Aer Lingus Pilot suspended in hub dispute
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Aer Lingus Pilot suspended in hub dispute
Taken from http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1009/aerlingus.html
Tuesday, 9 October 2007 16:17
Four pilots have been suspended in their dispute with Aer Lingus management over the new Belfast hub.
The suspensions follow the refusal by pilots to co-operate with this morning's deadline to begin training new staff for the Belfast operation.
30 other pilots who had an optional extra duty of training new recruits are now resigning from that function.
A spokesman for Aer Lingus said the pilots were appointed to the role as instructors and the company would not accept partial resignation of responsibilities.
The suspension follows the refusal by the pilot to co-operate with this morning's 10am deadline set by the airline to begin training new staff for the Belfast operation.
It is understood they are to resign from this duty to avoid the prospect of being suspended on full pay.
Up to 30 Aer Lingus pilots face the prospect of being suspended without pay if they fail to help recruit new staff.
Management says pilots are expected to help select and train new staff to fly on routes from Belfast in two months' time.
Earlier, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern urged management and unions to sit down with each other and try to resolve the issues together.
Speaking to journalists following an address to IBEC's annual HR summit in Dublin, Mr Ahern said both sides should understand that it is in their best interest to do this.
Mr Ahern acknowledged that there are problems within Aer Lingus, but he said the lesson of the last 20 years on social partnership is that it is about working together and this is the best way to resolve any problems.
He urged both sides to use internal dispute resolution mechanisms if possible.
However, he added that if they need help from the broader industrial relations machinery of the State, then it would be happy to help.
The Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion, has said he hopes sense will prevail and that the company's pilots will carry out their normal duties.
He claimed the company had delivered a solution to the impasse by creating a mechanism for pilots from the Republic who want to move to Northern Ireland to do so.
The onus, he added, is now very much on the pilots union IALPA to respond to that today, in good faith, and to allow members carry on their duties.
Management says pilots are expected to help select and train new staff to fly on routes from Belfast in two months' time.
Pilots are objecting to some of the terms and conditions for the new staff. The new pilots will not have as good a pension as their colleagues in the Republic.
The Irish Airline Pilots Association has said it wants to hold further talks on the issue. Management has said it has done enough talking and needs to recruit pilots for the Belfast operation immediately.
If pilots refuse to help recruit new staff they face suspension. The association representing pilots meets this evening to decide on their official position.
Tuesday, 9 October 2007 16:17
Four pilots have been suspended in their dispute with Aer Lingus management over the new Belfast hub.
The suspensions follow the refusal by pilots to co-operate with this morning's deadline to begin training new staff for the Belfast operation.
30 other pilots who had an optional extra duty of training new recruits are now resigning from that function.
A spokesman for Aer Lingus said the pilots were appointed to the role as instructors and the company would not accept partial resignation of responsibilities.
The suspension follows the refusal by the pilot to co-operate with this morning's 10am deadline set by the airline to begin training new staff for the Belfast operation.
It is understood they are to resign from this duty to avoid the prospect of being suspended on full pay.
Up to 30 Aer Lingus pilots face the prospect of being suspended without pay if they fail to help recruit new staff.
Management says pilots are expected to help select and train new staff to fly on routes from Belfast in two months' time.
Earlier, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern urged management and unions to sit down with each other and try to resolve the issues together.
Speaking to journalists following an address to IBEC's annual HR summit in Dublin, Mr Ahern said both sides should understand that it is in their best interest to do this.
Mr Ahern acknowledged that there are problems within Aer Lingus, but he said the lesson of the last 20 years on social partnership is that it is about working together and this is the best way to resolve any problems.
He urged both sides to use internal dispute resolution mechanisms if possible.
However, he added that if they need help from the broader industrial relations machinery of the State, then it would be happy to help.
The Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion, has said he hopes sense will prevail and that the company's pilots will carry out their normal duties.
He claimed the company had delivered a solution to the impasse by creating a mechanism for pilots from the Republic who want to move to Northern Ireland to do so.
The onus, he added, is now very much on the pilots union IALPA to respond to that today, in good faith, and to allow members carry on their duties.
Management says pilots are expected to help select and train new staff to fly on routes from Belfast in two months' time.
Pilots are objecting to some of the terms and conditions for the new staff. The new pilots will not have as good a pension as their colleagues in the Republic.
The Irish Airline Pilots Association has said it wants to hold further talks on the issue. Management has said it has done enough talking and needs to recruit pilots for the Belfast operation immediately.
