Is that not what the ECA was supposed to achieve? They were blowing the trumpet a few years ago about their negotiations with the Commission about FTL's. I've heard nothing further. Was it set up just to be a bean feast for the self appointed few?
I've asked this many times, and here again. In the early 90's the EU introduced the Health & Safety at Work Act plus other Worker's Charter parameters. Public transport was excluded, for a short period (undefined). Kinnock said that the companies should introduce compensation measures for it's employees until a more longterm solutiion could be found. The improved conditions of work enviroment enjoyed by ground (Office & factory) staff could not be matched in an aeroplane etc. e.g. meal breaks, working space volume, shift patterns. etc.
This compenstaion, for us crews, could only be realised in either shorter working periods or extra time off.
This has never happened, indeed things have got worse.
Has anyone had any kind of compensation package introduced in their company? I've asked this question to BALPA and ECA.
NO RELPY! Someone must know the truth.
What is true is the comment about social life. This is not just about working hours is about the manner of work rosters. I found it impossible in recent years to be a member of any sports team or enroll in night classes or do anything that reocurred on a fixed day or at a fixed time. The various rostering departments over the past few years refused to give what they saw as preferential treatment to anyone.
My AME's all said that a balance between work and chosen activity in free time was an essential element of good helath. It was impossible in most airlines, and with the increase in work load, I often didn't have the energy, or spare time, anyway. There are too many jobbers to be done on the precious days off at home.
There is too much 'turning the blind eye' by the CAA. They issue guidelines to roster departments but do not police them. Result? Airlines roster to the limits in a very unsympathetic manner. What do the FOI's do? The CAA calls itself the SRG Safety Regulation Group. Joke. Everytime there has been a conflict between commerce and personnel duty matters guess whose side held sway??
Come on ECA. Do you still exist and what are you doing about these FTL's? Who are your consultants? Crews from the majors. What do they know outside their cosy enviroment? I've worked short/long-haul charter/schedule for 9 airlines in 5 EU countries. I was finished off by an low-coster and quit. I've sent messages to ECA offering to help with firsthand experience. No reply.
I've sent messages to Brian Simpson and received a kind reply. Bit of a contrast there. Sadly, he said that this was the first letter laying out a case; all the others had been abusive.
This is too important to become emotional, entrenched or counter-poductive. For gawd's sake this has been going on for over 10 years and we seem no closer to agreement. Could it be that the boys & girls in the majors have their own internal cap agreements, so there is no rush forthem. On the outside the rest of the guys are being shafted every which way and need help quickly.
All CAA approved ops manuals I've read include paragraphs about the connection bewteen morale and saftey; yet they turn a blind eye, again, to what is the well known dire state of general morale. The biggest gripe is rostering, in every country and every company I can think of. The effect on morale and family life has been well publicised. The total conflict with all CRM training is plain for all to see, those who wish too.
It is about time the various authorities were made, perhaps by the ECA, to face up to their responsibilities in this field and not be the apparent puppets of the bean counters.