Belgocontrol ATC strikes 2016

[ezis_bis]

I don't know where to start with this

This is just reckless, this even goes against rules of social dialogue. While some people are fighting hard to keep their job, this kind of feels like sabotage.

At some point you need to accept you cannot have all you want, but perhaps like this they might fix a part of their complaints. They will not need to hire new people, as traffic will stay away

Tallinn-Brussels should restart this week, I think we might see this being postponed to.. I don't know anymore.

Just to put things in perspective; pensions here are just over 400euro. And no, prices are still 80-90% of your level

[Flanker2]

While going on strike and discrupting traffic is not very understandable, I can't judge them unless we know the exact circumstances that lead to that. I'm sure that they are aware of the importance of the situation.

Perhaps management was trying to take advantage of the aftermath of the terror attack to push bad working conditions, betting that the ATCO's wouldn't dare to strike? If so, good on the ATCO's to show them that they won't be controlled by politics.

As for disrupted travellers, government disrupts so much of our daily lives.
Since yesterday I'm not even allowed to park in the street that I live in, permanently. I have to park at least 100 meters to 2 kilometers away, in busy streets where there are never parking spots.
But nothing that I can do about it.

The only thing that you can do about it is to adapt, the same way animals adapt when humans come to destroy their forests.

[flymd11]

Are you actually being serious?

This was an act by individuals to protect air traffic, which is their primary obligation. People have concerns regarding safety.

There are several legal means to report concerns about safety including fatigue.

Atco's are aware of the need to stay operational after the terror attacks at Brussels Airport and the impact on aviation. They have been demonstrating great flexibility over several months to deliver the service that is expected from them.

Yet your actions demonstrate that you have absolutely no awareness of the need to stay operational after the attacks.

Atco's are responsable people who do care about the destiny of Brussels Airlines and the situation at Brussels Airport. Lots of discussions are going on and we acknowledge the pressure of the public to continue working. Everything was done to prevent an impact on airlines and travellers.

Lots of atco's are disappointed the situation has come to this. They are eager to support Belgian aviation as soon as possible. They care about your safety, want to respect your travel plans. Apologies for the service that is not being delivered.

Eventually there will not be much "Belgian aviation" left if actions like these continue. You will still have your job, job security and a guaranteed pension but employees of SN, JAF etc. will not be so lucky.

There are ways to demonstrate discontent but launching a wild strike days after the BRU reopened shows disrespect for the whole Belgian aviation community and the huge efforts made by staff at airports and airlines throughout the country. Shame on you.

[Boavida]

On a side note: what's with the title of this topic? Is there a new strike on 22 april?

[Jetter]

While going on strike and discrupting traffic is not very understandable, I can't judge them unless we know the exact circumstances that lead to that.

You do know that the Socialist Union strongly condemns this strike? I normally detest them because, well, they are socialists. But in this case a condemnation of them makes me very unsuspisious about something shady from the side of Belgacontrol management. And what I've heard from sick(ening) Belgacontrol staff so for is ludicrous and very unconvincing. Hue who seems one of them doesn't have any valid argument for this immediate strike whatsoever i.e. Hue, shame on you, you are unworthy of your job!

[stevenc]

IS it true that the military atc in Melsbroek could take over (part of) the duties of Belgocontrol? Or do they also rely on Belgocontrol?

[Hue]

Hue, shame on you, you are unworthy of your job!

Thank you, Jetter. Be advised I was working yesterday evening and will be tonight. I am no member of a union or guild. I am simply trying to offer you some inside information of what is going on and why I can understand the acts of my colleagues.

The socialist union (who only represents a few atco's but possibly more non-ops staff) signed an agreement that is 90% about ATC and much more then 'end of career'. It's about reduced ATC staffing, single person operations, etc.

[Boavida]

Hue, you can understand the actions of your colleagues?? At THIS TIME, when the airport is struggling to get back on its feet after TERRORIST ATTACKS? SN is losing 5 million per day and now this additional blow?! Do you even realize how many jobs there are at stake here? Because of your PRIVILEGES no other hardworking employee of BRU has?!

I suggest these spoiled atco's work as a baggage handler for one day... And earning 10 times less! With no VIP restaurant, no fitness facilities, working till 60-65(!) years old, etc.

I wonder what will be the first airline to say "we've had enough of BRU, we're leaving!", causing many people to lose their job! If it's not SN going bankrupt.

There are no words to describe this scandal.

[Jetter]

Thank you, Jetter. Be advised I was working yesterday evening and will be tonight. I am no member of a union or guild. I am simply trying to offer you some inside information of what is going on and why I can understand the acts of my colleagues.

The socialist union (who only represents a few atco's but possibly more non-ops staff) signed an agreement that is 90% about ATC and much more then 'end of career'. It's about reduced ATC staffing, single person operations, etc.

Great that you're working Hue, much appreciated! But then why try to find excuses for your colleagues that fake that they're ill? Even if all your arguments are valid, why strike now and without notice? I'm sure reduced ATC staffing and single person operations changes didn't take immediate effect, did they?

[webstermc]

The most important thing I want to know if there are alreayd negotiotiations which restarted?

I just want to see that everyone is looking for a (nogociated) solution so that these problems are over.

The only thing I read is that the action is till going on and the many condemnations, but are they negotioating????

