French ATC Strike 23/02/10

[5milesbaby]

Google Link (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hr3bMlnDBqOYhHRiX1gCvE9aCGsA)

NY Times Link (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/23/business/AP-EU-France-AirportStr.html)

Quite surprised there isn't anything else about this, FOUR DAY STRIKE! about European ATC Integration. Thats got to be a big finger in the direction of the FABEC Program.

Anyone got any more news on this?

5mb :ok:

[aldegar]

My support to our french colleagues.

Good luck :ok:

[criss]

Five unions of air traffic controllers

Must be a thriving company then...

[Avman]

FABEC is not that different to the original EUROCONTROL concept when it was founded in 1960 - until French and Brit politics got in the way. If you ignore the FABEC propaganda machine you will find that there is quite some resistance to it from a number of areas, not least the French.

[Blockla]

Very interesting Dichotomy:

French ATC effectively a day into 4 day strike, 4 posts...

Irish ATC 4 hour stopwork, 100 posts before the action even commences...

Not a single comment about wages either...

[eagleflyer]

is a great concept and seems to be working just fine. Put all Central European ATM providers into an agency like Eurocontrol, make it a non-profit-organisation, et voilà, we would be in a better situation than today.
Yet I doubt to see anything like it in my career...

[west atc]

Very interesting Dichotomy:

French ATC effectively a day into 4 day strike, 4 posts...

Irish ATC 4 hour stopwork, 100 posts before the action even commences...

Not a single comment about wages either...

Bet there will be no comment from MOL either, he doesn't have the guts to take on the French! :mad:

[EBBU]

As far as I understand what is going on in France :

Part of the unions in France are opposed to any reform of the european ATC landscape. The people on strike want to keep the situation unchanged.
I also heard that the strike is an attempt to undermine the MOSAIC project which is supported by several professional ATCO associations representing controllers from several FABEC states... (Some unions appear to feel threatened by these professional associations).

Does anyone know if this is a correct representation of what is going on? (Just looking for some confirmation here...)

more about MOSAIC : MOSAIC Objectives & Charter | MOSAIC (http://www.project-mosaic.eu/objectives)

[criss]

Very interesting Dichotomy:

French ATC effectively a day into 4 day strike, 4 posts...

Irish ATC 4 hour stopwork, 100 posts before the action even commences...

Maybe people are more used to French being on strike, and it hardly makes news...

The people on strike want to keep the situation unchanged.

Isn't that usually the case?

[SkyscrapeR2]

Hello fellow controllers and fellow pilots,
I'm going to give you some elements to understand why there is a the strike. I can't help you so much because I'm a all-new student.
There are many reasons for the strike. I can remember somes, that concerns me and that I can understand.
#What is different in France is that french controllers are not just controllers , we are called the "engineers of air navigation" (=ICNA) : we have a 3 years initial training, in order to be multiratings qualified (twr,app,acc) and to work in research centers, technical centers, management, ect. There are air traffic controllers that have been manager of en-route center. The training in other countries doesn't seem to be so wide as the french training.
#Another problem with integration of air navigation service providers, is that this project is going to split upper and inferior airspace. So at the end, there will be a big compagny for en-route, which is very profitable by nature, all over europe central and app,twr will be left to governements or compagnies.. (medium an small approach are not profit-making). A part from an interest of profit, as for me i don't see any gain of safety which is the aim of air traffic control.
#Unions that are on strike says they would prefer a cooperation model with strenghened ties and links with other ANSPs to promote safety and more direct routes.

NB :
-the french ICNAs have the cheapest rates in en-toute taxes in Europe in comparison with other big ANSPs in Europe. And the government don't spend any money for atc because the taxes just cover the cost of personels, maintenance, ect..
-ICNAs earn between 20% to 50% less than other air traffic controllers in Europe

That's all I can say, because i don't know so much. I hope it will help you understand.

As for me : I prefer to earn 50% less than other air traffic controllers and to be a civil servant, and to be only motivated by safety, but that's my point of view...

see ya

[Lon More]

Put all Central European ATM providers into an agency like Eurocontrol, They are mostly already "in". The problem dates back to Eurocontrol's beginnings in the 1960s when France and the UK decided not to delegate their UAS.Had this gone ahead, and the other States followed, European Airspace would not be the mess it is today. Re-location of staff would also probably be easier, so nobody would be complaining about the alleged salaries earned in Ireland and Spain

All many members are interested in is User Charges collection and CFMU.

