Strike at Airlink
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Strike at Airlink
Looks like RF blew off the union boys again yesterday. As the pilots have the certificate from the CCMA for a strike and a strike ballot, watch this space.
Be interesting to see if the guys will take their b
in there hands or lay back and take it. Understand a pilots meeting next week.
You would have thought as the guys are leaving in droves and he needs guys to fly the 146, he would be paying more attention. Not like he is gonna attract experience with what he pays.
Be interesting to see if the guys will take their b
in there hands or lay back and take it. Understand a pilots meeting next week.You would have thought as the guys are leaving in droves and he needs guys to fly the 146, he would be paying more attention. Not like he is gonna attract experience with what he pays.
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Avi8tor, you have that right!!! You pay peanuts and you get monkeys up front.
I think there are even guys turning them down now-a-days. That is something you never heard about!!?!Turning down an airline?
I think there are even guys turning them down now-a-days. That is something you never heard about!!?!Turning down an airline?
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Good luck guys - there's never been a better time to make a stand:
Solidarity and Airlink met on Sunday to try to prevent the air company's pilots from striking over wage increases on Monday, the trade union said. Solidarity's deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said on Sunday that attempts over the weekend to reach a settlement had failed. "After yesterday's [Saturday's] talks with them were not successful we had decided to proceed with the strike. But they then called us late on Saturday saying that they had a new proposal to put on the table. "At the moment I am not aware of what their new offer is as our negotiators are currently locked in a meeting with them. We will only have the full details after the meeting," said Hermann. He said the pilots want an increase because their salaries are about 30% below the industry average.
"Ninety five of the 112 pilots of Airlink are members of Solidarity and 100% of our members voted in favour of a strike," said Hermann. "If the strike action starts tomorrow [Monday] it will lead to a huge disruption at airports on Monday morning." Airlink flies from Johannesburg to more than 10 South African airports as well as destinations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and Madagascar. Solidarity is at present embroiled in six disputes with Airlink. Apart from the wage disputes at the roots of the impending strike, Hermann said the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration has issued two more strike certificates to the union. These disputes relate to the company's decision to change the retirement age from 65 to 60 years and a decision to cancel the insurance policy that pays out if a pilot loses his flying licence. "Our members are deeply unhappy with the company's treatment of its employees and that is why all 95 Solidarity members support the strike action," said Hermann.
"Ninety five of the 112 pilots of Airlink are members of Solidarity and 100% of our members voted in favour of a strike," said Hermann. "If the strike action starts tomorrow [Monday] it will lead to a huge disruption at airports on Monday morning." Airlink flies from Johannesburg to more than 10 South African airports as well as destinations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and Madagascar. Solidarity is at present embroiled in six disputes with Airlink. Apart from the wage disputes at the roots of the impending strike, Hermann said the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration has issued two more strike certificates to the union. These disputes relate to the company's decision to change the retirement age from 65 to 60 years and a decision to cancel the insurance policy that pays out if a pilot loses his flying licence. "Our members are deeply unhappy with the company's treatment of its employees and that is why all 95 Solidarity members support the strike action," said Hermann.
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RF. Khaya, etc. can learn a thing or two from Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric.
You should take bloody good care of the important people in an organistaion, the one's that love their jobs, and FIRE the moaners/whingers (some pilots fall in this category) and lazy bums (and unbelievably, I've found some pilots in this category as well!).
You should take bloody good care of the important people in an organistaion, the one's that love their jobs, and FIRE the moaners/whingers (some pilots fall in this category) and lazy bums (and unbelievably, I've found some pilots in this category as well!).
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Did You Really Win ?
Here is something to mul over
As when I was at Airlink there were more often than not successes over managemant regarding salaries. We all know RF is spineless and only wears the pants when the financing committe (wifey) says so, but heres the thing
We fight for salary increases and in the normal world this is good practice but what I came to see at Link is that it was done at the expence of the rest of the staff. Your plight to secure a liveable salary takes no-one else into account and is more often than not at the cost to other crew or engineers. Yes RF backs down but the rest of the other boys and girls loose out, so next time you idiots that remain demand from the cabin crew or engineers remember it is you that only play the team game when it suits you.
Another one of the many reasons I no longer work amongst you - I could not face my crew or colleges everyday knowing that that extra 500 bucks I just got was at the expence of someone who earns a tenth of my salary.
