Possible strike at Belgocontrol on 25 June

[sn26567]

ACV/CSC Transcom threatens to conduct a strike action from 25 June at Belgocontrol, said this Monday the Christian union in a statement.

The announcement is the result of "several important issues for the future operation of Belgocontrol and its employees," says the union.

ACV/CSC Transcom cites, among others, issues related to staffing, training and the maintenance and operation of the systems. The union also regrets "the unrealistic savings imposed by the European Commission and the Belgian authorities."

Since 2012, 3.5% should be saved annually, but the union would like to see savings drop to 3.2% over the next five years. "These savings are blind to the detriment of the quality of service and security. Recruitment and investments were frozen with adverse consequences on working conditions,"according to the union.

"The AVC/CSC Transcom will not tolerate a policy that jeopardizes the safety of air traffic and passengers in exchange for a good relation with Europe."

The union filed a strike warning both at Belgocontrol and at the federal authority. Negotiations have already started at the air traffic handler and another meeting is scheduled for Monday at 10:00 am, said the union's Kurt Callaerts.

The union will consider this week "what action should be taken if necessary."

After L'Avenir

[Passenger]

Here's the christian press release by the christian trade union ACV (Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond) about this rather un-christian "let's screw the passengers once more":

http://acv-transcom.acv-online.be/Mobil ... f_juni.asp

[EBBU]

It might be that, contrary to passenger's belief, the target of the strike won't be the passengers leaving on holiday but the european summit that will be held on thursday the 26th of june. The holiday exodus should start on friday, not thursday.

[sn26567]

(irrelevant posts removed)

[AirOpinion]

As if there are no passengers leaving for their holiday the 26th of june... guess what, everyday of the year there are people starting their holiday in BRU. Any strike will affect passengers or business man chasing their dreams. I would never forgive myself to do such an injustice to these people by going on strike!

[sean1982]

That's exactly what I put, but André found it irrelevant
Couldn't agree more, pure egocentrism. The army should be allowed to take over from the strikers

[Nevihta]

Well, I think ATC are well aware there are people departing everyday...

AirOpinion, will you forgive yourself if you screw up at your job jeopardizing hundreds of lives because working conditions are poor, because you work too much, your company not hiring staff to replace retiring ones ?

I tend to be on the liberal side, but on some cases, there's no other way of trying to negotiate...

[Passenger]

AirOpinion, will you forgive yourself if you screw up at your job jeopardizing hundreds of lives because working conditions are poor, because you work too much, your company not hiring staff to replace retiring ones? I tend to be on the liberal side, but on some cases, there's no other way of trying to negotiate...

Strange to read that there is no trace of "working conditions are poor" as reason for the strike in the initial Union press release (except for the general union complaint "everything-is-bad-here-blablabla").

Based upon the 2012 figures - source National Bank - the 875 staff members at Belgocontrol earn an average of 134.987 Euro (gross). Even the 67 part time employees (FTE) earn an average of 101.854 Euro. For such salary, taxpayers and airlines are entitled for a full service, without interruption.

[Nevihta]

Bringing things back to money tends to be an habit here.
Read again the reasons stated.
And last but not least, earning more than the average doesn't mean you can have anything from someone...

[sean1982]

It does means that you're supposed to have more brains then blindly following a 19th century union into a strike which holds a whole country (and others) hostage and has a HUGE impact on the economy.It's like bringing in an elephant to squash a fly

[teach]

It does means that you're supposed to have more brains then blindly following a 19th century union into a strike which holds a whole country (and others) hostage and has a HUGE impact on the economy.It's like bringing in an elephant to squash a fly

What alternatives exactly do you suggest?

[sean1982]

Everything else except striking maybe?

[Nevihta]

It does means that you're supposed to have more brains then blindly following a 19th century union into a strike

No it doesn't...
On the opposite, it does mean that you have a sense of responsibility, and that you can't accept to put safety into the balance. People are not happy to go on strike, really, but sometimes it's the only way to be heard.

What other mean do you suggest exactly ?

[teach]

Everything else except striking maybe?

What a fantastically detailed response.

Like what?

[sean1982]

wow seriously, never heard of negociations? stiptheidacties?

This has NOTHING to do with putting safety first. It just plain egocentrism. Dont't start with "people are not happy to do this" They are, otherwise they wouldn't.

[teach]

wow seriously, never heard of negociations? stiptheidacties?

You're not seriously trying to suggest that the strike threat we saw issued now is the FIRST move made in this conflict, are you? Or that no negotiations have taken place?

I'm pretty sure, no, CONVINCED, that negotiating was the first thing tried by the unions. But if one is not taken seriously, or complaints fall onto deaf ears, one needs to move on to the next step. And no, that's not striking, but it CAN be threatening to strike, which is what's being done here. Because let's be clear: we're talking about a POSSIBLE strike more than a week from now. If you announce a possible strike that far in advance, it's because you really hope you won't have to strike, and you want to give the other party time to come to the table again.

This has NOTHING to do with putting safety first. It just plain egocentrism. Dont't start with "people are not happy to do this" They are, otherwise they wouldn't.

Right. So as long as things aren't bad enough that employees switch jobs, they should just STFU and do as they're told...

Lovely attitude, that...

[sean1982]

Todays situation dictates that higher flexibility and more work with less people, work longer etc .. are just NEEDED to keep our system in Belgium afloat. It's more than time that the unions except that instead of trying to strike us back into the golden age of the sixties.

Who said anything about shutting up? You simply just do not shut down a countries airspace. Point.
They don't even have a proper reason? They are protesting against cost cuttings which are mandatory by the EU.
and what they are saying is that we are the only country doing so. So what? Because the other countries don't comply, we shouldn't comply either?

But let me guess, you're probably not flying the 25th right? as-long-as-it-doesnt-bother-me-type of guy

[Squelsh]

Hah, that's really rich, somebody working fom Belgium but paying his contributions to a foreign country, comes in here to talk about NEEDED actions to keep the Belgian system afloat...


New heights at luchtzak.be

[sean1982]

Hah, that's really rich, somebody working fom Belgium but paying his contributions to a foreign country, comes in here to talk about NEEDED actions to keep the Belgian system afloat...


New heights at luchtzak.be

Excuse me, I DO pay my contributions to Belgium as per new EU law. So STFU

[teach]

Todays situation dictates that higher flexibility and more work with less people, work longer etc .. are just NEEDED to keep our system in Belgium afloat. It's more than time that the unions except that instead of trying to strike us back into the golden age of the sixties.
Who said anything about shutting up? You simply just do not shut down a countries airspace. Point.
But let me guess, you're probably not flying the 25th right? as-long-as-it-doesnt-bother-me-type of guy

You know what: unions are evil, you're right, the world really is black-and-white. Shame on me for daring to disagree with you, I most certainly deserved that personal snipe that seems to be your trademark.

Reminds why you used to be the only one here on my ignore list.