Competition on labour conditions
Transcription
Competition on labour conditions
VNC Local newsletter nr. 8 Competition on labour conditions The basis of security on board 2014 Publication of Union of Dutch Cabin Personnel Address Stationsplein 406 1117 CL Schiphol-Oost tel: 020-5020480 fax 020-3484520 or postbox VNC at crew-centre VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER Page 2 Editorial All good things must come to an end When years ago I became part of the Big Blue family I had three types, the 747, the 737 and the Airbus 330. The last two were mainly used for European destinations. So I flew mainly Europe the first few years, just like all the newcomers. We looked forward to the day we got the DC-10 for the 737. That is how things were at the time. Only I had to wait a little longer because the DC-10 was replaced by the MD-11. After six years I went to the MD11. Yes, Si Jawohl! And it was easy! Ergonomically not a nice plane. Strange working methods, long distances uphill to reach your working area and only one tourist class galley in the back, with two trolleys of colleagues in front of you. But it was a great plane as to excitement because there you were with seven colleagues in one galley. It was fun if things worked fine. On the layovers we would always spend a lot of time with the crew. If the flight had been okay we did everything together in a good atmosphere. And then the destinations, Vancouver, San Francisco and Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. They were the best! On the MD-11 there was always something going on. On a Quito -Guayaquil we had a broken down generator. No airco, no light and non-working toilets. Maintenance thought they could fix it but only after four hours the passengers were allowed to disembark. We had to stay. We took care of sanitary business flushing with sodas. And then one of the colleagues had a bigger sanitary thing VNC on internet: www.vnconline.nl VNC email: [email protected] to handle. That is when we decided that shitting had to be done overwing. Chief editor: After three hours the stench had beArlette Bruser, come unbearable, the plane was no email: [email protected] longer going to fly and we got a free two days off in Quito. Too bad we Translators: only had our uniform with us. Anneke Kirkaldy All good things must come to an end: Hannet Bilderbeek Sunchi pa bo mi dushi MD-11. Arlette Bruser Chief Editor VNC Outlook on the job It is going to a be a challenge preventing that competition within the AF/KLM Group will develop Competition on labour conditions Can the US refuse access to an airline that is certified by the European Civil Authority based on competition and general interest? The American Dept. of Transportation (DOT) thinks so. In order to use the Open Skies treaty between Europe and the US Norwegian Air international (NAI) registered in Ireland. Not that they tend to start flying from of to Ireland. It is a construction made up to be able to use agreements between countries that were never meant that way. Creative Norwegians and Finns The same it true for the way NAI hires her staff. The opened crew bases in Thailand and hire cockpit and cabin crew on a temporary basis, via agencies. Sand that is a big hit in the north of Europe. Finnair likes it too. Just like the Norwegians not troubled by a membership to the EU whit all the regulations, Finnair is getting rid of staff in order to rent new staff. Indeed with bases in Hong Kong and Singapore and on a temporary basis via job agencies. It is all very creative Editor’s assistent Jannette Passchier CONTENT but bordering on the illegal. In spite of the fact that DOT has not yet rejected the request of the Norwegians, The US have given the signal that they don’t like this kind of creativity. In Europe things look differently. The leaving Euro commissioner of Transport, Kallas, thinks that it is a very good idea. The European parliament has not disagreed or hindered these plans of attacking the normal labour regulations. I think they call that made to measure in Brussels. The chairman of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the American organisation for cabin crew, had a different opinion. “We simply cannot support foreign carriers who dodge laws and regulations and create a global race to the bottom.” They were heard in the US! Editorial 2 Outlook on the job 2 VNC 3 Destination: Canterbury 4 KLM background 5 Destination: Stockholm 6 Well found: lifestyle 7 Interview: the basis of security on board 8 Members counsil 9 Well found travel Keys In Europe that remains to be seen. In Belgium the consent of the EurECCA is blocked. We are waiting for it to happen and we cannot get on with our work. It would have been useless anyway because the European elections have led to a lot of changes and we are still waiting for the new policy makers. What have we done? We have been preparing for the EurECCA. The office on the Rue de Commerce in Brussels is ready and we have VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER the keys. In August we went to Lisbon to meet with the SNP VAC, the Portuguese union. We worked on a website, a logo and an action plan to get into contact with the EASA and the European parliament. In October we will go to Rome to meet with the Italian colleagues of AVIA and catch up with them on the organisation of Eur ECCA. transvavia.com-model with bases in Southern Europe. This airline will hire new staff. Question is under what labour condition and which destination. It is going to be a challenge preventing competition as to labour condition within the AF-KLM Group and make sure that transavia.com is not pushed out of the market because the European equivalent is cheaper. The American cockpit Association once called the Norwegian Transavia.eur “the wolf at the door”. Let's make sure Before