Bristow Pay Deal
 

Rumour has it that Bristow pilots are about to ballot on a sub standard pay deal.

Seems the management have done the usual shafting trick on the workers. MD has already got his nose in the share trough.

Pilots have received propaganda mailing from management trying to spin its poor deal. And would you believe it!! Some are already thinking that they might accept!! Probably the older guys with 20 years in the company who still think that 'good ole Bristow' will still look after them! Yeah, right!!

The Scotia guys got it right when they said that Bristow pilots are a bunch of wimps!! Not prepared to stand up and demand what they deserve!

What a load of pussies!!!

the cat

Cat,

There is only one 'couple' that I know of who fit the category of some members in Bristow who are likely to accept the offer. These two, who do have in excess of 20 years in the company, regularly network with management and I can assure you are the exception. Watch this space!!

Now crawl back into the hole you came out of, which I suspect is your ar5ehole.

Leaky Valve

Leaky

Now, now!! Are you one of the two you mention? I see you don't argue the fact that Bristow pilots are wimps?

Seeing you got personal; if you are a Bristow pilot, will you be a pussy and vote yes??

the cat

What is the deal on offer ?? And what are the pilot work force asking for ??

:ok:

Cat,

Is this some sort of reverse pyschology thing?

Are you really a Bristow pilot who is trying to rally the troops?

Anyway, I am and I think the deal is great. I would happily sell my house and all its contents to support the management of Bristow.

See ya pussy!

TMP.

Come on then guys, tell us all, what is the deal on offer?

Scotia were honest and I seem to recall were fairly happy to tell the other ABZ pilots what their offer was. Bristows have copied Scotia before, are they doing the same again or selling themselves short?

PS psychology is spelt psychology.

OK Pay Deal is as follows, apologies in advance for those anal ones amongst us who feel the need to correct spelling mistakes, there may be a phew.

4.7% first year
3% or RPI for years two and three.

Loss of License for all pilots - Captains £120k CoPilots £80k

Small increase in various allowances and a load of intentions to look at various things like share schemes, salary sacrifice, equal time rostering.

Anyway, due to the usual lack of concenus amongst the BHL pilots I have consulted my Magic 8 Ball and asked if the deal will be accepted by the botherhood and it said "it is decidely so".

So there you have it, its a done deal.

Many haven't even seen the proposed offer yet, but the CC are saying that it is a poor offer from the company, and to reject it. Rumour has it that it comes nowhere near to the Scotia deal, both in monetary and pension terms.

It appears that although Bristow has evidently had its best yearly performance for a long while, the new management culture is to continue where the last one left off, keep all the money for itself and stuff the workforce!

Not a bad deal, fairly similar to ours so can't see what the fuss in the initial posting was about.

All the best on the equal time roster.

Sorry about correcting the spelling but with a degree in psychology the only thing I learnt in 4 years was how to spell it. Also that it contained the word Cholo which was the name of the student union bar, but it must have been a dull day to notice that.

bRISTOW pAY NEGOTIATIONS
 

Bristow signed an agreement with BALPA to negotiate solely with BALPA on issues of aircrew pay and allowances.

This summer, after an INITIAL negotiation, the BALPA Company Council for Bristow recommended that members reject the Company's first offer. There is a formal, properly frameworked and regulated way of proceeding. The Company seems to have chosen to ignore this.

It appears that the Company is appealing directly to employees to accept their first offer. The procedures of publicizing the positions of the Company and the Union seem to have been ignored by the Company.

As a Bristow pilot in Den Helder, Holland, I am left in limbo. That a 'responsible' employer should apparently ignore the formal, agreed negotiating procedures when it doesn't suit the management beggars belief as a mode of industrial behaviour. Confusion and misrepresentation ensue. Are we adults or children?

If Bristow aircrew allow the Company to sideline BALPA at the Company's whim, then we employees deserve all the abuse we will get for the foreseeable future. We will have abandoned the one body which has the clout to stick up for us.