Everyone for themselves hey fers
You all deserve each other - but hey congrats
Think the coffee gonna get bitter
Is it only the union boys who are gonna get or will the scabs benefit aswell
As when I was at Airlink there were more often than not successes over managemant regarding salaries. We all know RF is spineless and only wears the pants when the financing committe (wifey) says so, but heres the thing
We fight for salary increases and in the normal world this is good practice but what I came to see at Link is that it was done at the expence of the rest of the staff. Your plight to secure a liveable salary takes no-one else into account and is more often than not at the cost to other crew or engineers. Yes RF backs down but the rest of the other boys and girls loose out, so next time you idiots that remain demand from the cabin crew or engineers remember it is you that only play the team game when it suits you.
Another one of the many reasons I no longer work amongst you - I could not face my crew or colleges everyday knowing that that extra 500 bucks I just got was at the expence of someone who earns a tenth of my salary.
Everyone for themselves hey f
ersYou all deserve each other - but hey congrats
Think the coffee gonna get bitter
Is it only the union boys who are gonna get or will the scabs benefit aswell
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We all know RF is spineless and only wears the pants when the financing committe (wifey) says so
Quite frankly it seems as if you have nothing good to say about your previous Airlink "colleges"...ummm I think you meant to say colleagues here...not so!
So with that in mind leave your bitterness out of the equation as my recollection of all my "colleges" at Airlink was that they were a fine bunch of individuals and enjoyed every minute of flying with each and everyone of them.
So good luck guys. You deserve what you have rightfully asked for for a very long time and once and for all stuck to your guns!
Sayswho you're obviously a bitter and twisted individual so be gone with you and hope you don't have to fight for better pay and conditions like your previous "colleges" have had to in your present place of employ wherever you may be!
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Just out of interest has RF managed to get crews for his new 146s yet?
And what's the story regarding training bonds at Airlink? Is Oom Rodger from the same school as Oom Vern?
Rgds
GT
And what's the story regarding training bonds at Airlink? Is Oom Rodger from the same school as Oom Vern?
Rgds
GT
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The dodger and ol uncle Vern most definitely went to the same school of dirty tricks. They even been known to share dodgy management lackeys just to make sure the thinking becomes inbred.
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Union Solidarity is not a pilots union you are correct.
For once, instead of moaning about things, and bitching, Airlink pilots did something about it. They stood their ground, and demanded what they wanted. They IMHO should be an example to the rest of the industry.
Thankfully the tide is turning and pilots are coming to terms with the fact that they dont have to sit and take it any longer, they do have rights and together they not only cannot get fired, but can demand better. I wonder how long it will be before pilots in other company's in SA, do the same. They dont have to be working for a local airline, but contract pilots, charter etc all have rights...
If I was abusing my pilots, pay and work conditions, I would have watched the Airlink story with much care and concern. As long as the aircraft are on the ground, the money stops. Well done Airlink pilots...!!!!
For once, instead of moaning about things, and bitching, Airlink pilots did something about it. They stood their ground, and demanded what they wanted. They IMHO should be an example to the rest of the industry.
Thankfully the tide is turning and pilots are coming to terms with the fact that they dont have to sit and take it any longer, they do have rights and together they not only cannot get fired, but can demand better. I wonder how long it will be before pilots in other company's in SA, do the same. They dont have to be working for a local airline, but contract pilots, charter etc all have rights...
If I was abusing my pilots, pay and work conditions, I would have watched the Airlink story with much care and concern. As long as the aircraft are on the ground, the money stops. Well done Airlink pilots...!!!!
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Sayswho - If the Link pilots get a good increase it almost brings them inline with the next lowest paid airline drivers. Do you think RF is going to drop the engineers and cabin crews salaries cos the pilots want to be inline with other airlines. I'm sure Link does just fine to afford the pilot increases. If the engineers and other crew feel they are being done in by Link then they should take similar action. If they win their battle do you think they'll cut the pilot salaries AGAIN to pay the cabin crew and engineers!!!! You're confused!
I feel for anyone who's not being paid their worth - crew and engineers but my pocket comes first and if I'm being done in I will fight for it.
Well done chaps (and chapesses) You deserve it!
Wish there was a union in the Chopper industry so we'd get paid our worth too.
I feel for anyone who's not being paid their worth - crew and engineers but my pocket comes first and if I'm being done in I will fight for it.