we throw ourselves on that with the coming of Transavia.eur we Europe with the aim of preventing don’t find ourselves in the company of competition of the Norwegian the Trojan horse. construction, we still have a fire to extinguish at home. Wrapped in a message of growth, promotion and investment the AF/ KLM CEO has recently given, a new airline is under construction: VNC news VNC in the news There is a lot going on in the world that is also on the news and has to do with flying. One of those issues is the knee defender, the gadget that you can place between your table and your neighbour’s seat, so that he can no longer recline his seat. KLM let us know that they don’t allow the use of it. But it was on the world news and the VNC was approached by the press to share experiences of crew with this gadget. Fortunately we were contacted about more important things, like the Ebola crisis or the AF strike. We are more and more approached for reactions by several media. Talking to the press is not our core business, but our trained VNC people make sure that they are well informed, honest and give good answers to the questions with solid reasons. We make sure that we are in the news in a positive way. Profession market The Website Luchtvaartnieuws.nl was organising a profession market for education and jobs in aviation on Theme Park Aviodrome. It was held on Saturday October 11th in the Aviodrome in Lelystad. VNC was represented on the market, because it is the opportunity for us to get people into contact with our work. For now this is it because I am far too busy: busybusybusy, touch trolley, run to galley, look important! Marion Leguijt General Secretary VNC Page 3 Page 4 DESTINATION Canterbury—Karin Kwakman VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER Page 5 KLM BACKGROUND The wages structure is finished It has taken forever to reach a result with KLM but end August we were ready: there was a concept. After the MC had given consent and they had voted, we had an agreement. So we have a new wages structure for new staff and extra deals to contribute to economising. This is the moment the KLC variety is away form the table. I will tell you more about the extra deals later. The deals. The new structure applies to everybody who will enter KLM/KLC after 28 August 2014. KLM wanted 2013 but we fought hard to get that from the table, KLM is trying hard to digitalise everything for cabin staff as to communication. Now that we have this agreement the mailboxes will disappear, unless KLM feels that paper communication is necessary. The GC 31 will make appointments with KLM on responsibilities. As to doing extra flight in leave, it will have to be on voluntary basis. The consenting after a call from Crew Control will continue to exist, for that is in week one or two. The B737-700 densification and the flying to TLV result in a contribution to Transform 2015. Last: pensions. Although there are no deals, KLM will only do this in consent with the unions. A difficult process With the signing of the agreement along a difficult process of talks has come to and ending. We have tried our very best to come to the best possible result for all cabin colleagues. We hope that we will get some more time in our agendas now to be able to look ahead. It was a turbulent period because KLM tried to tackle the WWR from the start: We started talking about a new wages structure and then KLM came with the KLC variety out of the blue. You probably remember that you all made yourselves heard and that is how we finally reached this result. We came to extra deals and that was in mutual consent and we feel that we have contributed substantially to Transform 2015. Coming CLA During the meeting in October with the MC we want to discuss our wish list with the MC and in November we want to have a formal motion ready, which we can send to KLM. I myself have a number of proposals for the CLA. The IPB regulation: KLM has made it clear that they want to restrict the regulation. We are very surprised now that we have finished Transform 2015, an improved IPB regulation would be a nice gesture and not the other way around. Wages and raise: After the sucThe VNC Board memcessful ending of Transform 2015 the AF/KLM top man developed the bers have done their new vision Perform 2020. The fovery best to get the best cus is on growth. I sincerely hope possible result for the that staff will not have to pay for this. We just made the sacrifices for cabin colleagues Transform 2015 and investing in staff too would be a more logical step. I wish them luck. KLM 95 years On October 2014 KLM exists 95 years, so warm congratulations are in order. Go celebrate the KLM Experience: one day for the whole KLM family. Chris van Elswijk Chairman KLM Section Board VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER Page 6 Destination Stockholm - foto Sander van Dijk VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER Well found: Life Style Wild freshness Do you also hate the awful smell of moist trainers? And are you horrified at the idea of having to wear them again? In that case: Shoefresh can be your new friend! This gadget disinfects and dries your trainers in half an hour, so provided your trainers are also at home, they will be always dry and have no bad smell. Also works for gloves and knee protectors. For 94E and for sale at shoefresh.eu/nl. Handy No chargepoint around and you cell always empty? Aargh! That is all in the past: here is the NomadKey. This key connects your phone with any gadget with a USB-socket. The Key is small, is handy and fits to your keychain. So go look for a USB portal if your phone is nearly empty… 29E viahellonomad.com. Kikkerland Sometimes you a just looking for a small gadget or just a small gift. In the Webshop of Kikkerland.com you can go wild. Ranging form the