Easyjet Recruitment
Ut Sementem Feeceris
FRying,
Under UK EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION, UK pilots CANNOT refuse to operate the French flights! To do so would open themselves up to possible dismissal for breach of their UK contract and if they are a BALPA member could expose the union itself to court action. This is the official line from BALPA.
I'm not sure many of the crews operating ex CDG/ORY today are "happy" to be doing so but they simply have no option.
As I understand it, under French law it is forbidden to use "strike breakers" - so there may be an issue for the company to deal with going forward.
Faced with the same scenario, what would you honestly do? Would you risk your job/livelihood ? Really?
Under UK EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION, UK pilots CANNOT refuse to operate the French flights! To do so would open themselves up to possible dismissal for breach of their UK contract and if they are a BALPA member could expose the union itself to court action. This is the official line from BALPA.
I'm not sure many of the crews operating ex CDG/ORY today are "happy" to be doing so but they simply have no option.
As I understand it, under French law it is forbidden to use "strike breakers" - so there may be an issue for the company to deal with going forward.
Faced with the same scenario, what would you honestly do? Would you risk your job/livelihood ? Really?
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EZ european colleagues will be more than happy to replace their France-based couterparts during the strike these days.
*what he said above*
Last edited by greywind; 15th Aug 2012 at 09:33.
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"As far as I'm aware it's not legal for UK crew to refuse to operate in support of French strike action. I doubt everyone is happily queueing up and volunteering to operate these flights." ---->>> Wow we're lucky, the law is there for an excuse for not facing our responsibility !! That was close...
A4, what I hope would happen is to see BALPA and the French union acting together towards better, steady and equal T&Cs across all countries EZ operate in. A 350 millions profit airline putting their pilots to such poor standards of pay and working conditions is a terrible shame. And more terrible is the fact pilots and unions don't even have any response !!!!! T&Cs at EZ are not even management's fault. That's the unions and the pilots' fault as they simply bend over. It would take the slightest common action from Balpa+the german+the French to lead EZ to better demeanors.
Why in hell would EZ's management act any differently since there is no response from the unions ? Personally, I would take the very same path as EZ's management :
- make pilots pay for the choice of aircraft type (i.e. make them pay for their type rating),
- keep juniors in a state of high dependance and no other option than to keep their mouths shut,
- always hire new recruits at a lower price than the previous so as to be able to put more pressure on the older guys for lower T&Cs.
And all that with no strike action, not even the least moaning. Our population has turned into cattle. No wonder they cannot even decide to take extra fuel for CBs at destination
A4, what I hope would happen is to see BALPA and the French union acting together towards better, steady and equal T&Cs across all countries EZ operate in. A 350 millions profit airline putting their pilots to such poor standards of pay and working conditions is a terrible shame. And more terrible is the fact pilots and unions don't even have any response !!!!! T&Cs at EZ are not even management's fault. That's the unions and the pilots' fault as they simply bend over. It would take the slightest common action from Balpa+the german+the French to lead EZ to better demeanors.
Why in hell would EZ's management act any differently since there is no response from the unions ? Personally, I would take the very same path as EZ's management :
- make pilots pay for the choice of aircraft type (i.e. make them pay for their type rating),
- keep juniors in a state of high dependance and no other option than to keep their mouths shut,
- always hire new recruits at a lower price than the previous so as to be able to put more pressure on the older guys for lower T&Cs.
And all that with no strike action, not even the least moaning. Our population has turned into cattle. No wonder they cannot even decide to take extra fuel for CBs at destination
Last edited by FRying; 15th Aug 2012 at 10:24.
Ut Sementem Feeceris
Yes FRying - I agree with you! The point is that presented with a roster change for tomorrow - i.e. position to ORY to operate, a UK pilot has no option if he wants to keep paying his mortgage!
The collective action you describe would have to be collectively organised but that would be a separate issue. This current dispute in France is related to their (i.e. French contract) pay negotiations - which is, legally, "nothing" to do with us - note I said legally not morally/collective good/sympathetic etc
The law is very much on the side of the company. In France, not so much.
The collective action you describe would have to be collectively organised but that would be a separate issue. This current dispute in France is related to their (i.e. French contract) pay negotiations - which is, legally, "nothing" to do with us - note I said legally not morally/collective good/sympathetic etc
The law is very much on the side of the company. In France, not so much.
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If all EZ entities need to act together, then so be it. But the situation needs to be adressed or soon we will all, in all airlines, have to consider temping to make the ends meet while managements will enjoy their fat bonuses.
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Some time ago there was rumour Easy were going to recruit experienced pilots. Anyone in the know have any 'inclination' as to whether the airline will actually follow this route.. It seemed to stop at just rated pilots, then of course CTC cadets
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No, funnily enough I didn't! And I don't wish to either, I proof read a page and got bored of the usual babble!! But nontheless you are probably right, it probably is very unlikely!!! But just wanted to see what any Easyjet insiders had to say, sometime ago there were suggestions the airline may have an experience gap problem, just wanted to see if they needed experienced pilots, if not then I suspect CTC as usual :-)
Are any of you old enough to remember the 1989 Australian Strike?
I do, and I well remember trying to persuade fellow-pilots not to go out there and get involved in a situation that had nothing to do with them.
Those of us who are old enough will remember the Britannia crews who flew their B737s halfway round the world with BALPA blessing to break the strike.
Please tell me that I am wrong.
I do, and I well remember trying to persuade fellow-pilots not to go out there and get involved in a situation that had nothing to do with them.
