easyJet Employing Contract Captains in Summer 2010
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easyJet Employing Contract Captains in Summer 2010
My spies tell me that while it is all smiles and reconciliation at Hangar 89, behind the scenes easyJet management have made plans to employ 75 contract captains for the 2010 summer season. I cannot verify this yet as I have had only one source, but it did come 'straight from the horse's mouth'.
Furthermore, easyJet have approached Oxford Air Training to provde low-houred and, by definition, very cheap pilots to undertake type-rating training early in the new year. They must be willing to work at both UK and European bases on a contract basis. The cost of the deal to the aspiring pilot is around £30k and for his troubles, he receives a low pay and the chance to fly as an FO for easyJet. Alas, predictably there is a significant uptake of young people to this scheme who are willing to work for no guarantee whatsoever of permanent employment at the end, Tesco shop assistant wages in the meantime and a massive increase in their already-significant debt.
Both these plans are in keeping with the policies of the 'Roland Berger Report', which is a document commissioned by easyJet management detailing how to emulate Ryanair practices and costs. A key feature of the report was the de-unionisation of the company through temporary contracts and sub-contracted work, which meant that many of the pilots flying for the company would not actually be easyJet employees.
Furthermore, easyJet have approached Oxford Air Training to provde low-houred and, by definition, very cheap pilots to undertake type-rating training early in the new year. They must be willing to work at both UK and European bases on a contract basis. The cost of the deal to the aspiring pilot is around £30k and for his troubles, he receives a low pay and the chance to fly as an FO for easyJet. Alas, predictably there is a significant uptake of young people to this scheme who are willing to work for no guarantee whatsoever of permanent employment at the end, Tesco shop assistant wages in the meantime and a massive increase in their already-significant debt.
Both these plans are in keeping with the policies of the 'Roland Berger Report', which is a document commissioned by easyJet management detailing how to emulate Ryanair practices and costs. A key feature of the report was the de-unionisation of the company through temporary contracts and sub-contracted work, which meant that many of the pilots flying for the company would not actually be easyJet employees.
Last edited by Alexander de Meerkat; 17th Dec 2009 at 10:46.
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Contract Captains as well now? I wondered when that one was going to come. If the management hadn't convinced all of us to stand up for ourselves with everything else, I would like to think that this issue will make everyone stand up and be counted. Some communication and leadership please BALPA!
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I hope this is not true but given the latest FO contracts from parc and CTC I would not be surprised. With regards the FO and Capt contracts I would strike tomorrow. If we let contract capts in the next round of upgrades will be temp contracts again or upgrades onto a contract similar to the new join FO's are getting. Block hour pay, no lol etc etc. It amazes me that some people just don't see the danger this all presents!!!
All the skippers and FO's on a full time permanent contracts, take a long look at one another. We are all part of a dying breed at EZY!!
All the skippers and FO's on a full time permanent contracts, take a long look at one another. We are all part of a dying breed at EZY!!
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Can’t help but recall my mate who met a Greek economics advisor to the easyjet board. The incredulity on his face as he told me of the contempt this guy had for pilots was a picture. Apparently, this advisors' view was that before long it will be possible for easy and ryan to employ former Soviet Bloc pilots on a kind of commuting contract at "a fraction" of current wages and conditions. They would be on totally flexible terms and used and dropped as necessary. They would also serve to, if I quote my mate correctly in recounting what he heard this guy say, serve to "keep the few wretched Europeans we have to employ as trainers and so on honest by holding down their wages".
Don’t count on the supine CAA to help here - their goal is the keep the air travel market "dynamic", (read as low a cost to the public as conceivable), and the 'regulation', such as it is, is increasingly devolved to the airline itself for self-audit. Likewise BALPA - there is absolutely no public understanding of the contribution a secure, stable, professionally remunerated pilot workforce make to the safety and efficiency of an airline and I doubt they can halt the slide either.
It took the Bader Commission that stopped the abuse of pilots flying hours for there to be a change in that area with the introduction of Flight Time Limitations, (themselves now used as a target, not an absolute limit as previously intended), and the Commission itself was prompted by a string of accidents. I am appalled to say it, but until the same happens and it is attributable to the degradation of skills and stability in the flightdeck then nothing but nothing will halt the slide. This industry will go the way of the UK Merchant Fleet: totally off-shored.
The only other thing that may stop it is the insurance industry that is asked to underwrite this circus. In the merchant fleet they have now pretty much refused to insure, for example, single hulled oil tankers. The risk is too great. Likewise, BP who off-shored all their merchant crewing, went back to a UK crew and its own nautical training college, I believe I am right in saying, because the risk was deemed to great otherwise and insurance rates demanded it.
That alone, cold hard cash, will change this but, as the merchant fleet found, not before many ships had foundered or been sunk and crews lives lost with environmental catastrophe caused.
Regulation might too, but show me a single MP who knows anything of worth about the civil airline sector, let alone a journalist in the mainstream press, (99% sensationalist B*st*rds when it comes to airline reporting).
It’s a sad, sad situation. Would be CTC cadets take note before you burn your or your parent’s hard-earned cash.