Well done chaps (and chapesses) You deserve it!
Wish there was a union in the Chopper industry so we'd get paid our worth too.
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Link pay
From a different point of view, I am still a contract driver. Looking at most Link pilots they are young guys like myself. I've turned down 2 Link interviews due to pay and do not regret it. I think its a nice setup, but...
Question: Why would you fly for an "airline" like yours and work for as little as you do? Why not stay/do contracts for 30-40k per month, pay off your house and nice car and wait for a more "suitable" airline to give you the call?
Yes some of you are married and need/want to be at home which is fair but not all.
You will fly in SA for the next 30odd years, how boring. Go see the world, make some money and put yourself in a better financial position.
Please air your views as to why you are where you are???
Regards
Question: Why would you fly for an "airline" like yours and work for as little as you do? Why not stay/do contracts for 30-40k per month, pay off your house and nice car and wait for a more "suitable" airline to give you the call?
Yes some of you are married and need/want to be at home which is fair but not all.
You will fly in SA for the next 30odd years, how boring. Go see the world, make some money and put yourself in a better financial position.
Please air your views as to why you are where you are???
Regards
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OLD pilots at Link?
Dear Beeech19, let me try to explain. Link is a bit of a strange place. It covers 2 different realms of
aviation. It is 'described' by some bitter people as a charter company. So be it. It certainly only
flies small airplanes, by world standards. But think of it, when you land in Frankfurt, and taxi
past the Lufthansa CRJ's, do you for a moment think anything "less" of their drivers? NO!
You know they are part of a great airline like the 600 drivers.
Link certainly IS an AIRLINE, although many similar bitter people would love to push you down
to convince you it isn't an airline. Remember, pilots LOVE to make other pilots feel inferior
to themselves.
That brings me to my point. At Airlink we have a strangely "Nice" crowd of pilots.
We have a noticeable lack of pilots who enjoy belittling and deriding other pilots for whatever
reason. No one seems to be able to explain why. I might add that I HAVE flown for a variety of
different organizations before, both airline and other. Further, as a colleague pointed out, most
all airline do have nice crews. True, I hope, because Link is not my final chapter. But it is a nice
company to work for.
Our pay now still leaves us at the bottom of the rest, but if you stay long enough with the company, you can make ends meet. No, you ain't gonna get wealthy, for that you go 'elsewhere'. But if you live the frugal lifestyle it is enjoyable. The actual flying is really good.
No, the enjoyable part does not come from the head office side, but we make it so amongst
ourselves.
aviation. It is 'described' by some bitter people as a charter company. So be it. It certainly only
flies small airplanes, by world standards. But think of it, when you land in Frankfurt, and taxi
past the Lufthansa CRJ's, do you for a moment think anything "less" of their drivers? NO!
You know they are part of a great airline like the 600 drivers.
Link certainly IS an AIRLINE, although many similar bitter people would love to push you down
to convince you it isn't an airline. Remember, pilots LOVE to make other pilots feel inferior
to themselves.
That brings me to my point. At Airlink we have a strangely "Nice" crowd of pilots.
We have a noticeable lack of pilots who enjoy belittling and deriding other pilots for whatever
reason. No one seems to be able to explain why. I might add that I HAVE flown for a variety of
different organizations before, both airline and other. Further, as a colleague pointed out, most
all airline do have nice crews. True, I hope, because Link is not my final chapter. But it is a nice
company to work for.
Our pay now still leaves us at the bottom of the rest, but if you stay long enough with the company, you can make ends meet. No, you ain't gonna get wealthy, for that you go 'elsewhere'. But if you live the frugal lifestyle it is enjoyable. The actual flying is really good.
No, the enjoyable part does not come from the head office side, but we make it so amongst
ourselves.
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Thats it
Well said!
Different strokes for different folks! Do what makes you happy and if your not happy find something to make you happy.
I hope you all get your increases good luck with the negotiations.
Different strokes for different folks! Do what makes you happy and if your not happy find something to make you happy.
I hope you all get your increases good luck with the negotiations.
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3rd Bogey, well said. As an ex Link driver myself, I found it a great place to work. Management was the only thorn in your side and an opportunity for real hands on flying.Non precision approaches up the ying yang but hell it was fun.
Good luck Linkers! You can do it!!!!!
Good luck Linkers! You can do it!!!!!