Clive Roberts
AS332L pilot
Bristow Den Helder

And well done Clive for having the balls to post your real name on this forum.....
My hats off to you..and I totally agree with what you said.
and no I don't work for Bristows (wouldn't want to either)....
Good luck with the pay deal.

Tell them to stick it :yuk:

Bristow vs CHC Scotia Pay Deals
 

OK, here we go!

Pay.
Bristow
3yr deal
Yr1 4.7%
Yr2 3.0% or RPI(June) whichever is higher
Yr3 3.0% or RPI(June) whichever is higher

CHC Scotia
5yr deal
Yr1 5.0% plus one of 2% bonus
Yr2 4%
Yr3 3.5% or RPI whichever is higher
Yr4 RPI + 1%
Yr5 RPI + 1.25%

Yr 1 2008 BHL £67853 CHC £68879
Yr 5 2008 BHL £71879 CHC £72966
Yr 10 2008 BHL £76910 CHC £78074
Yr 17 2008 BHL £83955 CHC £85226


Pension.
Bristow DC scheme only, max company contribution 7%

CHC Scotia DC scheme (for first 5 years) 7% + Pension Exchange/Salary Sacrifice. Final Salary scheme thereafter, approx 15% min contribution

Offshore Allowance.
Bristow £100 for all

CHC £177 for Capts
£128 for SFOs
£112 for FOs

Equal Time Roster.
Bristow May occur March 2006, if roster meets five company requirements.

CHC Starts 10th October 2005

Prof Allowances.
Bristow
LTC £2900 (up from £1566)
TRE/IRE £5800 (up from £4448)

CHC
LTC 8% of salary (circa £5553 for yr 10)
TRE/IRE 14% (circa £9715)

Loss of Licence.
Bristow
Capts £120,000 subject to tax and NI
Copilots £80,000 ditto
Scheme is part insured and part self indemnified by company. Payout subject to insurance company's decision; ie if insurance won't pay out, company will not pay the balance. No PHI element.

Basically, the BHL deal is below CHC's on every element. BHL WILL NOT increase pension contributions above 7% (approx 50% of the aviation norm of 14 to 15%). Therefore the only way to acheive parity with CHC will be through basic pay. A detachment agreement, that was included in the original claim, has been changed (by the company) beyond recognition, mostly AFTER the negotiations with the BALPA CC had been concluded! Not an ethical or professional way of conducting business!

The deal is sub standard and should be rejected unanimously.

I prefer it when they say " Loss of Licence 2.5 x salary" - makes it sound a lot more generous. The fact that it is capped at £80k or £120k is just small print !!

I can't believe we're all debating whether the pilots are going to accept or decline this deal. We've all played the game before. Reject the first offer - management pretends that it can squeeze just a little bit more out of the pot if we're all prepared to struggle. Second offer is put on the table with minor tweaks, and we all accept it.

Everyone's a winner - Pilots get a little bit more, Balpa looks like it actually won something over the companies original offer, and management get a big bonus for every pound they saved over and above what they were prepared to offer.

Still a bit surprised in the current market, they didn't offer a little bit more with the first offer - Amazing how I still don't seem to have learned anything !

Don't let this opportunity slip away..
 

The oil business is booming, it's almost impossible to get hold of qualified pilots, will there ever be a chance like this again to get a decent deal? And not only am I talking percentages on the pay scale, but especially rostering and pensions.

BALPA can probably do some of the talking, but in the end you have to make your own day. And remember, it's not the BALPA representative that gets to spends 800 hrs a year out in the north sea. So where is the motivation?

I for one back the Bristow Company Council and hope that all will reject the current offer and as many offers as they have to until a fair and reasonable deal is struck.........

and a little support from our fellow aviators on the north sea would be nice......(cat)

i can assure you that the current feeling within the BHL main base is a bitter one and that the clear majority will agree with the BALPA CC ......... a negative vote on the ballot!!!!!!!!!

