Bristows heading for a pilots strike
 

I have heard that yesterdays talks between the company and it's pilots reps have ended without any measurable increase in it's offer.

The Bristows management are taking the Osteridge approach to pay talks and seem to be working on the assumption that the shortage of pilots is stuff of fantasy and fiction, promulgated only by those that would benifit, that those they have in their ranks will still be layal to the company despite the appalling way they have been treated over recent years and that although CHC pilots are paid more, treated better, and have a far better pension that their pilots would want to change uniforms beggars belief.

It seems that finally the pilots have had enough (and not before time either) and they are getting very pi**ed off with the constant errosion of their well earned terms and conditions and will soon be holding a ballot to give the management a very clear message, my contacts tell me that the mood of the pilots is such that aircraft will be parked up at Christmass and I would be very concearned if I was a Bristows customer at the moment.

Whilst CHC are in a massive recruitment phase to cope with the increase in recent long term contract wins and recently announced as the prefered bidder in the UK SAR contract (at present serviced by the very experienced and professional Bristows crews) I would encourage all those at Bristows to look very closely at what they are worth and look outside the Bristows world, for CHC is paying more today and even more tomorrow with an inflation plus paydeal protecting and increasing in real terms every year up to 2010, commiting more to it's workforce by way of a industry leading defined benifit pension scheme, implimenting a equal time roster that has had dramatic results in moral and productivity in Aberdeen and a willingness to engage with it's workforce for future mutual improvements.

I would encourage all those freethinkers to wake up and vote with your feet and let the remaining diehards do just that.

I'm sure that the Bristows management think that if they deny things long enough then it becomes the truth, hense the "osterich approach" well the trouble my friends with burying your head in the sand is that you leave your ARSE exposed.

:D

Bristows Crew, start Kicking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS Scotia short of 14 pilots in Aberdeen alone

Call 01224 846211 for a brighter better future, help yourself and those that can't (won't) leave the Old regime.

Interesting comments - FB Heliservices (part of the Bristows Group) at Shawbury are short finals for a strike with their Pilots. Been prating around since last January over a derisory pay settlement. The pilots at Shawbury have had enough, and are serious this time for a decent settlement. Maybe Bristows have more to focus their mind on than first thought - if they even care!!!

Flugdung

I have re read it and it's perfic 2 me

:O

Ohhhhhh...its ostrich - I thought Max was alluding to some advanced management technique given an odd name like Oestereich by its European inventor - silly me.

PS max it's its not it's when it's possessive ie of it but it's it's not its when it's a shortening of it is.

PS max it's its ........

Should that not be a capital 'M' for Max because you are calling him by name?

Must be quiet at EGDC.

I hear that Premier crews aren't very happy either. Perhaps time for BALPA recognition?

You know, it's a sad thing, authority without responsibility, which is what I have been reading in some of the mails above. It's known as the prerogative of the harlot.

Strike Action
 

Any Bristow pilots contemplating strike action should first seek the advice and guidance of one of the leaders of the last Bristow strike, someone who, like it or not, now appears to be directing the future of all matters helicopter, namely JimL.

My. Serious unrest on a number of fronts:
Offshore
Mil training
emergency service support

Perhaps the time has come for a proper Helicopter Union?

Surely not, no-one could organise such a logical step.

If someone could co-ordinate this unrest properly, there could be some serious disquiet in the country.

But, alas - when has this industry ever got its act together???

Bristow strike??
 

Not sure where maxng gets his info, but if hes right.......?
Imagine bristow pilots standing up for themselves. Just to much to bear! Cant believe it myself, to many old hands and wimps in the ranks. They wil get stuffed by the managers as always.

the cat

Bristow Pay Deal
 

Just to put the record straight.
The Bristow BALPA CC are conducting an "Indicative Ballot" for strike action, should the next stage of the protracted negotiations fail. The next stage is the "Standing Conference" bit, where the MD of BHL and the Gen Sec of BALPA get together with the two negotiating parties. If no progress is made, then the real ballot will go out to the members; this will be the legal one that could start the industrial actions. Just in time for the Christmas rush.
If the management are prepared to agree to deal that gives the BHL pilots some form of parity with their Scotia colleagues, then there will be no industrial action. Simple!!

bondu

PS Get a life cat driver!!

Thanks to Bondu for putting the record straight.

After MaxNg’s grammatically incorrect ramblings and yet another attack on Bristow pilots by Catdriver the whole argument is being lost.

Catdriver would you change the record you boring old fart? The more you go on, the more I’m convinced that you’re one of those Bristow line pilots who spend their life flying the line complaining they have no money because they’ve had to pay for a hip replacement for their daughters horse and a new engine for their sons Ferrari! If you are going to make a contribution to the debate is it at all possible that you could come up with something new and constructive?

If there is going to be a ballot for a strike then can we discuss the issues without all these emotional rants?

Not sure about that.

Catdriver's spelling is atrocious and the thinking flawed. Not sure he is one of the boring old farts. Some superbly balanced retard perhaps...with chips on both shoulders. Plenty of those about.

NC43

I believe the FBHeliservices guys at Shawbury have already had an indicative ballot that came out in favour of strike action. Now awaiting the outcome of the latest pay talks, but me thinks the guys are not happy and fully prepared to go through with striking.
The company management need a shake up and reality check, could be very embarrasing for them, how many companies would want a record of industrial action when negotiating new contracts?

good luck guys

missing piece

I]"come up with something new and constructive?"[/I] why? Obviously bhl management cant and neither can the pilots.

the well balanced cat!

bondu,

what we need, is for Bristow to go past CHC on pay and terms. The limbo dance the other way around...

Hey pussy,

You can't even post on this and get the italics to work!

So it's little wonder you can't come up with something new and constructive!

Pathetic.

TMP

Offtrack

Just to get some form of parity with Scotia will be a huge success for BHL pilots!
Scotia get more pay;
have double the employer contribution into their pension fund; work 30 days less per year;
have a better LoL deal;
enjoy much greater offshore allowances.

I could go on, but it will only depress BHL pilots even more! Though, maybe they will get even more angry with their management!

A straw poll so far shows a huge majority of YES votes in the Indicative Ballot; feelings are obviously running high.
Just heard tonight from a colleague that BHL management are dragging their collective feet once again; they cannot make any of the dates for the 'standing conference'. Incredible! Will they never learn?

bondu :suspect:

Offshore is bad, but onshore... oh boy!
 

Just check out Flight International's latest advert from PremiAir... wanted: permanent staff for a seasonal contract...

Yes - you read it here first. Would you like to be contracted to work for half a year only, every year on half of the onshore salary and to be locked into returning every summer every year?

Really? I'll bet a whole lot of R22 learner drivers will be applying for their first S76 conversion!!

To all at Bristows - good luck chaps, stand tall and be counted for once! To all at CHC - well done chaps, hope the equal time is enjoyable and the S92 fun to fly.... and to all in SAR - keep up the good work, for you fly where angels fear to tread!