Don’t count on the supine CAA to help here - their goal is the keep the air travel market "dynamic", (read as low a cost to the public as conceivable), and the 'regulation', such as it is, is increasingly devolved to the airline itself for self-audit. Likewise BALPA - there is absolutely no public understanding of the contribution a secure, stable, professionally remunerated pilot workforce make to the safety and efficiency of an airline and I doubt they can halt the slide either.
It took the Bader Commission that stopped the abuse of pilots flying hours for there to be a change in that area with the introduction of Flight Time Limitations, (themselves now used as a target, not an absolute limit as previously intended), and the Commission itself was prompted by a string of accidents. I am appalled to say it, but until the same happens and it is attributable to the degradation of skills and stability in the flightdeck then nothing but nothing will halt the slide. This industry will go the way of the UK Merchant Fleet: totally off-shored.
The only other thing that may stop it is the insurance industry that is asked to underwrite this circus. In the merchant fleet they have now pretty much refused to insure, for example, single hulled oil tankers. The risk is too great. Likewise, BP who off-shored all their merchant crewing, went back to a UK crew and its own nautical training college, I believe I am right in saying, because the risk was deemed to great otherwise and insurance rates demanded it.
That alone, cold hard cash, will change this but, as the merchant fleet found, not before many ships had foundered or been sunk and crews lives lost with environmental catastrophe caused.
Regulation might too, but show me a single MP who knows anything of worth about the civil airline sector, let alone a journalist in the mainstream press, (99% sensationalist B*st*rds when it comes to airline reporting).
It’s a sad, sad situation. Would be CTC cadets take note before you burn your or your parent’s hard-earned cash.
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Well if this is true there are around 65% of people that would strike tomorrow.
They took us to task on this last time and they knew the reaction so I would be very, very surprised if this is true.
I am sure it is a threat to push through another batch of seasonal commands or a reduced command contract...
They took us to task on this last time and they knew the reaction so I would be very, very surprised if this is true.
I am sure it is a threat to push through another batch of seasonal commands or a reduced command contract...
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If EasyJet wants to work with permanent "contractors" then they are doing completely illegal practices, just like Ryanair.
European legislation states that any person who is receiving a duty schedule (roster), company uniform and holiday/ off-days from a company is an EMPLOYEE of that company and NOT self-employed. The company is then accountable for organising false self-employment,which is a crime and which is always the resonsibility of the employer, not the employee. As a result, the company is also liable to pay the employees taxes etc.
Also, to be "self-employed" you need to have at least 2 customers, something which is not allowed by most airlines...
I have extensive files from various law-firms about this (mostly focussing on the Belgian legislation) and the case is very simple. The airlines EMPLOY us, there is no such thing as self-employed pilots flying full time for airlines.
European legislation states that any person who is receiving a duty schedule (roster), company uniform and holiday/ off-days from a company is an EMPLOYEE of that company and NOT self-employed. The company is then accountable for organising false self-employment,which is a crime and which is always the resonsibility of the employer, not the employee. As a result, the company is also liable to pay the employees taxes etc.
Also, to be "self-employed" you need to have at least 2 customers, something which is not allowed by most airlines...
I have extensive files from various law-firms about this (mostly focussing on the Belgian legislation) and the case is very simple. The airlines EMPLOY us, there is no such thing as self-employed pilots flying full time for airlines.
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Add to which soon to be introduced legisaltion that will entitle 'contract' staff exactly the same terms and conditions as permanent staff, then the supposed advantages of employing 'contract' staff begins to disappear.
It strikes me that the airline industry in this country is rapidly approaching rock bottom and the time has come to man the barricades, and that means everyone.
It strikes me that the airline industry in this country is rapidly approaching rock bottom and the time has come to man the barricades, and that means everyone.
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Thats as far as we go. Contract fo must stop. Contract captains must never start.
Lets have confirmation from Balpa, if there is any doubt let the company know what the ramifications will be.
Strike is a final action i am sure there are many ways we can interupt the efficient flow of the well oiled machine.
Should these not bring the company to there senses then lets walk.
Let us not do a ryan air lets stand our ground and protect the minimal terms and conditions we have.
Oil drums at the ready
Lets have confirmation from Balpa, if there is any doubt let the company know what the ramifications will be.
Strike is a final action i am sure there are many ways we can interupt the efficient flow of the well oiled machine.
Should these not bring the company to there senses then lets walk.
Let us not do a ryan air lets stand our ground and protect the minimal terms and conditions we have.
Oil drums at the ready
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despegue,
whilst I agree broadly with what you say, tell me then how, year after year Ryanair have, and are continuing to, get away with it ?
Strange that Easy shelled out so much for some fancy consultants (no doubt some tasty back-handers there ? ) to tell them what anyone could have told them for free .Just do what Ryanair do and cr@p on everyones terms and conditions willy-nilly, quite simple really.
The question ladies & gentlemen, is whether you , and BALPA are going to stop them. If you don't ? well you are stuffed, and will be even more stuffed each and every year, just like the blue and yellow team.