Bright eyed but not so bushy tailed
 

How come everytime I figure out where I want to aspire to, one of you lot are full of doom and gloom and reckon that I would have to be a pussy, or desperate, or prepared to take it in some oriface or other?

Come on then, where SHOULD I work?

Who should I work for?

Who do you happy ones work for?

Is the only reason to be a high hourer the fact that the carpet burns on my knees should have healed by then?

Clive,

Well said!! I concur.


I'm convinced that the HR Director had a more than justifiable input to the Company's pay proposals. He seems to be dictating a little more of Company policy than is healthy and the Board, for some inexplicable reason, is allowing him. The removal of that evil little man would go some considerable way to improving morale and emloyer/employee relationships within the Company. One suitable place for relocation would be Rockall, accompanied by Cat, who would provide adequate companionship. They both appear to have the same malicious personal qualities and ROCKALL between the ears.

Bristow Pilots are dealing with OLOG remember!
 

Please to recall that it was reported OLOG/Air Log Management in the USA developed a snitch on the Union Negotiating Committee and once uncovered, provided him with a Management Position.

That is the kind of folks you just might be dealing with. Read back on the Air Log Pilot's CBA thread and see how that negotiation went. It might give you some idea of what lengths the OLOG management will go in fighting the a union.

But....all is fair in love and war is it not? It would be only natural for management to resist giving any more pay or benefits increase than absolutely necessary just as it is normal for the working stiffs to try to obtain as much as possible.

If you want it....you will have to fight for it....it certainly will not drop into your hands like Manna from Heaven.

LV,

Are you suggesting someone is meddling in water over his head?

Add Tyreburst to that list of cast on Gilligan's Island and you will get my vote too!

Offtrack.

The BALPA principle negotiator may not be a pilot, but the team consisted of two others, both North Sea pilots, who do spend 600 to 700 hours over the wet stuff every year. So motivation is not an issue; believe me, there's plenty of that!

You are correct in saying that the oil business is booming. Both CHC and Bristow Ops Directors have '200 to 300 CVs' in their respective drawers. The fact that these are the same CVs (and probably include Alan Bristow's original CV!),doesn't mean that there are 300 wanabes out there. A few weeks ago, there were only about 6 suitable applicants in each of those drawers; no doubt the same six! CHC are so short of pilots that they are willing to poach pilots from other companies and buy training bonds!

With the oil price as high as it is, and soon to go higher again with Rita, the oil companies are throwing lots of money into exploration (big Gordon Brown doesn't get as much tax then!). Drilling rigs are being hired out at double the rates they were last year. I understand, from various sources, that the oil companies will need every helicopter they can lay their hands on during the next 3 to 5 years. With only three operators on the UK North Sea, all operating at maximum, no spare aircraft AND a shortage of suitable pilots......Yes we should seize this chance with both hands, and not let go until the Ts & Cs are what we want/deserve/aspire to.

Missing Piece.

Are you the Bristow pilot using reverse psychology to rally the troops? Do you really believe it is a 'good deal'? Because very few other Bristow pilots would agree with you. Have you read all the details, including the 'small print'? I doubt it!

One further item of note. Bristow's sister company, FBH, are also in dispute over pay and conditions. FBH run the training schools at Middle Wallop and Shawbury. So it would appear that the BHL board are going to be fighting the troops on two fronts!

bondu

Gerbil_Racer
Work where ever You will feel happy!! Go have a talk at different levels. If you get a good feeling, great go there. Because there are people in all companies that have fun in what they are doing (so great to work with) and people who can never have enough for as little as possible work (sometimes a pain in the B to work with) At the end the difference is not so big, if you have fun at your work!! I for one have had a great 12 years at where I work.
Also with the minor downs. But I still have the best job in the world

Bondu,

Lighten up man!

The comment was followed by another saying that I would sell my house and all its contents to support BHL Management. Just for the record, in case you missed the sarcasm , I wouldn't. It was an appropriate reply to the Cat's inane drivel.

I'm with you brother, let's break out the oil drums and form that picket line! (I'll be voting no).