[matsATC]

I don't really understand why you are still against FABEC/MOSAIC?
Last month, I read in a communiqué that "DGAC staff will retain their status as officials working for France's public service corps, and maintain their mobility in various directions and be integrated into the European structures of FABEC by means of temporary posting or secondment."

-ICNAs earn between 20% to 50% less than other air traffic controllers in Europe

I'm not very well informed, but I think you're way better off than your northern neighbours. But then again, compared to some other neighbours, this might be true...

[Two-Tone-Blue]

Not much new here, from my memories from the 1970's. :uhoh:

[aluminium persuader]

... and no mention of David Gunson?!

:E

[makosa]

@matsATC

I agree with you, but the majority of the unions are just STUPID here

[5milesbaby]

aluminium persuader - trust me, there were many jokes recalled during the night shift that the strike began in to keep that alive for a while!!

"Bonjour Pierre, I have 3 for you......." :}

[FrenchATCO]

Hello guys,

as a french ATCO working in Paris ACC , let me try to explain to you what's going on here in France :
First of all what's the Civil Aviation in France:
12000 people working as civil servants with :
- 4400 ATCOs (ACC, appoachs and tower)
- 1500 IESSA (ATSEP or electronician engenneers)
- 1800 "Technicians " (including about 300 working as controllers on airports most usually VFR or with light IFR traffic)
- 1000 engeneers
- 1000 office workers
...
Regarding the Unions:
the most powerful one is the SNCTA only representing ATCOs and with the majority in that category (55% in last elections) (i'm part of that union)
Then you have unions well known in every other sector in France like CGT , FO and CFDT . They can represent every person in every one of the different category... the "1st" one is CGT (2nd union for ATCOs with almost 30% in last election and 1st for the whole civil aviation).
CGT ,FO,and 3 others unions (one representing electronicians) decided to go on strike for 4 days to fight the recent political announcement to work about creating an INTEGRATED FABEC instead of a COOPERATIVE FABEC.
The integrated FABEC is the main project of my union (SNCTA) , one other union and plenty of unions in the 5 others countries of the FABEC...
We are really divided today here in France:
- some think we can create the Fabec while fighting competition by creating the 1st civil service organisation (only one new provider in the FABEC = integration): that's the idea of SNCTA , SATAC(union of technicians) and unions all other the other countries..
- on the other side CGT , FO and other unions think almost...the opposite. This integrated FABEC could lead to less social working conditions,,,risk of privatizing support jobs etc etc... They just want to continue to "cooperate".

I have to say i'm part of those who think we have to propose our future even if it's not so easy...we have at least to think about that possibility of creating that integrated FABEC. If it's not possible or to risky (after large discussions) then ok..
But CGT,FO and other don't want to talk about that possibilty and refuse the French gvt decision to launch work about that...
I must admit I don't understand that position as also a lot of my colleagues !

[bruman]

I believe its a strike against MOSAIC project, but I think they dont really know the benefits of this project.
1 Ansp with european civil servent status, I am in favor because everybody in the surrounding states have it better then we.;)

[Aviator_IT]

When the strike will end tomorrow? Will the 10 am flights be on time?

[FrenchATCO]

Hi,

Bruman : i agree with you... As you seem to be from Belgium, CGT and others unions that started that strike told 1st belgium union is against the integrated FABEC :
http://www.usac-cgt.org/Nouveau_Site/Protocole/PDF/2010/2010_02_12_FGTB_FABEC.pdf
They say that for controllers it's not an union but a "guilde" so they don't talk about their point of view...and they don't talk about what the others unions from all other countries think...like GDF in Germany, TUEM in Maastricht etc etc...

Aviator IT : it will end tomorrow saturday 6am so no problem after

[On the beach]

And what will it have achieved? Absolutely nothing, apart from alienating Air Traffic from the general public totally unnecessarily and making the rest of us professionals think "What a bunch of unprofessional :mad:, you French are!"

On the beach :ugh:

[Lon More]

Not much new here, from my memories from the 1970's

at least this mistake (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%200641.html) wasn't repeated

[flowman]

The timing of the strike can be explained by the fact that there was a meeting in Madrid at the same time of senior Euro types to discuss the Single European Sky.

