Belgocontrol ATC strikes 2016

[DIBO]

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.

Well said!! Very true indeed!!!
All sick ATCO's should undergo a thorough psychological evaluation to re-confirm their mental fitness before being allowed back on the job. And in case of any doubt, their license should and must be revoked.

[evyncke]

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.

Are you sure that there is no military ATC?

Belga Radar (located in Semmerzake) should be able to take over a lot of the traffic (at least traffic flying crossing Belgium and some TMA -- unsure about approach which is of course required)

[Jetter]

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.

Not being able to focus because of announced changes that haven't been implemented truly seems very strange to me. I might be able to understand it in specific circumstances, like being 55 and planning to go to Spain in a few months and then hearing you'll have to work a few years longer. But this really harming the emotional stability of a lot of your colleagues is unthinkable. How would these colleagues be able to focus if they're handling ATC after a serious accident?

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 The minute one union signed, the notice was no longer valid.

Why could they not express their discontent after the signing before going on strike within hours? How is it possible the hardline socialist union agrees with something that is totally unfair and unacceptable to employees?

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.

Either the agreement stands and striking is futile, or it doesn't stand and there can be talks first. In no situation is the only solution to strike immediately without notice.

[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?

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.

So in case there is a war, what happens? BRU remains an airport under control of civil ATC? Or can the military take over in some way or another? Seeing that military personnel is taking over other duties of overworked police agants, why not of atco's? It's not like they are being replaced, or that they are being used to break a strike (there is no strike) but they have declared themselves unfit to work.

[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.

Are you sure that there is no military ATC?

Belga Radar (located in Semmerzake) should be able to take over a lot of the traffic (at least traffic flying crossing Belgium and some TMA -- unsure about approach which is of course required)

There is a Belgian military ATC of course, but no Melsbroek ATC.
Transferring BRU ground ops, take off, landing and approach to the military of Belga radar would be quite challenging.

[Jetter]

Personeel Belgocontrol krijgt woedend land over zich heen

Acties luchtverkeersleiders
Letterlijk niemand toont ook maar een greintje begrip over de acties van de luchtverkeersleiders.

http://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/luchtvaar ... 5-3085.art

Belgacontrol faces outraged nation
"Literally nobody shows a shred of understanding for the ATCO's". That should have read "nobody but Flanker".

[Crosswind]

There's still a simple option, not yet discussed : cancel the agreement and wait a few months before going back to negociations.

But, in that case, "others" will lose face, I guess.

[Apuneger]

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.

Well said!! Very true indeed!!!
All sick ATCO's should undergo a thorough psychological evaluation to re-confirm their mental fitness before being allowed back on the job. And in case of any doubt, their license should and must be revoked.

Fully agree.
I always thought atco's were tested sufficiently to see if they can cope with stress under difficult situations. Now, at least some of them have very openly admitted that they can't...

Furthermore, I can't stand the fact that the union/guild says that its Belgocontrol management who is to blame for the timing of these actions. When will people learn to take responsability for their own actions? It's like the terrorists who said that the police actions forced them to do something in Belgium instead of France. It's always somebody elso who is to blame . I stopped doing that in elementary school.

Best regards,
Ivan

[Crosswind]

One can say Belgocontrol didn't care much of known consequences of such an agreement. question of point of view. They knew they could easily go on "strike". They tough they won't because of last events. They loose.

[thalenoi]

In my younger years I traveled to CDG and FRA to catch some long haul planes.
I still can do that once BRU is no more.
And no, I don't drive the 600 km to BKK, still have 14 daily flights UTH-BKK to choose from, much doubt about BRU though

[Hue]

How would these colleagues be able to focus if they're handling ATC after a serious accident?

After an incident an atco is immediately taken away from a control position to fill out paperwork and avoid new events. To cope and restart duty there is a CISM programme, critical incident stress management.

How is it possible the hardline socialist union agrees with something that is totally unfair and unacceptable to employees?

He possibly represents non-operational staff who got an increased non-recurrent advantage, while 90% of the agreement is for ops-people.

[sn26567]

Copy of the letter sent by Belgocontrol to the chair of BGATC:

[sn26567]

Back to normal at 15:00. At least until 22:00...

[Jetter]

Apparently Maryse Meulemans was impressed by the letter she received

[Jetter]

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.

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.

These are outright lies! Hue, you ought to be ashamed of yourself by knowing what's going on and spreading such misinformation nonetheless. The e-mail from BGATC to it's members that reveals your lies has been published. It contains a badly veiled call upon it's members to report sick on Monday.