Missing Piece.

OK, OK! Truce? I think we are on the same side!!

bondu

Are there any rosters which allow one to work out of ABZ and live elsewhere in the UK or is that predominantly for the Shetland crews? Slightly off thread so feel free to PM me if you'd rather.

Scotia's new roster which starts on Oct 10 is 7 on 7 off but they have specifically stated it is not a commuting roster. Don't know how they will police that though.

The guys based on the 40's do 14 days on 14 days off and a few of them live in sunny Spain. If you have a Dauphin rating and will live on a rust bucket scattered with aspestos (recent allegation) I am sure someone will bite your hand off.

I am just a lowly cojo though so that is speculation not a job offer.

Reality check?
 

Hi chaps,

I don’t often post but as I have several buddies at Bristows I got a bit interested in this thread. At the risk of being sent to Rockall as well I felt compelled to make a few “real world” observations on some of the comments:

“the new management culture is to continue where the last one left off, keep all the money for itself”

So Bristow’s nice new EC225’s were free then???

“The oil business is booming”…”with the oil price as high as it is, and soon to go higher again”

And the helicopter operators are raking in the extra profit as the oil company’s fall over themselves to offer higher rates to helicopter operators! NOT. Some basic market research suggests that quite the opposite might be true.

“it's not the BALPA representative that gets to spends 800 hrs a year out in the north sea”…

Wow, Bristow pilots all hit the FTL max! Second jobs all round then!

”…both North Sea pilots, who do spend 600 to 700 hours”

…ahhh, this is probably closer to the truth!

“Equal Time Roster - Bristow may occur March 2006, if roster meets five company requirements, CHC Starts 10th October 2005”

Hang on a minute - will this be all it’s cracked up to be – or will the company feel obliged to call you at all hours during your duty time? Probably OK if you’re working in the back of beyond but if you are at home I suggest that you might like to keep that diary totally clear during duty time...and don’t stray too far from the phone!

“The guys based on the 40's do 14 days on 14 days off and a few of them live in sunny Spain.”

If I was wavering before now I’m right behind your case for an increased pay offer!

“I'm with you brother, let's break out the oil drums and form that picket line!”

…and watch those messages of support for your cause pour in from the oil company’s; “no problem boys & girls, you just let us know when it’s all settled and we’ll fit our crew changes in around you…in the meantime we’ve got some contracts to cancel…”

Surely we aren’t really this divorced from the real world, are we?

Anyway, got to go and pack now. Will I need sunblock on Rockall at this time of year!

By Golly, Bristow must have retained old Homer Deakins for this one too!

Cancel contracts because of a rate increase to pay for increased staff pay and allowances?

Name one instance of that ever happening anywhere in the world's oil patches!

Scotsheli,

You sound like a decent enough character and I wouldn't suggest you go to rockall for one minute. However, if you insist, not only will you require sunblock you will also need enough bricks and mortar to build a wall high enough to stop the other two clowns from climbing over and interfering with you.

Hello Scotsheli,


No need for you to go anywhere, it is good to have different opinions! Here is mine regarding some of your point:


I don’t think this is how it works. A helicopter operator does not buy a new type and then hope an oil company will use it and pay the higher rate. The helicopter type is always specified in the tender for a contract and will (should) be priced accordingly. It is the oil companies who are paying for the modernisation of fleets, not the operator.



It is certainly true that the oil companies will try to keep the extra profits for themselves as much as possible (as would any other well run company) but if there is a substantial increase in flying activity which is well beyond the contracted flying hours then there is certainly room for negotiations. Also ad-hoc flying is sold at a premium rate if the oil companies are lucky enough to find an operator with the spare capacity.



This might have some bearing if a contract is just up for renewal. However as has been said before, I don’t remember an oil company ever cancelling a contract for that reason? (has there ever been a cancellation of a contract in the North Sea for any reason?)