The press release from the European Commission is as follows (scroll down for English):

Communication de la Commission européenne

Bruxelles, le 26 février 2010
Ciel unique européen: les Européens s'engagent par la déclaration de Madrid à rendre le transport aérien plus propre, plus sûr et plus performant

Lors d'une conférence à haut niveau organisée hier et aujourd'hui à Madrid sous les auspices de la Commission européenne et de la présidence espagnole, tous les acteurs du secteur aéronautique européen ont décidé de dynamiser la mise en œuvre de la législation sur le ciel unique européen pour l'achever dans les délais. Cette législation est cruciale pour l'avenir de l'aviation européenne. Elle permettra de diminuer de 50 % le coût des vols et de 10 % leur incidence environnementale, et d'améliorer la capacité et les résultats déjà très bons en matière de sécurité dans l'espace aérien européen. Le vice-président, Siim Kallas, responsable des transports, a déclaré: «Le temps de la réflexion est terminé. L'Europe pâtit sérieusement du coût du morcellement. Nous devons passer à l'action et proposer d'ici à 2012 un espace aérien unifié, plus sûr, plus performant et plus durable pour l'Europe. Je salue les résultats d'aujourd'hui.»

La conférence à haut niveau organisée à Madrid les 25 et 26 février vient de donner l'élan nécessaire à la mise en œuvre effective et intégrale, d'ici à 2012, du 2 e paquet sur le ciel unique, adopté en novembre 2009 par le Parlement européen et le Conseil en un temps record. La révision du ciel unique européen a été lancée en 2004 pour réorganiser le ciel européen en fonction des flux de circulation aérienne et non en fonction des frontières nationales.

De nombreux participants étaient présents à la conférence: des représentants des institutions et des États membres de l'Union européenne, des pays tiers associés aux projets «ciel unique européen», des autorités militaires, de la Commission européenne de l'aviation civile, d'Eurocontrol, de l'Agence européenne de la sécurité aérienne, de l'entreprise commune SESAR, des organismes professionnels de représentation du personnel, des prestataires européens de services de navigation aérienne, des constructeurs européens, des associations d'utilisateurs de l'espace aérien, des exploitants d'aéroports, et d'autres représentants du secteur aéronautique européen.

En adoptant la déclaration de Madrid, les participants de la conférence ont reconnu qu'il est primordial de mettre en place le ciel unique européen pour l'avenir de l'aviation européenne. La déclaration de Madrid traduit les cinq priorités du ciel unique européen en actions concrètes concernant:

un nouveau cadre réglementaire reposant sur l'efficacité de la gouvernance et sur une gestion du trafic aérien fondée sur les résultats;

les normes de sécurité les plus élevées possibles;

les technologies les plus pointues en Europe;

la gestion de l'infrastructure selon une approche de «porte-à-porte»;

le facteur humain;

Des actions concrètes doivent être mises en œuvre en fonction des priorités, avec des délais serrés et en définissant clairement qui fait quoi.

La feuille de route concerne les points suivants:

mettre en œuvre le système d'amélioration des performances , pierre angulaire de l'ensemble de la législation, destiné à imposer des objectifs contraignants aux États membres dans les domaines clés de performance, à savoir la sécurité, le respect de l'environnement, la capacité de l'espace aérien et la rentabilité. Les passagers aériens devraient bientôt bénéficier d'un mode de transport plus ponctuel , plus propre , moins coûteux et plus efficace , avec un niveau de sécurité au moins égal;

donner la priorité à la dimension humaine en mettant l'accent sur le dialogue social, sur la transparence de l'information comme moyen de renforcer la sécurité et sur la formation des contrôleurs pour maintenir et consolider les compétences qui, associées à la licence européenne, leur permettront de travailler;

faire mettre en œuvre par les États membres des blocs d'espace aérien fonctionnels pour réorganiser l'espace aérien en blocs définis selon les exigences opérationnelles et les besoins des compagnies aériennes et non selon les frontières nationales. Cette réorganisation contribuera à remédier au morcellement de l'espace aérien et devrait permettre de réaliser des économies d'échelle importantes;

encourager la coopération entre civils et militaires , essentielle pour l'aboutissement du ciel unique européen;

établir une fonction européenne centrale de gestion du réseau, destinée à garantir la cohésion du réseau européen et des objectifs de performance;

renforcer la sécurité du réseau grâce à l'attribution à l'AESA des compétences relatives à l'ATM et à l'activité aéroportuaire, pour aborder la sécurité selon les critères de réseau intégral et de porte-à-porte;

concrétiser le «pilier» technologique par un ambitieux programme européen (SESAR) destiné à coordonner le remplacement de toutes les infrastructures obsolètes en Europe par de nouveaux produits et équipements qui permettront aux États membres des fournir des services de navigation aérienne plus efficaces, plus ponctuels, plus propres et plus sûrs;