If pilots refuse to help recruit new staff they face suspension. The association representing pilots meets this evening to decide on their official position.
Last edited by redout; 9th Oct 2007 at 21:15.
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No matter what spin management put on it, it seems to me that this is effectively a withdrawal from discussions with the union. Management cannot ignore existing industrial agreements and expect the union members to help them do so. Management's bullish attitude here is staggering.
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So there are still pilots left out there flying EI reg aircraft with cojones. Men, not mice. Good luck from the blue team pilots, we could use some of your type.
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Currently doing my IR, with the hope of flying for EI soon enough, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to read that you guys who can make a difference at EI, are doing so.
Credit where credit is due to the guy(gal?) who has been suspended, and all those others who are acting, for having the balls to stand up and be one of the people fighting for colleauges that not only they probably haven't met yet, but those of us who are not even finished their training!
It is my impression, correct me if I am wrong, that unless these pilots decide to be based at belfast, that these new conditions do not even affect them. Yet they are willing to put their jobs on the line for others.
It makes it seem that this constant beans on toast (without butter, thats a luxury!) lifestyle may have a point to it after all!
Credit where credit is due to the guy(gal?) who has been suspended, and all those others who are acting, for having the balls to stand up and be one of the people fighting for colleauges that not only they probably haven't met yet, but those of us who are not even finished their training!
It is my impression, correct me if I am wrong, that unless these pilots decide to be based at belfast, that these new conditions do not even affect them. Yet they are willing to put their jobs on the line for others.
It makes it seem that this constant beans on toast (without butter, thats a luxury!) lifestyle may have a point to it after all!
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Pilots that have resigned additional duties
I understand that 30+ pilots have resigned from additional duties, does this mean that they have resigned from training duties etc. If so where does this leave the guys that are already on line and may be just renewing their LPC/OPC? Does EI have an A320 sim in Dublin? 
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I assume then that they do all their own initial / recurrent in Dublin, so if all the T.R.E.'s have(not confirmed) resigned their training commands, they will be unable to use another TRTO immediately to renew any LPCs.
Even if an agreement is reached, each day of recurrent training missed is going to effect the upcoming schedules.
Even if an agreement is reached, each day of recurrent training missed is going to effect the upcoming schedules.
were shown how an airline operates with no pilots.
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"Right, everybody out. It's about time this bunch of management were shown how an airline operates with no pilots."
Probably about as well as a money losing airline with no management. Mick O' what his name at the other place must be having a large double tonight. The EI pilots are making him a shed load of cash.
20pilot
(I'd post the picture of the Eastern guys holding the newpaper saying "We Won" the day Eastern shut down but I can't find it)
Probably about as well as a money losing airline with no management. Mick O' what his name at the other place must be having a large double tonight. The EI pilots are making him a shed load of cash.
20pilot
(I'd post the picture of the Eastern guys holding the newpaper saying "We Won" the day Eastern shut down but I can't find it)
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According to Redout "Up to 30 Aer Lingus pilots face the prospect of being suspended without pay if they fail to help recruit new staff."
And the HR department is going to take over flying duties?
And the HR department is going to take over flying duties?
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What is the legal position. I'm a TRE(Aus Sim C&T) and I was always led to believe this was an extra responsibility hence the extra loading. This loading not subject to pension/super as pension a % of basic. Here in Aus you are free to drop C&T anytime you want to. Worked in UK for a long time and that was always the case with them. Any legal types out there?
This is serious s**t.
There is obviously a deliberate (instructed?) avoidance of public discussion of this situation by the parties involved - ie no EI crew response to this thread...
From an outsiders POV it seems mgmt are trying to create a doomsday scenario.
I hope the drivers have cool nerves.
There is obviously a deliberate (instructed?) avoidance of public discussion of this situation by the parties involved - ie no EI crew response to this thread...
From an outsiders POV it seems mgmt are trying to create a doomsday scenario.
I hope the drivers have cool nerves.