sun-energy waving Queen Elisabeth to a penguin which is a travel pillow. Nothing is impossible here. What to think of the Critter, a rewindable thing that can dance the samba. In short, there is always something here for someone who has his birthday. Joli Fifty Fathoms was designed in 1953 for the French Marine by the famous watch brand Blancpain. Timeless design combined with a just a touch of heroic mystique around the marine. That makes it a watch you want! James Bond would wear it. You too probably, but you would have to pay some 5000E. At home in Portugal At home in Portugal by Marieke Woudstra is an exciting and adventurous love story in the southern life of Europe. It breathes the love for Portugal. Thuis in Portugal, Marieke Woudstra, 15E. Also as E-book. Reserved Recently I saw a petition against this phenomenon: reserving a place at the pool or at the beach. It is annoying, but why not if this is what everybody does? And to make things easier why not buy this huge towel of 100% cotton with a big print RESERVED on it? All the ten plagues for anyone who takes your reserved place. For sale at megagadgets.nl for 14,95E Page 7 Page 8 VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER Interview: The basis of security on board By Michel Verbeek & Arlette Bruser It is about crew flexibility – we are not supposed to fly at each other’s throats in the cabin The airline industry and the Airport Police are interconnected. We pay a visit to the training centre of the Airport Police, the KMAR, where Lieke van Zaltbommel and Marcel de Boer give us a tour and tell us all about security on board. The Airport Police is a corps with military status. They work everywhere, functioning as boarder police but also are bodyguards for the Royal Family. For years on end the Airport Police is takes care of our security training on board, which is the basis of our functioning on board. Our primary task is the safety on board: serving meals and offering tax-free articles are part of our commercial tasks. The contents of training are legally bound to consist of twelve components and have to be given in a timespan of five years. “ All new CA’s of Dutch airlines come and see us in a training”, Lieke and Marcel tell us. “ Not just cabin crews, but also the pilots of KLM, Transavia.com, Corendon and the smaller airlines the general Aviation. In the initial training it is mainly about safe flights and what cabin crew can do to contribute to that. No fighting machines A better environment starts with you and this is also true for security. We are all selected by the same criteria: servicemindedness, social skills and conflict evasive behaviour. The KMAR shows us a different model. Or the fighting machine we see in movies, but rather a sort of profiler conscious of the public on board and a CA who is proactive when necessary. Marcel: “ After a morning visit to the arms room, where you are confronted with the strangest arms people think they can bring on board, we talk about aggression on board. We see that during our training in our mock-up the behaviour of our shiest CA is changed. We simulate aggression incidents in a small space, and we see that with the right tools and a good cooperation most situations are handled well. It is about crew flexibility here – we are not supposed to fly at each other’s throats here on board. Determining where your boundaries are and choosing the moment this line is crossed where you explicitly say that this is where it ends, that is where this training is about. It gives the class confidence on board which they can use. And thanks to teamwork you can ask more experienced colleagues for advice and talk about which actions to take’. Attracting attention Lieke: “ Awareness and security are closely related. Be aware of your surroundings and the effect the uniform has on people. A uniform gives you authority but also attracts attention. The clearly visible and recognisable KLM uniform can also attract the attention of people with evil plans. For instance think of unguarded uniform parts and suitcases. You don’t just represent the airline you work for, but are also part of the country where your airline comes from. In times Holland chooses sides in a conflict it does not harm you to give yourself a critical look. Marcel: “ In the initial training for instance we give examples. Somebody ordered something aboard, but he cannot pick it up as a result of a roster change. He asks a colleague to pick it up. You get a description of the article and you are told to open the package to check it. All is well so it seems, but is that true? Is the package what it seems? Has it been tampered with? Taking care of someone else’s package can be a hazardous affair which can endanger your flight and you.” Check your destination Finally: how aware are you of your destination? Tel Aviv is a clear case; there are additional security measures at Schiphol and at the destination. But what about destinations that are at first sight okay? Are you aware of the political situation in the country, have there been recent demonstrations, have there been threats? On the CIS you get information about that and the Purser and Captain are also well informed. Still it does happen that colleagues do take trips to for instance the pyramids and get into trouble. After the initial and the three yearly recurrent we travel and take trips. But after many flights, usually without problems, your awareness diminishes. The routine causes that our security awareness diminishes and that makes us vulnerable unintentionally. There is really no harm in remembering the skills you were taught by the KMAR. VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER Page 9 Report Members Council September 2014 A full agenda The MC first wanted to deal with the urgent CLA motion Protocol Wages structure new