Easy - Pay Rise
Join Date: Jul 2001
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I know for a fact that since Nov 25th (2 week period) there have been at least 83 new joiners out of a total of about 1200 pilots. I would fully expect that to grow substantially over the next few weeks. What level we are actually at in terms of final numbers remains to be seen. If we obtain 70%+ membership then my own view is that we will win an acceptable deal without too much fight. The danger is that we are pushed into a battle without the necessary support from our colleagues.
This is in essence a battle for the hearts and minds of the pilots. Ultimately if there are sufficient pilots working for easyJet who are either indifferent to their future prospects, feel BALPA is a 'British' thing or just hold onto longstanding grievances against previous BALPA failings then we will lose. The bizarre thing is that the maximum density of BALPA membership appears to be at the London bases. These are the folks who stand to gain most from any redistribution of wealth arising from the introduction of 'London weightings' and reduced mainland European salaries. Yet they are the very people getting most behind the efforts of the CC - and that is not to take away from the membership at other bases, without whom no battle would be possible. I do not know the level of membership in Germany and France, but I sincerely hope that the pilots there join up virtually en-masse. They are the guys with most to lose from easyJet's proposals and right now it is vital that BALPA enjoy the support of all pilots at easyJet. In the final analysis, the easyJet pilots who do not join BALPA at this critical stage in our history will find themselves totally to blame for the final result of this dispute.
To any doubters out there, just remember that the managers at easyJet will use one factor alone to decide whether or not to fight it out with the pilots - BALPA membership levels and absolutely nothing else. That is the acid test of the genuine willingness of the pilots to fight - I for one am willing to step up to the plate to ensure that easyJet's success benefits all employees and not just a few. I hope many others will follow.
This is in essence a battle for the hearts and minds of the pilots. Ultimately if there are sufficient pilots working for easyJet who are either indifferent to their future prospects, feel BALPA is a 'British' thing or just hold onto longstanding grievances against previous BALPA failings then we will lose. The bizarre thing is that the maximum density of BALPA membership appears to be at the London bases. These are the folks who stand to gain most from any redistribution of wealth arising from the introduction of 'London weightings' and reduced mainland European salaries. Yet they are the very people getting most behind the efforts of the CC - and that is not to take away from the membership at other bases, without whom no battle would be possible. I do not know the level of membership in Germany and France, but I sincerely hope that the pilots there join up virtually en-masse. They are the guys with most to lose from easyJet's proposals and right now it is vital that BALPA enjoy the support of all pilots at easyJet. In the final analysis, the easyJet pilots who do not join BALPA at this critical stage in our history will find themselves totally to blame for the final result of this dispute.
To any doubters out there, just remember that the managers at easyJet will use one factor alone to decide whether or not to fight it out with the pilots - BALPA membership levels and absolutely nothing else. That is the acid test of the genuine willingness of the pilots to fight - I for one am willing to step up to the plate to ensure that easyJet's success benefits all employees and not just a few. I hope many others will follow.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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NSF,
Just talked to one of your frenchies and seems that +90% of the ORY guys are member now...(50% joined in the last month) They got the message and the french are used to strike...
Furthermore I think that a lower european salary is a danger for UK based crews as new planes, and even old ones, could very well be based in europe and fly eg: ORY-NCE-LGW-NCE-ORY, or DTM-LTN-EDI-LTN-DTM,... this would reduce the need for UK based crews. The european airports, except Paris, are empty and not at all slot restricted. The UK based SFO would initially have a higher salary BUT end up with a commuting command on the mainland at mainland salary...
I think you are all in the same boat!
Good luck to all of you.
Just talked to one of your frenchies and seems that +90% of the ORY guys are member now...(50% joined in the last month) They got the message and the french are used to strike...
Furthermore I think that a lower european salary is a danger for UK based crews as new planes, and even old ones, could very well be based in europe and fly eg: ORY-NCE-LGW-NCE-ORY, or DTM-LTN-EDI-LTN-DTM,... this would reduce the need for UK based crews. The european airports, except Paris, are empty and not at all slot restricted. The UK based SFO would initially have a higher salary BUT end up with a commuting command on the mainland at mainland salary...
I think you are all in the same boat!
Good luck to all of you.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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@sarah737, 100% agree!
New commanders will definitely be based in mainland Europe while their families, their houses and mortgages will still be in the UK....not the best future....
What I donīt understand yet: What does Balpa actually ask for? What is their target ? Itīs easy to turn down a company offer and ask members for possible strike action, on the other hand how could they make a decision on that if the target is unknown?
I always thought there are 2 point of views and all parties try to meet somewhere in the middle.
