NEC
Apologies, Flexi is still paid per flying hour until permanent SO is offered after 12 months.
"New Entrant Contract FTA agreement reached.
As with all negotiations an element of compromise was necessary. Whilst we have managed to improve the contracts that will now be offered to those pilots currently flying easyJet aircraft as flexicrew and also those recently employed on new contracts, we feel the most significant benefits will be enjoyed by our future ab-initio pilots. We have negotiated transitional arrangements for many of our existing flexicrew and those who recently signed new entrant contracts.
In future, ab-initio pilots will complete a pre-selection process for entry into an easyJet career. New loan arrangements are under development (involving continuing liaison with BALPA) which will help make the overall process more affordable. These measures potentially include the underwriting of loans by easyJet, thus reducing the burden on cadets and enabling better negotiation of interest rates.
The intention is for easyJet to underwrite the loans that potential pilots enter into with BBVA. This will allow access to funding to a much wider group of pilots for the future. It will also allow more flexibility for us to restructure payments to alleviate the financial pressure during the first 2 years, without making significant changes to interest rates or repayment period. The details of the new scheme and implementation details are not yet finalised, but we are making good progress and expect to be able to publish additional details in the next few weeks once we have agreed final terms with BBVA and have consulted with HMRC to ensure the scheme is compliant with HMRC rules.
Upon completion of type rating, new crews will complete a period of 12 months flexicrew in preparation for permanent entry onto easyJet contracts. This represents a significant change in the company strategy, creates a much more secure environment for our new crews and addresses one of the fundamental areas within the BALPA casualisation campaign.
On completion of the 'flexicrew' phase, subject to suitability, successful new entrants will be offered a Second Officer contract on a flat rate pay scale (currently £38000). No sector pay will be earned on this contract however night stop allowances will be paid. Usual employee benefits will feature within the contract.
On completion of 1251 eJ factored hours and 1 year on an SO contract, pilots will be offered a First Officer contract. This contract will be rostered using the FRV2 rule set (including 144 days off per year – the same total days off as the current 5354 fixed pattern).
Where possible, full-time positions will be offered. Where this is not possible, a 75% permanent part-year contract will be offered. This contract is restricted to 675 flying hours or 1410 duty hours per year. If these limits are exceeded, crew will avail of the daily rate published in the agreement. Exceedance of these limits is voluntary.
Because many more flexicrew will now be eligible for a permanent contract, there will be a transition period this year, with the aim of employing all the additional eligible pilots by the end of 2013.
During the transition period any flexicrew pilot who has achieved 1251 hours and 2 years flying for easyJet will join as a first officer. In addition, any pilot employed by easyJet on April 1st 2013 who had achieved 2000 easyJet factored hours by April 1st will be promoted to SFO, the company will shortly be providing more information to those who will benefit.
Following 2 years as a First Officer and 2501 easyJet factored hours, crew will be promoted to a Senior First Officer contract. This is a default fixed pattern roster contract. If an FO has been on a part-time contract and no full-time SFO positions are available within base, using the normal base transfer rules they may transfer to a base offering full-time positions in the normal manner if they so wish. If crew wish to remain on an FRV roster they may do so.
Upon promotion to command, the normal command contract will apply.
The new contracts will also apply to more experienced pilots who may be recruited directly into the rank of FO or SFO."