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DM's open letter to pilots
Quote:
CEO letter to all Aer Lingus Pilots
Re: Belfast Base Start Up
Further to my letter of Monday 8th October 2007, as you are aware Aer Lingus is establishing a base in Belfast on 10th December 2007. In order to ensure that this base is set up on time and to the highest standards, that are the hallmark of Aer Lingus, it is crucial that this base is set up with the unreserved cooperation of all Aer Lingus Pilots. In order to meet this requirement, we request that you contact Crew Control by 1pm on Monday 15th October 2007, to confirm your willingness to engage unreservedly in any or all of the following duties as may be required:
Flying with the newly hired recruits in order to familiarise them with Aer Lingus Standard Operating Procedures
Attend any training courses that you may be required to attend relevant to this endeavour
Any other duties relevant to your post as a Pilot, that may be required and requested of you by Aer Lingus
For those who hold Instructional or other special qualifications and are in receipt of an allowance in this regard:
the screening, assessment, interviewing and appraisal of candidates for the Belfast base.
the instruction, training and checking of successful candidates before they commence flying in Belfast
Any work that is required with respect to the legalities of operating a base from the UK
If you choose not to confirm your willingness, you can put forward in writing, to be received no later than 1pm on Monday 15th October 2007, reasons why you choose not to do so. Please note that your trade union may respond on your behalf should you so wish. Such correspondence should be addressed to Peter O'Neill, Head of Operations and Crew Planning, 4th Floor Tech Building, Dublin Airport.
It is important that you understand that if you fail to confirm your willingness to unreservedly engage in your full range of duties, by 1pm on Monday 15th October 2007 you will be suspended from the payroll from 3am on Tuesday 16th October 2007.
Dermot Mannion
CEO
10th October 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is now a very serious situation; it seems to me that DM is trying deliberately to provoke the pilot corps and it would appear to me that IALPA is likely to call the airline's bluff on this and as Evan Cullen said, see how long EI operates without pilots. This becomes a lockout situation; what then?
Certainly no sympathy as govt level; Bertie called for both sides to sit down and talk, EI responds like this. Would be surprised if govt would be sad to see back of DM, especially after being dropped in the "you know what" over the whole SNN-LHR thing. (I know it's not the only s/h now, but can't see other shareholders being too happy either).
Bets on DM still being CEO at the end of next week?
CEO letter to all Aer Lingus Pilots
Re: Belfast Base Start Up
Further to my letter of Monday 8th October 2007, as you are aware Aer Lingus is establishing a base in Belfast on 10th December 2007. In order to ensure that this base is set up on time and to the highest standards, that are the hallmark of Aer Lingus, it is crucial that this base is set up with the unreserved cooperation of all Aer Lingus Pilots. In order to meet this requirement, we request that you contact Crew Control by 1pm on Monday 15th October 2007, to confirm your willingness to engage unreservedly in any or all of the following duties as may be required:
Flying with the newly hired recruits in order to familiarise them with Aer Lingus Standard Operating Procedures
Attend any training courses that you may be required to attend relevant to this endeavour
Any other duties relevant to your post as a Pilot, that may be required and requested of you by Aer Lingus
For those who hold Instructional or other special qualifications and are in receipt of an allowance in this regard:
the screening, assessment, interviewing and appraisal of candidates for the Belfast base.
the instruction, training and checking of successful candidates before they commence flying in Belfast
Any work that is required with respect to the legalities of operating a base from the UK
If you choose not to confirm your willingness, you can put forward in writing, to be received no later than 1pm on Monday 15th October 2007, reasons why you choose not to do so. Please note that your trade union may respond on your behalf should you so wish. Such correspondence should be addressed to Peter O'Neill, Head of Operations and Crew Planning, 4th Floor Tech Building, Dublin Airport.
It is important that you understand that if you fail to confirm your willingness to unreservedly engage in your full range of duties, by 1pm on Monday 15th October 2007 you will be suspended from the payroll from 3am on Tuesday 16th October 2007.
Dermot Mannion
CEO
10th October 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is now a very serious situation; it seems to me that DM is trying deliberately to provoke the pilot corps and it would appear to me that IALPA is likely to call the airline's bluff on this and as Evan Cullen said, see how long EI operates without pilots. This becomes a lockout situation; what then?
Certainly no sympathy as govt level; Bertie called for both sides to sit down and talk, EI responds like this. Would be surprised if govt would be sad to see back of DM, especially after being dropped in the "you know what" over the whole SNN-LHR thing. (I know it's not the only s/h now, but can't see other shareholders being too happy either).
Bets on DM still being CEO at the end of next week?
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I just don't understand Mannion's game plan. As I understand things, and do correct me if I'm wrong, earlier this year staff morale was very high, everyone was generally happy and proud of doing their EI duties, and the company was profitable and planning expansion. Now, through management's own volition, they have alienated their flight crew, almost forced them into strike action, costing the company money in the process, and are now prepared to suspend them all from duty if they don't accept a situation which is a) part of an unresolved negotiation process and b) in breach of existing industrial agreements with, no doubt, further loss of money??
Awaiting further developments with breath most very bated...