SIA Bonding Cancelled?

[wotwazat]

With reference to SIA's proposed cuts in pilots salaries and flying hours (and therefore further reduction in take home pay) am I the only person who is wondering about the implications for pilots training bonds?

When a pilot accepts a training bond he has to satisfy himself that he can expect to work for the employer for the period of the bond under the pay and conditions that are specified in his contract. He implicitly accepts that the rewards gained as a result of undergoing the training adequately compensate for the financial liability that he is undertaking. Included in the assessment of risk will be his potential to pay off the bond in the event that circumstances change and continuing with the employer becomes financially impossible.

It cannot be reasonable for an employer that bonds employees for a sum much higher than the industry average, and in many cases for a longer period, to seek to recover short term losses from the pockets of it's staff to the tune of 30% plus of take home pay! When the employer is self-proclaimedly one of the world's most profitable airlines with a history of large profits and never a loss, the short term attitude and extent of the proposed cuts amounts to bullying of those who do not have the option to go elsewhere.

The present agreement between the pilots and SIA states clearly that neither side can propose any alteration to the present agreement. (This no doubt suited the Company at the time as it meant pay was fixed for three years when profits were running high!)

The position is thus clear. The cost of the pilots to SIA is automatically reduced by virtue of the pay and allowances system as it stands, less flying = less pay. That is why it is designed that way. Any alterations are a matter for the negotiations for the next agreement which are due to start soon for implimentation in December. Last time the Company were happy for these to drag on for two years as the pilots were in need of an increase. Will they be happy for them to drag on this time when the Company is seeking a decrease?

In the mean time SIA will no doubt announce that all pilots are released from their training bonds and free to seek employment elsewhere. This will serve the double purpose of reducing over manning and reducing complaints from those who choose to stay. (don't hold your breath!)

Major companies around the world have to deal with the fluctuations in market conditions. Yes, these are exceptional conditions but SIA is an exceptional Company with excellent recovery potential (which is why is does not want to loose pilots).
It is time they took a broader view and stopped this short term, bottom line attack on the livelyhoods of their employees who are largely responsible for their success before and after SARS!