What is Balpa trying to achieve for the troops and why isnīt it communicated ??
New commanders will definitely be based in mainland Europe while their families, their houses and mortgages will still be in the UK....not the best future....
What I donīt understand yet: What does Balpa actually ask for? What is their target ? Itīs easy to turn down a company offer and ask members for possible strike action, on the other hand how could they make a decision on that if the target is unknown?
I always thought there are 2 point of views and all parties try to meet somewhere in the middle.
What is Balpa trying to achieve for the troops and why isnīt it communicated ??
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Too Low Terrain:
I think you will find that the BALPA negotiators are not asking for anything over the top. They are negotiating something that is in line with the current financial climate and our end of year results.
As outlined by members during the last ballot lifestyle and sustainability seem to be issues higher up the ladder than actual hard pay.
There is so much that needs sorting out but I guess it's all about establishing clear communication lines between our Flying Faction and 'Management' Faction. I just hope that the new 'Top' Management sees our current dispute in the light it should be presented in and will manage it accordingly.
I think you will find that the BALPA negotiators are not asking for anything over the top. They are negotiating something that is in line with the current financial climate and our end of year results.
As outlined by members during the last ballot lifestyle and sustainability seem to be issues higher up the ladder than actual hard pay.
There is so much that needs sorting out but I guess it's all about establishing clear communication lines between our Flying Faction and 'Management' Faction. I just hope that the new 'Top' Management sees our current dispute in the light it should be presented in and will manage it accordingly.
Join Date: Apr 2005
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The UK based SFO would initially have a higher salary BUT end up with a commuting command on the mainland at mainland salary...
Time for ACTION!!!
Join Date: Jan 2005
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@ TooLowTerrain
First and main target should be: refuse the offer of EZY mangement and think about the only "proper Action"!
This is fairly easy as a BALPA member, because you just got the mail from BALPA! (if you are a member, what should be the case especially as a "mainland pilot")
Second target: be patient! Tactical battles will take some time and should be planned thoroughly. Public Information only as required to keep the ball rolling.
Third target: the strategic battle. At this stage you probaly will know what you are asking/striking for.
First and main target should be: refuse the offer of EZY mangement and think about the only "proper Action"!
This is fairly easy as a BALPA member, because you just got the mail from BALPA! (if you are a member, what should be the case especially as a "mainland pilot")
Second target: be patient! Tactical battles will take some time and should be planned thoroughly. Public Information only as required to keep the ball rolling.
Third target: the strategic battle. At this stage you probaly will know what you are asking/striking for.
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Toolowterrain and others who are hesitating in joining Balpa:
By now, We know for sure what Easy Management are trying to achieve;
refusing their so called offer should encourage pilots to join Balpa;
Doesn't matter what balpa is proposing; Pilots have no choice!!
Join balpa or, if you think it is fare, just accept the pay deal offered by Ezy and... just cry the following day.
Ezy pay offer is NOT acceptable and the ONLY way to refuse it, is to join BALPA. full stop
By now, We know for sure what Easy Management are trying to achieve;
refusing their so called offer should encourage pilots to join Balpa;
Doesn't matter what balpa is proposing; Pilots have no choice!!
Join balpa or, if you think it is fare, just accept the pay deal offered by Ezy and... just cry the following day.
Ezy pay offer is NOT acceptable and the ONLY way to refuse it, is to join BALPA. full stop
Join Date: Nov 1998
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Mrs Glum is only saying what everyone is thinking. Get in get hours up and get out ! Most people dont think easyJet will ever be a career airline but I am still dreaming ( dont wake me up )
Join Date: Jul 2001
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The difficulty of the decision to regard easyJet as an 'hours building' period in your career is that before you know it there are no career airlines as they are all as bad as each other. easyJet is now a massive airline with plans to become even bigger. They are not 2-bit companies like WizzAir or whoever who will be here today and gone tomorrow. Love them or hate them, companies like easyJet and Ryanair are here to stay. By virtue of their size and market dominance, they will define the 'rules of engagement' for the the next generation of airline pilots.
It is therefore in everyone's interests that easyJet remains profitable and combines high safety, efficiency and an entrepreneurial spirit with the best possible industrial relations. Most of us would recognise that companies such as Southwest Airlines are already a long way down that road and that we should be heading in the same direction. The fact that we are a long way off should not discourage us or dim our determination to see the situation change.
