EasyJet pilots asked to consider strike action
EasyJet pilots are considering strike action in protest of pay and contracts ahead of the airline’s annual meeting on Thursday.
The airline announced 330 new permanent jobs for pilots at the beginning of February.
But BALPA general secretary, Jim McAuslan, has dismissed the announcement as ‘spin’ claiming it is simply forcing casual pilot workers to sign onerous contracts with low pay and conditions.
The pilot’s union is asking existing easyJet employees about their willingness to take industrial action if this situation cannot be resolved.
In a letter to easyJet chairman Sir Michael Rake, McAuslan said: "Pilots reading news stories such as ‘330 new permanent jobs for pilots’ know the truth of casual employment and low conditions at easyJet.
"They know that this new contract will, after debt repayments, leave them bringing home less than they might earn by working in a bar."
He said the airline is moving the pilots onto "B-scale" contracts, on lower terms and conditions than their colleagues and only after working on a ‘zero-hours’ basis for two years with no job security.
Commenting on this issue, Jim McAuslan said: "This is not a case of existing pilots wanting more; it is experienced pilots reaching out to support those struggling to start their careers."
BALPA estimates that these new B scale pilots will, on average, have little more than £1,000 per month to live on.
This is after having to service the huge debts of £100,000 plus that are now being required to get the basic pilot’s licence.
A spokesman for easyJet said: "easyJet’s continued profitable growth has enabled it to offer 330 new permanent positions for pilots this year.
"Like other young professionals (doctors, lawyers, architects etc) pilots earn relatively less when they are training in their early years.
"Because we are one of the few airlines to be growing profitably in Europe these pilots will have the potential to move from First Officer to Captain more quickly than at other airlines.
"When filling these 330 roles, priority will be given to pilots employed by easyJet’s aviation training partners, CTC Aviation and Parc, who are already gaining experience as pilots with easyJet.
"We have endeavoured to engage with the pilots union and we call upon them to work constructively with easyJet to ensure the airline’s continued success."
Diane
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