The rest of your comments seem to suggest that you think all those North Sea part-timers are already having the time of their life and any improvement in pay and benefits is taking the pi$$. No idea what your background and current position is but maybe your “benchmark” needs to adjust?


Someone some time ago said that nothing is truly objective! (We are still waiting for this twin of his returning from his light speed journey through space to prove the point!) Therefore your “real world” does not necessarily have to match the North Sea one and as you are not directly affected yours should just remain as is – good for you if that is what you seek. Others think remaining still is going backwards.

Scotsheli.

If the drilling companies can increase rates by 100% why can't the heli operators? The only reason, at the moment, is the lack of backbone in the senior management ranks!!
We are classic 'price takers', to use the economists' term. When will that change?

As for the EC225s; BHL are 'exchanging' 5x AS332Ls for the 2x EC225s. The oil companies are impressed so far with the 225's performance, and BHL may well have to order more sooner rather than later.

bondu

I know this is a rumour network but a few of the rumours need clarifying.

The CHC 40s roster is 15 on 13 off with a daily allowance of £40:{

There are no vacancies at the moment as contractors have been recruited to fill the gaps as very few permanent staff want to spend 15 days living away from home.

Nobody lives in Spain.

What is aspestos:confused: (spelling police:E )

HF

HF

Is that £40 taxed?

Cyclic

The allowance is taxed:(

What in the UK isn't nowadays and I am sure as Brown's finances shrink he will think of a lot more things to tax after all he taxes the tax on petrol!!!

HF

'What isn't taxed in UK?'

I'm sure all the UK pilots are now aware that Gordon has got his beady eye on Loss of Licence. It would appear that all payouts made for LoL will now attract tax and NI to a total, for most of us, of 42%. So those who expected to get £100,000 will only receive £58,000. Doesn't sound quite so good now does it?

BTW, the equal time rosters that have been proposed at BHL are not the same as those at CHC. BHL are looking at the 5/2/5/9/5/2/6/8 (42 day) routine alongside a 5/2/5/4/5/9, (30 day cycle). The 7/7 routine didn't produce the required numbers on weekdays that are required by Operations. With 42 pilots on the 42 day cycle and 30 on the 30 day, BHL can man all their aircraft with allowance for training and sick days.

bondu

HF
"The CHC 40s roster is 15 on 13 off with a daily allowance of £40 "

Sorry, I thought it was 14/14, not too far off.

"There are no vacancies at the moment as contractors have been recruited to fill the gaps as very few permanent staff want to spend 15 days living away from home."

Ahh, Now I actually specifically said it wasn't a job offer but one or two of the newer pilots out there thought they would be based onshore and doing occasional trips to the 40's as cover. As you say, "very few permanent staff want to spend 15 days away from home" my point was that if someone offered to do just that then surely he would at least get an interview?

"Nobody lives in Spain."

Spain, Portugal, France........whatever, I can't keep track of all the holiday homes but it is somewhere sunnier that ABZ

"What is aspestos (spelling police ) "

Apologies, Asbestos. But that is only a rumour even when spelt correctly.

Wow,

is this 24 hours standby duty? Someone please tell these guys out there where the rest of the world is going. Suggest they make it 7 on 14 off and triple the allowance.

For all of you in Scotia, do you get a vacation with the 5-2-5-9 roster?

What would the start salary for a newly hired Co-Pilot be with CHC Aberdeen should he/she be brought on with a few thousand hours and an IR.

Just curious, thanks.

Kangia,

Following the latest pay deal, my spies tell me that a pilot with over 3000 hours should get about £50k on completion of training. An IR is a real bonus towards getting a job but does not effect salaries as everybody has one!:ok:

Command could definately take 5 years though.

Wiz

Thanks Wizzard.

That sounds a pretty good deal.

Ballot on Pay Deal
 

Just to keep everyone in the picture!
The company's offer is out to ballot at the moment. Ballot closes at 1100hrs on 11th October, with result to be released to Bristow's BALPA members soon thereafter. 'Exit polls' at this stage indicate a substantial NO vote.

bondu