volunteers looking forward to
being placed in a crew environment? Last time these volunteers flew, if at
all, it was as a rag tag outfit of strike-breakers, volunteer pilots, and
anyone else who in our view could be forced into a uniform. This is
completely different as they will be in the normal crew arena, with things
they've never come across, like IFE, duty frees and hot meals,- and of
course proper crew!
So how should we treat volunteers if on a flight with them? You must
remember that dignity at work is extremely important, and
bullying/harassment is completely unacceptable, even if feelings are
running high. We ask you treat them with politeness and respect - after
all they are one of your crew.
BAs policy of safety and security is also of paramount importance - BA
stress that. If these volunteers attend a briefing for a flight, whether
supernumerary or a familiar flight, they should have already attained a
level of competency in both SEP and Avmed. - that was part of their
training. Under Joint Procedures Manual- Part A2 para 2.3.1 individual
questions should be asked of all crew. The procedure stipulates that if
anyone's SEP knowledge appears inadequate, the briefing continues, and
afterwards the SCCM asks the individual to wait in the briefing room.
Their competency is further checked. If still inadequate they must be
off-loaded. This is quite clearly stated in the manual and applies to ALL
crew. There is no reason why any volunteers would struggle compared to
normal crew as surely BA will have put them through the same training and
will have verified their competency before allowing them to fly. Some of
these volunteers could also be on a familiarisation flight. That means
they are above the minimum CAA limit, so as an example they could be no.7
on a 767, or no. 4 on a 319, which means they should be joining in the
cabin service. Sadly that also means they have taken the place of a normal
crew member for whatever reason. On any familiarisation flights the SCCM
has to complete a checklist regarding competency. According to FCO 1.9.3,
any failure to achieve certain standards means these volunteers should be
sent back to training school to improve. This is only fair as BA has a
moral obligation to provide their pax with crew who are competent in
safety and security, and also properly trained.
Mr Francis has said mixed fleet will only grow with natural wastage. Don't
give him a chance to increase the natural wastage by having crew suspended
or dismissed because they bullied volunteers. Stay professional and SCCMs
ensure ALL your crew are competent at the briefing.