[Charlie Roy]

I can't judge them unless we know the exact circumstances that lead to that.

You can judge them. If they want to take industrial action that is their right, and there is a whole procedure to follow. These guys were completely irresponsible and immature and engaged in an illegal strike. Judge them on their wrong and illegal actions!

[Flanker2]

Well Charlie Roy, an angry ATCO can forget that he gave a cleared for take-off before giving another aircraft the clearance to cross the same runway. So it's not illegal to declare oneself unfit for duty based on emotional state.

Like I said, if you give the government a hand, they will take your arm and your head too.
They did that to the rest of us already and for all I know they enjoyed doing it.
And they're not done yet, oh no...

[Jetter]

Well Charlie Roy, an angry ATCO can forget that he gave a cleared for take-off before giving another aircraft the clearance to cross the same runway. So it's not illegal to declare oneself unfit for duty based on emotional state.

If your emotional state is harmed by the foresight of having to work till 58 you're not suited for the job. Emotional stability is very important as ATC. So they'd better resign instead of report sick if this is truly the case.

Like I said, if you give the government a hand, they will take your arm and your head too.
They did that to the rest of us already and for all I know they enjoyed doing it.
And they're not done yet, oh no...

Oh please, stop this with this socialist crap on an aviation forum. The problem is that the government gave away far more than it took the past decades and hence the state debt is very high and action is needed.

[flightlover]

Well Charlie Roy, an angry ATCO can forget that he gave a cleared for take-off before giving another aircraft the clearance to cross the same runway. So it's not illegal to declare oneself unfit for duty based on emotional state.

Like I said, if you give the government a hand, they will take your arm and your head too.
They did that to the rest of us already and for all I know they enjoyed doing it.
And they're not done yet, oh no...

There are so many jobs at the airport where a 'disgruntled' person can reek havoc to passengers and planes, but somehow they have the common sense not to do that... And they are paid pennies in comparison to ATC staff. Even when they might be more important for a safe flight than those guys and girls in the tower can be.

[Charlie Roy]

So it's not illegal to declare oneself unfit for duty based on emotional state.

Well if he's still so emotional today that he is unfit to work, then a doctor should probably order he take a few months off, and re-evaluate after that. Can't have our lives in the hands of these highly emotional people.

[Flanker2]

Look at yourselves. You are falling in the trap of "divide and conquer".
The management could have postponed this decision too instead of taking the risk now. But they didn't, because public anger towards ATCO is part of their calculations.

Instead of wasting energy being angry against ATCO's and being part of mass-manipulation, go out, be happy and enjoy your life.

There are so many jobs that have been "hamburgerised" in the past decades. Look at cabin crew and pilots.
Now they want to hamburgerise ATC. For what?

I'm not for one political fraction or another, because they are all the same communist crooks.
If you want to help the crooks get more enjoyment out of toying with our lives, be my guest.

Yes, Atco's should work with less staff and longer careers to pay for Milquet's political campaign fraud.

Misdirected anger my friends.

[Poiu]

IS it true that the military atc in Melsbroek could take over (part of) the duties of Belgocontrol? Or do they also rely on Belgocontrol?

There is no Melsbroek ATC. The military hangars are in Melsbroek, whilst the civil terminal is in Zaventem, but they both use the same runways and airspace of Brussels airport.

[Hue]

why try to find excuses for your colleagues that fake that they're ill?

Nobody is faking. An atco not feeling well or unable to focus, can not perform the rights of his/her license. This is for obvious safety reasons. Human life is at stake.

why strike now and without notice?

There has been a notice since february and people did strike when planned for a day of training, not to hurt airlines or travellers. This is no longer possible. The minute one union signed, the notice was no longer valid.

I'm sure reduced ATC staffing and single person operations changes didn't take immediate effect, did they?

That is not relevant. Signatures are on paper. So they will have to be applied as long as the agreement stands.


I would like to repeat this is no coordinated action. I prefer my colleagues staying at home than have them work while not at ease. Everything is being done to resume normal operations asap. We do care about your jobs and well being. We can only apoligize for the frustration and massive problems being caused.

[flymd11]

There are so many jobs that have been "hamburgerised" in the past decades. Look at cabin crew and pilots.
Now they want to hamburgerise ATC. For what?

Because the costs of the provision of ATM services in Europe is almost double of what it is in the US?

[Jetter]

The management could have postponed this decision too instead of taking the risk now. But they didn't, because public anger towards ATCO is part of their calculations.

Since when should making an agreement with the socialist union be considered as a risk that employees massively fake that they're I'll?

Instead of wasting energy being angry against ATCO's and being part of mass-manipulation, go out, be happy and enjoy your life.

Like going on a vacation? With a plane maybe? Oh, that's made impossible by some lunatic ATCO's, they are single handedly ruining the happiness of many other employees and vacationers, and this is somehow justified because they should live a carefree and happy live on their own demands?

There are so many jobs that have been "hamburgerised" in the past decades. Look at cabin crew and pilots.
Now they want to hamburgerise ATC. For what?

You suggest others to just be happy but you seems very disgruntled and frustrated with your life yourself. Politicians are out to get you, jobs have been hamburgers, and striking when deemed fit is righteous. I suggest you take a look in Greece to see where that attitude brings you.