This article summarises the main developments that have happened in Jetairfly since the last edition of our Cockpit Flash.

TUI Pilot Group Meeting

On 21-24 October 2014, the TUI Pilot Group (TPG) met in Amsterdam. It was attended by representatives of unions and cockpit associations of the different airlines in the TUI group: Thomson, TUIfly, TUI Nordic, Arkefly and even our Canadian colleagues of Sunwing.

For the first time in many years, two Jetairfly pilots joined the meeting, invited by BeCA. As these two pilots had no official mandate, it was emphasized that they were present as observers only. They were accompanied by a BeCA representative from the Committee, who made a presentation about the specificities of pilot representation in Belgium. It was explained that there is currently no official representation of the pilots in JAF, so all information presented during the meeting must be handled with the highest discretion.

The current situation in JAF was explained to the other TPG members. Although they knew that the situation was all but enviable, most of them were pretty shocked when they heard of all the abuses with open rosters, dead heading, compensation for upgrades, changes in contract terms and conditions, etc.

Compared to the other airlines in the group, who have their rights negotiated in clear-cut Collective Labor Agreements (CLAs), we still have a long way to go in Jetairfly.

In view of the “One Aviation Project”, many important negotiations will be necessary in the future, both with the group management and amongst the different airline pilot groups. To secure acceptable conditions for all, a good cooperation between all TPG members is a must. Practical examples of such negotiations are: a mechanism to protect the “source market” of each airline, common scheduling practices, a group seniority list, etc. If JAF does not participate in these negotiations, our current situation risks deteriorating.

On 23 October, TPG members informed the group management of the current situation in JAF, during a side-meeting with One Aviation CEO Henrik Homann. We are still waiting for further feedback on this exchange.

All members of the TPG agreed that the situation in JAF should change ASAP and that the JAF management should feel pressure to act. Therefore, the following action points were proposed:

• Set up in JAF of an official pilot representation covered by unions.
• Launch of official negotiations in view of implementing a real CLA, based on the good work this group performed so far.
• Set up of a B787 TPG working group, with the aim of negotiating common scheduling practices for operating B787 on group level. Representation of all B787 operators, including JAF, is necessary.
• The next TPG meeting will be held in BRU on 4-5-6 February 2015. All JAF pilots are invited to meet TPG members. JAF CEO Eli Bruyninckx will be invited to discuss JAF situation with TPG members.

BeCA will closely and actively monitor any new development regarding this file and will inform all its JAF members in due time.