EZY Madrid, divide and rule...
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EZY Madrid, divide and rule...
Extract from BALPA newsletter:
Madrid - Why this is a major issue for all of us in easyJet
1. Our concerns
Madrid presents major concerns not just for those members wishing to transfer to the Spanish base but
for all BALPA members in easyJet.
1.1 Status of the Spanish Branch / BALPA representation
Until recently, the CC understood the Spanish Branch – easyJet Airline Spain - was being established as
a wholly-owned, Spanish-registered subsidiary company of easyJet plc. We have now been notified that
this is not the case. At least to start with, we understand the Spanish Branch will in fact be easyJet’s
existing ground handling unit in Spain - easyJet Handling Spain. This is, in effect, the Spanish unit of
easyJet Airline Company Limited. It is not a wholly-owned subsidiary company of easyJet plc, with its
own management structure (like easyJet Switzerland S.A.), but will be controlled and managed by
easyJet Airline Company Limited. As flight crew based in Madrid will therefore (i) be working for the
Spanish section of easyJet Airline Company Limited, (ii) controlled and managed by easyJet Airline
Company Limited, (iii) operating under the easyJet Airline Company Limited AOC and Operations
Manual and (iv) potentially working along side other easyJet Airline Company Limited pilots based in the
UK, Germany, France and Italy, we believe that BALPA is the most appropriate association to represent
this group of pilots and that contractual matters should therefore be governed by UK rather than Spanish
law.
1.2 Divide and rule
As stated above, we believe Madrid should be included in the existing BALPA bargaining unit covering
the UK, France, Germany and Italy. If Madrid is not included in the existing BALPA bargaining unit it
could lead to the fragmentation of our existing negotiating arrangements. This in turn could allow
easyJet to play one group of pilots off against another and make it more difficult to us to achieve our
longer-term pay and lifestyle objectives.
1.3 Thin end of the wedge
If we allow easyJet to set up Madrid under the UK AOC but on potentially inferior terms and conditions
(see below), it could be the thin end of a very large wedge. For example, easyJet might then decide to
establish similar branches or “franchise” arrangements in countries where pay and condition are
generally lower than in “western” Europe. The company could then use this to drive down terms and
conditions in the UK, France, Germany and Italy.
1.4 Scheduling
The Company has now indicated that pilots employed by the Spanish Branch will be allocated a 5453
group but that it may be necessary for roster groups to be changed by the Company from time to time to
equalise availability. As a result, future days off would only
be guaranteed a month ahead of the published roster. In our view this is unacceptable because one of
the key advantages of a fixed-pattern roster – knowing your rostered days off well in advance - has been
negated.
The CC has spent the last five years working with the Company to improve rostering and lifestyle. We
are therefore very disappointed that easyJet is behaving is such an opportunistic fashion and trying to
use the establishment of a Spanish Branch to change our rostering agreement.
1.5 Other terms and conditions are not acceptable
There is no occupational pension scheme.
There is no contractual loss of licence cover or sick pay.
The proposed performance bonus scheme has not been discussed or agreed with BALPA.
As previously stated, there are no negotiating or representation arrangements with BALPA or any other
pilot association.
1.6 “Fast track” commands
easyJet is offering “fast track” commands in Madrid to existing easyJet Airline Company Limited SFOs on
the condition that they transfer to an easyJet Handling Spain contract for at least 12 months. This
contravenes our Pilot Resource Agreement and will almost certainly result in some SFOs, who are in a
higher position in the command pool, being “queue jumped”.
In our view, an SFO taking a command in Madrid should be treated in exactly the same way as other
pilots volunteering to work in Spain for a temporary period. They should continue to enjoy normal
easyJet Airline Company Limited pay and conditions during this 12 month period. They should not be
coerced into accepting an easyJet Handling Spain contract in order to secure a command.
I for one didn't realise what is going on with the madrid situation, because I'm not interested in a Madrid base, but I do find this very worrying.
By posting this BALPA newsletter I hope other (ezy) pilots will wake up and stand up against it.
And I thought Andy Harrison was making EZY a decent company....
Madrid - Why this is a major issue for all of us in easyJet
1. Our concerns
Madrid presents major concerns not just for those members wishing to transfer to the Spanish base but
for all BALPA members in easyJet.