étendre la législation sur le ciel unique européen aux pays tiers au profit du réseau

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Communication from the European Commission

Brussels, 26 February 2010

Single European Sky: Europeans commit to a greener, safer and more performant aviation in the Madrid Declaration

In a high-level Conference held in Madrid yesterday and today under the auspices of the European Commission and the Spanish Presidency, all stakeholders of the European aviation community agreed to give the necessary impetus to a timely implementation of the Single European Sky. The Single European Sky is of utmost importance for the future of European aviation. It will cut the cost of flying in half, decrease the environmental impact of flights by 10%, and improve capacity and the already very high safety record of European airspace. Vice-President Siim Kallas, in charge of transport policy, highlighted: "Time for reflection is over. Europe is paying dearly the costs of fragmentation. We now need to act and deliver a seamless, safer, more performant and sustainable single sky for Europe by 2012. I welcome today's results".

Following the adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the 'Single Sky Package (SES) II' in record time in November 2009, the high-level conference held in Madrid on 25 and 26 February gave the necessary impetus to its concrete and full implementation by 2012. The Single European Sky reform was initially launched in 2004 to redesign the European sky according to traffic flows rather than national borders.

The conference was widely attended by representatives of the institutions and Member States of the European Union, third countries associated to the Single European Sky projects, military authorities, the European Civil Aviation Conference, Eurocontrol, the European Aviation Safety Agency, the SESAR joint undertaking, the professional staff representative bodies, the European air navigation service providers, the European manufacturing industry, the airspace user associations, the airports operators, and other representatives of the European aviation community.

Through the adoption of the Madrid Declaration, the participants in the conference agreed that delivering the Single European Sky is of utmost importance for the future of European aviation. The Madrid Declaration translates the 5 priorities of the Single European Sky into concrete actions on:

a new regulatory framework based on efficient governance and performance-based air traffic management;

the highest safety standards;

the most advanced technology in Europe;

the integration of the infrastructure in 'gate-to-gate' approach;

the human factor.

Concrete actions are to be implemented, prioritised, with challenging deadlines and a clear identification of 'who does what'.

This roadmap addresses:

the implementation of the performance scheme, the keystone of the entire package, which aims at setting binding targets on Member States in the key performance areas of safety, environment, airspace capacity and cost efficiency. Air travellers should soon benefit from a punctual, greener and more cost efficient mode of transport with a maintained or even enhanced level of safety;

the priority to be given to the human factor dimension with a focus on social dialogue, open reporting as a means to increase safety, training of controllers to maintain and increase their competence which, together with the European license, will allow them to work;

the implementation by Member States of functional blocks of airspace , designing the airspace in blocks that correspond to operational requirements and the needs of airlines rather than national borders. This will contribute to the defragmentation of airspace and should allow substantial economies of scale;

the civil–military cooperation , a crucial element for the success of the Single European Sky;

the establishment of a central, European, network management function aiming at ensuring cohesion of the European network and of the performance targets;

the strengthening of the safety of the network through the extension of EASA competences to air traffic management and airport, thus ensuring a "full system, gate-to-gate", approach to safety;

t he technological "pillar" materialised by an ambitious European programme (SESAR) aiming at replacing in a coordinated way throughout Europe an obsolete infrastructure by new products and equipments that will allow Member States to provide more efficient, more punctual, greener and safer air navigation services;

the extension of the Single European Sky to non-EU states for the benefit of the network.

The reason for the strike, as you have read from other posters, is to say "NON!" to the above.

Could be interesting times ahead.

[SINGAPURCANAC]

Could be interesting times ahead. 27th February 2010 13:07
The only interesting thing that may come is that SINGA would eat those papers without salt and bread if they achieve:
It will cut the cost of flying in half, decrease the environmental impact of flights by 10%,

[criss]

Could be interesting times ahead.

Probably not. Will end the same as Lisbon Declaration - after ten years authorities will start thinking why it all didn't work out.

[flowman]

Okay, I'll spell it out for you. By "interesting" I mean that there will probably be lots more industrial action.:rolleyes:

[criss]

So you actually mean nothing will change :E