I am fully committed to staying with easyJet for the foreseeable future and to play my part in making it the jewel in the crown of the low cost carriers. That means a bit of pain now to ensure that an airline emerges where the current corporate greed and ineptitude is replaced by a team of managers and pilots working together to ensure that all employees benefit from easyJet's success and not just a few top directors. Are we currently a long way off that idea? Most definitely! Nonetheless, it can still be achieved. Had Ray Webster stayed on, I personally would have been looking for his removal as his position had become untenable with the pilots due to his shameful greed and exploitation of his own position. Fortunately a new CEO has appeared at the right time and an opportunity exists for common sense to prevail. I trust that he will take the steps necessary to ensure that the current unwise confrontation with the pilots is brought to a timely conclusion.
Pilots are like the gas turbines which run a luxury liner - as long as they are all working you can forget about them and get on with enjoying the pleasures of the voyage. When they stop working in the middle of a stormy sea, that seemingly expensive maintainance programme you decided to skip starts to appear really quite cheap! Time will tell if a foolish and unnecessary conflict is avoided, but whatever happens I am certainly one of those in for the long haul to make easyJet the career airline it should be.
It is therefore in everyone's interests that easyJet remains profitable and combines high safety, efficiency and an entrepreneurial spirit with the best possible industrial relations. Most of us would recognise that companies such as Southwest Airlines are already a long way down that road and that we should be heading in the same direction. The fact that we are a long way off should not discourage us or dim our determination to see the situation change.
I am fully committed to staying with easyJet for the foreseeable future and to play my part in making it the jewel in the crown of the low cost carriers. That means a bit of pain now to ensure that an airline emerges where the current corporate greed and ineptitude is replaced by a team of managers and pilots working together to ensure that all employees benefit from easyJet's success and not just a few top directors. Are we currently a long way off that idea? Most definitely! Nonetheless, it can still be achieved. Had Ray Webster stayed on, I personally would have been looking for his removal as his position had become untenable with the pilots due to his shameful greed and exploitation of his own position. Fortunately a new CEO has appeared at the right time and an opportunity exists for common sense to prevail. I trust that he will take the steps necessary to ensure that the current unwise confrontation with the pilots is brought to a timely conclusion.
Pilots are like the gas turbines which run a luxury liner - as long as they are all working you can forget about them and get on with enjoying the pleasures of the voyage. When they stop working in the middle of a stormy sea, that seemingly expensive maintainance programme you decided to skip starts to appear really quite cheap! Time will tell if a foolish and unnecessary conflict is avoided, but whatever happens I am certainly one of those in for the long haul to make easyJet the career airline it should be.
Last edited by Norman Stanley Fletcher; 14th Dec 2005 at 20:57.
Ut Sementem Feeceris
I'm in for the long term too NSF. It CAN be the jewel in the crown, as you put it, but the present management need to wake up and see what's going on on the line. We CANNOT afford to keep losing excellent guys (and gals) the way we are at the moment. If they can't see that then I'm very concerned for the future expansion of the airline.
The airline seems like two different companies at the moment - those in LaLa Land and us in the real world on the front line.
For those that are wavering on joining BALPA - don't delay any longer. As SOON as you're registered YOU CAN VOTE ON YOUR FUTURE. Can that be any clearer..........? DO IT NOW!
A4
The airline seems like two different companies at the moment - those in LaLa Land and us in the real world on the front line.
For those that are wavering on joining BALPA - don't delay any longer. As SOON as you're registered YOU CAN VOTE ON YOUR FUTURE. Can that be any clearer..........? DO IT NOW!
A4
Join Date: Oct 2005
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@cartmanfly
A friend of mine called me yesterday to confirm he got an "OK" for DEC starting march 06 on the airbus....
....somewhere in the network, they couldnīt tell him yet.
So, no bull**** obviously.....
P.S.: He is neither TRE nor TRI or else. Normal "front pig".
A friend of mine called me yesterday to confirm he got an "OK" for DEC starting march 06 on the airbus....
....somewhere in the network, they couldnīt tell him yet.
So, no bull**** obviously.....
P.S.: He is neither TRE nor TRI or else. Normal "front pig".
Join Date: Oct 2005
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yes there are DEC's next year but not on the Boeing and not in BFS. I misread Brumby's post and assumed it referred to DEC's in BFS which isn't going to happen as there are plenty of guys in BFS who are waiting for course dates and a couple of internal transfers from the bus. As none of these DEC's will know where they are based until 1 month before they start, they would be best advised to buy an italian phrasebook 
. In reality they'll probably all end up in LGW courtesy of another shady deal with PT.
. In reality they'll probably all end up in LGW courtesy of another shady deal with PT.
Join Date: Mar 2004
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They will not end up in LGW due to a shady deal with PT they will end up in LGW because promotable f/o's are resighning faster than he realises!
Quite a few Captains are also about to do the deed so to speak!
Quite a few Captains are also about to do the deed so to speak!