Those of us who are old enough will remember the Britannia crews who flew their B737s halfway round the world with BALPA blessing to break the strike.
Please tell me that I am wrong.
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It makes no mention on CTC's website but this a 3 year flexi crew contract. Don't think this is anything else, or that 3 year contract will magically lead to a permanent contract.
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Thanks Greywind, well I've not given up hope, I was hoping that with movement to BA, Emirates and others they would not be able to sustain recruitment purely of low houred cadets
Goosemaverick, when I read that sometime ago it also made me chuckle.. If they want to suggest CTC are high calibre than ok, but experienced they are most certainly not!!!!!! Lol
Goosemaverick, when I read that sometime ago it also made me chuckle.. If they want to suggest CTC are high calibre than ok, but experienced they are most certainly not!!!!!! Lol
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I do not think it is a factual statement to say that easyJet have no intention of giving permanent pilot contracts any time soon in the UK. There is about to be a period of intense negotiation between BALPA and the easyJet management to thrash out some deal on the subject. Until that is sorted, the management are understandably holding their trump card (flexicrew contracts) close to their chest. This is arguably the biggest issue facing easyJet pilots right now and it is going to be messy. In essence, the management want to trade permanent contracts for 'flexibility' - whatever that means. There will be a lot of horse-trading and we need to go in fighting in order to win this. This is one we should never, ever have allowed to happen and it is now a really hard one to fight. Nonetheless, there are numerous pilots willing to go on strike to sort this should the need arise. We simply have no choice but to go all the way on this - my impression is that at last most pilots are waking up to the clear and present danger they face if the situation is left unchallenged.
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Numerous pilots but unfortunately BALPA CC always seem to advise " keep the powder dry ". I would suggest that we have already seen the "whites of the enemies eyes" and instead of "letting him have it" we have been bayoneted instead. Its impossible to revive the wounded when he has suffered a terminal blow.
War is over my friend. Flexicrew is here to stay.
Nonetheless, there are numerous pilots willing to go on strike to sort this should the need arise. We simply have no choice but to go all the way on this - my impression is that at last most pilots are waking up to the clear and present danger they face if the situation is left unchallenged.
War is over my friend. Flexicrew is here to stay.
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Mr Meerkat,
If easyJet intend on offering permanent contracts in the UK, why on earth are you suggesting that the workforce must gear themselves up for a fight and strike?
It is, I am told, the intention of easyJet to retain FlexiCrew and indeed spread it to the rank of captain. We will both agree this is a wholly unacceptable position and would be in support of any action against it. To give the impression that UK contracts are imminent is rather misleading. Hopefully they will be but you are right, only with a fight. Not a great prospect for a new joiner who will be number 300 in the queue.
If I were to offer any advice to prospective FlexiCrew, it would be to not join in the hope of becoming a permanent employee anytime soon. The management of easyJet have very clear ideas of how they want to employ people and unless Mr Meerkat and his colleagues present a very real threat through industrial action, this is unlikely to change.
Terribly sad as otherwise, it's a very nice company to work in.
If easyJet intend on offering permanent contracts in the UK, why on earth are you suggesting that the workforce must gear themselves up for a fight and strike?
It is, I am told, the intention of easyJet to retain FlexiCrew and indeed spread it to the rank of captain. We will both agree this is a wholly unacceptable position and would be in support of any action against it. To give the impression that UK contracts are imminent is rather misleading. Hopefully they will be but you are right, only with a fight. Not a great prospect for a new joiner who will be number 300 in the queue.
If I were to offer any advice to prospective FlexiCrew, it would be to not join in the hope of becoming a permanent employee anytime soon. The management of easyJet have very clear ideas of how they want to employ people and unless Mr Meerkat and his colleagues present a very real threat through industrial action, this is unlikely to change.
Terribly sad as otherwise, it's a very nice company to work in.
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I think you'll find Balpa have a different view on that period of 'intense negotiation' and the advice they are giving to flexicrew is walk away if you get the opportunity. Given the history of negotiations in Easyjet this one will take a very long time unless the management undergo an epiphany. Any time they get close to a reasonable settlement Del Boy Brady wades in and changes the game.
A game best avoided for those in considerable debt.
A game best avoided for those in considerable debt.
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Sounds about right. So BALPA are fighting flexicrew by asking people not to join?! That's like asking people not to take a pay rise! Never going to happen. So that's that then. Only BALPA can stop it and they are going about it in a ridiculous ineffective way! Looks like it is here to stay for now.
BALPA should be looking at this urgently in my opinion but put some good brains on it for goodness sake!
BALPA should be looking at this urgently in my opinion but put some good brains on it for goodness sake!
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EU Member State
To Make a long story short Easyjet is in breach of EU law. All member states are bound by following law.
European Union - Article 119 Treaty of Rome 1957 (later article 141)
European Union - Article 157
Basically its ' equal pay for equal work '. No exemption for any member state or companies working within.
So anyone joining Easyjet should start at pay scale 1 for FO's and Capt's and increase every year.
Easyjet are not allowed to hire Flexicrew, Permanent FO/Capt or contract pilots on different pay.
Why is BALPA not stopping all this nonsense when easyjet is breaking the law?
European Union - Article 119 Treaty of Rome 1957 (later article 141)
European Union - Article 157
Basically its ' equal pay for equal work '. No exemption for any member state or companies working within.
So anyone joining Easyjet should start at pay scale 1 for FO's and Capt's and increase every year.
Easyjet are not allowed to hire Flexicrew, Permanent FO/Capt or contract pilots on different pay.
Why is BALPA not stopping all this nonsense when easyjet is breaking the law?