1.1 Status of the Spanish Branch / BALPA representation
Until recently, the CC understood the Spanish Branch – easyJet Airline Spain - was being established as
a wholly-owned, Spanish-registered subsidiary company of easyJet plc. We have now been notified that
this is not the case. At least to start with, we understand the Spanish Branch will in fact be easyJet’s
existing ground handling unit in Spain - easyJet Handling Spain. This is, in effect, the Spanish unit of
easyJet Airline Company Limited. It is not a wholly-owned subsidiary company of easyJet plc, with its
own management structure (like easyJet Switzerland S.A.), but will be controlled and managed by
easyJet Airline Company Limited. As flight crew based in Madrid will therefore (i) be working for the
Spanish section of easyJet Airline Company Limited, (ii) controlled and managed by easyJet Airline
Company Limited, (iii) operating under the easyJet Airline Company Limited AOC and Operations
Manual and (iv) potentially working along side other easyJet Airline Company Limited pilots based in the
UK, Germany, France and Italy, we believe that BALPA is the most appropriate association to represent
this group of pilots and that contractual matters should therefore be governed by UK rather than Spanish
law.
1.2 Divide and rule
As stated above, we believe Madrid should be included in the existing BALPA bargaining unit covering
the UK, France, Germany and Italy. If Madrid is not included in the existing BALPA bargaining unit it
could lead to the fragmentation of our existing negotiating arrangements. This in turn could allow
easyJet to play one group of pilots off against another and make it more difficult to us to achieve our
longer-term pay and lifestyle objectives.
1.3 Thin end of the wedge
If we allow easyJet to set up Madrid under the UK AOC but on potentially inferior terms and conditions
(see below), it could be the thin end of a very large wedge. For example, easyJet might then decide to
establish similar branches or “franchise” arrangements in countries where pay and condition are
generally lower than in “western” Europe. The company could then use this to drive down terms and
conditions in the UK, France, Germany and Italy.
1.4 Scheduling
The Company has now indicated that pilots employed by the Spanish Branch will be allocated a 5453
group but that it may be necessary for roster groups to be changed by the Company from time to time to
equalise availability. As a result, future days off would only
be guaranteed a month ahead of the published roster. In our view this is unacceptable because one of
the key advantages of a fixed-pattern roster – knowing your rostered days off well in advance - has been
negated.
The CC has spent the last five years working with the Company to improve rostering and lifestyle. We
are therefore very disappointed that easyJet is behaving is such an opportunistic fashion and trying to
use the establishment of a Spanish Branch to change our rostering agreement.
1.5 Other terms and conditions are not acceptable
There is no occupational pension scheme.
There is no contractual loss of licence cover or sick pay.
The proposed performance bonus scheme has not been discussed or agreed with BALPA.
As previously stated, there are no negotiating or representation arrangements with BALPA or any other
pilot association.
1.6 “Fast track” commands
easyJet is offering “fast track” commands in Madrid to existing easyJet Airline Company Limited SFOs on
the condition that they transfer to an easyJet Handling Spain contract for at least 12 months. This
contravenes our Pilot Resource Agreement and will almost certainly result in some SFOs, who are in a
higher position in the command pool, being “queue jumped”.
In our view, an SFO taking a command in Madrid should be treated in exactly the same way as other
pilots volunteering to work in Spain for a temporary period. They should continue to enjoy normal
easyJet Airline Company Limited pay and conditions during this 12 month period. They should not be
coerced into accepting an easyJet Handling Spain contract in order to secure a command.
I for one didn't realise what is going on with the madrid situation, because I'm not interested in a Madrid base, but I do find this very worrying.
By posting this BALPA newsletter I hope other (ezy) pilots will wake up and stand up against it.
And I thought Andy Harrison was making EZY a decent company....
Last edited by Dutchjock; 15th Mar 2007 at 17:01.
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Why didn't you know what was going on, this letter was posted to all BALPA members a couple of weeks back. guess it must have been snail mail!!
Hope this gets nipped in the bud soon. the implications are worrying.
Hope this gets nipped in the bud soon. the implications are worrying.
Last edited by Flyit Pointit Sortit; 15th Mar 2007 at 14:55. Reason: text added
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Don't you think management knows our position? I don't see how this is confidential info. In my opinion it is important everybody knows what the company is trying to do.
Most peolple I fly with haven't got a clue what's going on and I think this is very worrying.
If it's not allowed to publicise this info then I appologise. I just want to raise the issue.
Most peolple I fly with haven't got a clue what's going on and I think this is very worrying.
If it's not allowed to publicise this info then I appologise. I just want to raise the issue.
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I think, the Company BALPA Newsletter should generally stay in the region of the BALPA members.
However some extracts and directions could be mentioned and discussed. In regard to management reading about it, there, I see no problem.
They will hear the facts from the CC anyway.
There is a new BALPA NEWSLETTER published today. Watchout for the percentage of pilots pro CC/BALPA way to go!
However some extracts and directions could be mentioned and discussed. In regard to management reading about it, there, I see no problem.
They will hear the facts from the CC anyway.