Staff. We had a full agenda. There was a bill buy the Daily Board about how to deal with the age conscious staff policy. The bill asked about the ideas of the MC as to the recommendations done by the project team. Furthermore there were a number of other important matters to discuss Protocol Wages Structure new staff Since September 2012 !!!The VNC has been talking to KLM about this new wages structure for new staff. This has taken so long because we thought we already had contributed to the cost cuts at an earlier stage (Transform 2015). You all remember the fierce reactions to Black Thursday, the day in November 2013. The day KLM totally unexpected announced to transform the Europe production to KLC. Both KLM and KLC were unpleasantly surprised and very much against this plan just like the KLM staff is totally against a cuts in the WRR. For two years and even before that the MC and you, our members have been informed about the developments. You supported the VNC with information, support and opinions. The MC had to take difficult decisions about complex matters and we discussed them endlessly. Eventually in April 2014 this led to a decision in the MC about cuts on wages for new staff. But KLM wanted more and came up with additional measures. The MC has now taken a decision about that. We knew what we wanted and where we were headed and that is how we came to a motion that was approved unanimously. You probably already read about the consequences for the new CA in other publications in this magazine. The chairman evaluated the long process and explained how we came to this outcome. Important contributions were mentioned such as the Workers Council, the GC31, members who talked to colleagues on Black Thursday, Negotiator Victor Kloos, legal departments, the VNC office and the MC itself, that functioned as mediator between all the parties to realise this result. Giving in to KLM – this painful new wages structure for new staff- has been approved by the entire MC. The new meeting of October 2nd focussed on the new CLA negotiations 2015. Age conscious staff policy (ACSP) The members of the MC agreed about the importance of ACSP. The members asked for more recommendations of the project team, but there was no agreement on how and what. It was clear though that new ideas and research is desirable, just like communication about this topic to the members. ACSP is sometimes called policy for the elderly but that is incorrect. It is about all phases in a life. For instance colleagues who just had a baby or parents whose children just left home. We talked about that and we also talked about how those phases relate to the number of flight hours. There is a difference between a 40-eyars-old colleague who just started flying and a colleague who started flying with KLC at the age of 20 and who just received the 10.000 hours flight badge. You see, this is a very complex matter. State of affairs We discussed several topics. We talked about the request system and possible improvements and solutions in the system. One of the members of the project team P&A GC31 gave detailed information, which proved that most of the topics of the shortlist were solved. The only tropic that will have to be solved is the 28-days roster. Welcome to join us! The MC meetings are held every first Thursday of the month. The topics on the agenda are published on the website and FB page of the VNC one week before the actual meeting. Are you a member of the KLM section and you want to present? Send an email to [email protected]. Daily Board MC vlnr: Paul Millward, Frank Oostenbrug, Michaël Vis, Marguerite Moquette en Monique Mulder Page 10 VNC LOCAL NEWSLETTER Well Found: travel Edinburgh – The Devil’s Advocate When in Edinburgh it is certainly worth the trouble in all the small alleys and streets to go and see the alley Advocate. In this steep alley there is a restaurant called The Devil’s Advocate. They make lovely cocktails at the bar (Gauntlet Gun s one to die for) and after the aperitif you take place at one of the wooden tables. Get surprised by the haggis Bitterballen (a modern version of the traditional Scottish dish) or go for the solid hamburger. The Devil’s Advocate serves simple dishes and they taste really well. A place to remember. Advocate’s Close Devilsadvoacteedinburgh.co.uk Wroclaw – Jahrhunderthalle There is a newcomer in the cities you can visit in Poland: Wroclaw (pronounce: Vrots-Waf). An up and coming city that is the European Cultural Capital of 2016. The Jahrhunderthalle, built in commemoration of the battle of Leipzig, is on the Unesco protection list and is a hall of events. Watch the chapel, the biggest except for the Pantheon in Rome. The garden around it with the multi media fountain is also worth a visit, just like the exhibition of never published pictures of Marilyn Monroe, who is a highlight in the sight. Reykjavik –KOL The capital of Iceland is full of cosy restaurants, but KOL is the pearl of al restaurants. KOL is modern and has a ditto menu. It takes some time before you know what you can order and in what combinations, but everything looks great and tastes wonderfully. Nice concept: if you like the chef can surprise you with four small dishes. Ideal for sharing as a starter. KOL is not really cheap, but in fact that is true for everything in Iceland. Skólavòustígur 40 Kolrestaurants.is Tokio – Daiwa Sushi Say Japan and you will say: sushi. Where can you get the best sushi? Daiwa Sushi is the one in the capital. It is near the Tsukjii fish market and very popular by the Japanese. A line of an hour for the best sushi ever, but the fact remains that people are queuing when you are eating the best sushi. So you are expected to be outside after twenty minutes. Tsujii market Partó BLGD, 5-2 Tsukjii, Chuo Lonelyplanet.com/japan/Tokyo/restaurants/sushi…/daiwa-suhsi