Forget the economic situation, they need you as much as you need them, this is not about the economic survival of Easy , this is about them trousering some more bonuses on your back.
If you have b@lls, now is surely the time to use them, as there won't be a next time, this is castration or reprocration, stuff it up them please, for all of our sakes.
whilst I agree broadly with what you say, tell me then how, year after year Ryanair have, and are continuing to, get away with it ?
Strange that Easy shelled out so much for some fancy consultants (no doubt some tasty back-handers there ? ) to tell them what anyone could have told them for free .Just do what Ryanair do and cr@p on everyones terms and conditions willy-nilly, quite simple really.
The question ladies & gentlemen, is whether you , and BALPA are going to stop them. If you don't ? well you are stuffed, and will be even more stuffed each and every year, just like the blue and yellow team.
Forget the economic situation, they need you as much as you need them, this is not about the economic survival of Easy , this is about them trousering some more bonuses on your back.
If you have b@lls, now is surely the time to use them, as there won't be a next time, this is castration or reprocration, stuff it up them please, for all of our sakes.
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Not the first time !
Easy has in the past used contract captains few years back , they used PARC .
but it was a short contract while they trained there crew on the bus .this time it will be different if they follow the Ryan air example .
but it was a short contract while they trained there crew on the bus .this time it will be different if they follow the Ryan air example .
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in 2006 KLCuk pilots voted for strike action, the ballot was 100% yes! however there was no strike as the company agreed to acas talks and a settlement was agreed.
I believe BA balloted for strike action agains the new openskies airline in 2008, however the company challenged the legality in the courts and BALPA backed down.
I believe BA balloted for strike action agains the new openskies airline in 2008, however the company challenged the legality in the courts and BALPA backed down.
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While I agree with most statements here, i would doubt a strike could resolve the situation, in the best of cases would postpone some ideas...
Maybe some of you guys noticed most job offers posted on flight or pjn are from contractors, and honestly, being unemployed I would post a CV on any of those I fit. Not to speak of the low experience guys who after a costly ATP training still hv to pay for the TR, and then at the bottom line of bossible waiting list, and maybe some years doing some survival jobs consider even paying just to get to the promissed seat! Who puts its hope on Unions are dreamers, our Union gets us a rise 3-4% a year telling its an improvement over an official 2% inflation rate a year while the reality is between 12-13%, at least for the stuff i hv to pay... I think UK might not be that different.
Unfortunately companies are not ordering many planes this days, and those performing best are those "contracting" , so, an outlook for crew shortage? I don't count on this, keep it real, if western crews are applying for eastern companies, Uk pilots flying for the carriers of their former colonies (to upgrade salary and lifestyle!) why doubt if guys from every corner show up and get the job as long he does it for fewer bucks!
Another thing some of you may think wrong is about the skills people from other places may bring, because the flightschool, in order to comply with the LCC New Order and compete with others on the self sponsoring wannabees, thighten the program to a minimum and the idea of using some simulators its posible to place a Katana almost proficient guy to a A320 right seat
On the other side, the other day a captain in my company on a GT, stopped for break and got a bus drivers discount in the restaurant
Lets fly whille it makes fun, the we continue for the addiction and when you wanna give up its too late anyway!
cheers
Maybe some of you guys noticed most job offers posted on flight or pjn are from contractors, and honestly, being unemployed I would post a CV on any of those I fit. Not to speak of the low experience guys who after a costly ATP training still hv to pay for the TR, and then at the bottom line of bossible waiting list, and maybe some years doing some survival jobs consider even paying just to get to the promissed seat! Who puts its hope on Unions are dreamers, our Union gets us a rise 3-4% a year telling its an improvement over an official 2% inflation rate a year while the reality is between 12-13%, at least for the stuff i hv to pay... I think UK might not be that different.
Unfortunately companies are not ordering many planes this days, and those performing best are those "contracting" , so, an outlook for crew shortage? I don't count on this, keep it real, if western crews are applying for eastern companies, Uk pilots flying for the carriers of their former colonies (to upgrade salary and lifestyle!) why doubt if guys from every corner show up and get the job as long he does it for fewer bucks!
Another thing some of you may think wrong is about the skills people from other places may bring, because the flightschool, in order to comply with the LCC New Order and compete with others on the self sponsoring wannabees, thighten the program to a minimum and the idea of using some simulators its posible to place a Katana almost proficient guy to a A320 right seat
On the other side, the other day a captain in my company on a GT, stopped for break and got a bus drivers discount in the restaurant
Lets fly whille it makes fun, the we continue for the addiction and when you wanna give up its too late anyway!
cheers
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I think its time for the EZY guys to stand up and be counted.... been a busy past few weeks for the orange board room me thinks.
Last edited by McBruce; 21st Dec 2009 at 00:47.
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Strike action by British pilots within the UK would appear to be illegal:
British pilots to strike over long hours - politics.co.uk
British pilots to strike over long hours - politics.co.uk
Ut Sementem Feeceris
Strike action by British pilots within the UK would appear to be illegal
A4
) during the protests a few months ago.