There is a new BALPA NEWSLETTER published today. Watchout for the percentage of pilots pro CC/BALPA way to go!
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Although our esteemed leader is no doubt 200% improved on the last one, never forget that his main aim is to get EZY into the FTSE100. Anyone who thinks he won't end up playing harder ball to get there and thus achieve a very large bonus is dreaming. His shelf life is about 3 years. Any crew who wish to remain in Easyjet for longer should get themselves into BALPA ,if not already. If you're still not convinced, take a look at the track record of the new Dutch Senior Prefect he's just hired 
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Hey, OT, I thought that you'd be sooo company focused now that they've named the canteen after you
Of course it's important to get the message out as to what the company is up to, but cutting and pasting the whole of the BALPA newsletter means that the CC might have to be careful as to what information it will divulge to it's members. thus keeping us less informed in the future. As past discussions have shown, a lack of info gets BALPA's members backs up and can lead to an undesirable relationship between the members and the CC.
Of course it's important to get the message out as to what the company is up to, but cutting and pasting the whole of the BALPA newsletter means that the CC might have to be careful as to what information it will divulge to it's members. thus keeping us less informed in the future. As past discussions have shown, a lack of info gets BALPA's members backs up and can lead to an undesirable relationship between the members and the CC.
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Dont panic, the company get to read the newsletter before the members do. It is part of the recognition agreement. No secrets there then.
It is still a VERY IMPRTANT issue and may require some serious action to stop the 'crack' widening.
Get a non-member to join up today!
It is still a VERY IMPRTANT issue and may require some serious action to stop the 'crack' widening.
Get a non-member to join up today!
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dutchjock'
No internal letter to its members by a Association should be put on a public forum such as this.Regardless of if the Co knows of its content or not.I'm sure if you got involved [hint] with the workings of a porfessional pilots Association you would understand.Fly safe.
No internal letter to its members by a Association should be put on a public forum such as this.Regardless of if the Co knows of its content or not.I'm sure if you got involved [hint] with the workings of a porfessional pilots Association you would understand.Fly safe.
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Now, what should we do? squable about the technicality of posting the newsletter here or address the pressing issue of different contracts accross the network. Divide and rule indeed.
A couple of several issues this new contract rises are:
Different rates for sector pay and night stop allowances. Will this mean that somebody on a spanish contract doing refresher training in Luton will have to bring his own pack lunch from Spain? will he be entitled to a free round at the bar from his UK colleagues?
5-4-5-3 roster but with days off only guaranteed a month in advance. How is leave going to be booked? what looks like five days off in a row today may look quite daft when the your roster changes?
No loss of licence insurance. I know all they say about the mediterranean diet may be true but... same company, same job, different levels of protection, why?
No pension at all.
The list goes on and the big question is, once the company has pilots working for lower T&C the pressure is going to be on bigtime on the rest to match them, otherwise the jobs will migrate to the lower cost countries. This has happened in every industry. If you think it doesn't apply to you, think again!
A couple of several issues this new contract rises are:
Different rates for sector pay and night stop allowances. Will this mean that somebody on a spanish contract doing refresher training in Luton will have to bring his own pack lunch from Spain? will he be entitled to a free round at the bar from his UK colleagues?
5-4-5-3 roster but with days off only guaranteed a month in advance. How is leave going to be booked? what looks like five days off in a row today may look quite daft when the your roster changes?
No loss of licence insurance. I know all they say about the mediterranean diet may be true but... same company, same job, different levels of protection, why?
No pension at all.
The list goes on and the big question is, once the company has pilots working for lower T&C the pressure is going to be on bigtime on the rest to match them, otherwise the jobs will migrate to the lower cost countries. This has happened in every industry. If you think it doesn't apply to you, think again!
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Calypso,
My thoughts exactly, this is the real issue and should be discussed and made aware to all pilots.
Do you guys not see whats happening?? instead of moaning about posting a letter or not focus on the issue and get people to join balpa and stop this "thin end of a very large wedge".
Its too late to start complaining when english bases start shrinking because these new "cheaper bases" can do the job for less money...
@ Tropical wave: "I'm sure if you got involved [hint] with the workings of a porfessional pilots Association you would understand"
havent got a clue what you mean by this
My thoughts exactly, this is the real issue and should be discussed and made aware to all pilots.
Do you guys not see whats happening?? instead of moaning about posting a letter or not focus on the issue and get people to join balpa and stop this "thin end of a very large wedge".
Its too late to start complaining when english bases start shrinking because these new "cheaper bases" can do the job for less money...
@ Tropical wave: "I'm sure if you got involved [hint] with the workings of a porfessional pilots Association you would understand"
havent got a clue what you mean by this