Datum: 9 apr. 2016 17:03
Onderwerp: Update + outcome negotiations 8/4

Dear colleagues,

The unions received some draft texts from Belgocontrol on Tuesday, and discussed about these proposals on yesterday’s negotiation meeting. Belgocontrol only accepted a few minor adaptations. During the afternoon, a staff meeting was organized as well:
- There were some discussions on working conditions and rostering (e.g. May). According to the CEO all rules are respected. So it is strongly recommended that all ATCOs check their individual cp balance after each reference period (Jan-March, April-June,...). At the end of June, it's supposed to be zero. The unions are prepared to undertake legal action if necessary.
- It is clear to the staff that management is not taking their concerns seriously. Therefore, the staff proposed to boycott all "Leuven Rechtdoor Revised" training and RNP-training at EBCI UFN
- It cannot be stressed enough that your flexibility (call ups, filling in missing shifts,...) is helping out management. It is NOT helping your case! For the atcos on duty in a reduced team: * SVR & TM will do their utmost best to protect the team from too heavy workload; * a couple of days of work with less break is only a small sacrifice for the rest of your career.
- Atcos are also reminded that each individual controller has a professional responsibility to assess whether or not that he/she is ‘fit for duty’. Fatigue and tiredness are to be reported by eSRO and to your supervisor. If you don't feel fit for work than don't (European obligation)

After the staff meeting, the negotiations restarted. Surprisingly, late in the afternoon, management stated they are no longer willing to negotiate about the end of career of the atcos, even when no actions are going on. They are convinced that “the atmosphere is no longer serene enough to negotiate”. The CEO concluded the negotiations by accusing the atcos of using guerrilla tactics to harass management.

From Monday on, actions restart!!!

[Poiu]

Whilst I find the reaction of the ATCOs totally misplaced in today's environment, I find it also misplaced of Belgocontrol and the governement to abuse the situation. Suspending the agreement is the least one could expect.
Those advocating a, Reagan like, sacking of the ATCOs have to realise that number of incidents and near misses increased exponentially in 1981. A smoking hole is the last thing we need to kill the Belgian aviation.

[b-west]

Bad luck continues at BRU. Though the ATC are back at work (for now) , I just heard that the IT systems at the airport went down... No check in.

Edit : seems it got fixed again. Good.

[Hue]

These are outright lies! Hue, you ought to be ashamed of yourself by knowing what's going on and spreading such misinformation nonetheless. The e-mail from BGATC to it's members that reveals your lies has been published. It contains a badly veiled call upon it's members to report sick on Monday.

Datum: 9 apr. 2016 17:03
Onderwerp: Update + outcome negotiations 8/4

Dear colleagues,

The unions received some draft texts from Belgocontrol on Tuesday, and discussed about these proposals on yesterday’s negotiation meeting. Belgocontrol only accepted a few minor adaptations. During the afternoon, a staff meeting was organized as well:
- There were some discussions on working conditions and rostering (e.g. May). According to the CEO all rules are respected. So it is strongly recommended that all ATCOs check their individual cp balance after each reference period (Jan-March, April-June,...). At the end of June, it's supposed to be zero. The unions are prepared to undertake legal action if necessary.
- It is clear to the staff that management is not taking their concerns seriously. Therefore, the staff proposed to boycott all "Leuven Rechtdoor Revised" training and RNP-training at EBCI UFN
- It cannot be stressed enough that your flexibility (call ups, filling in missing shifts,...) is helping out management. It is NOT helping your case! For the atcos on duty in a reduced team: * SVR & TM will do their utmost best to protect the team from too heavy workload; * a couple of days of work with less break is only a small sacrifice for the rest of your career.
- Atcos are also reminded that each individual controller has a professional responsibility to assess whether or not that he/she is ‘fit for duty’. Fatigue and tiredness are to be reported by eSRO and to your supervisor. If you don't feel fit for work than don't (European obligation)

After the staff meeting, the negotiations restarted. Surprisingly, late in the afternoon, management stated they are no longer willing to negotiate about the end of career of the atcos, even when no actions are going on. They are convinced that “the atmosphere is no longer serene enough to negotiate”. The CEO concluded the negotiations by accusing the atcos of using guerrilla tactics to harass management.

From Monday on, actions restart!!!

Jetter, check the date!!! It says april 9th. Saturday. When an official notice was valid for social action (since february) and people went on strike in stead of performing Leuven Rechtdoor training. Hence the reference at the bottom 'on monday actions restart'.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday 12 with socialist union and contains social peace. The notice is no longer valid. They are trying to make you and the whole world believe the guild coordinated people calling in unfit for duty after an agreement was reached for a wildcat strike in disguise. This is not true. Atco's had no idea there would be a vote, let alone a signed agreement on topics they had not been informed about. They got taken by surprise and the worst possible timing. Some declared not fit to work after these unprecedented events.

That is the second time you attack me personal without good reason, while I try to provide you correct information. 3 and you're out.

[RTM]

Jetter, check the date!!! It says april 9th. Saturday. When an official notice was valid for social action (since february) and people went on strike in stead of performing Leuven Rechtdoor training. Hence the reference at the bottom 'on monday actions restart'.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday 12 with socialist union and contains social peace. The notice is no longer valid. They are trying to make you and the whole world believe the guild coordinated people calling in unfit for duty after an agreement was reached for a wildcat strike in disguise. This is not true. Atco's had no idea there would be a vote, let alone a signed agreement on topics they had not been informed about. They got taken by surprise and the worst possible timing. Some declared not fit to work after these unprecedented events.

That is the second time you attack me personal without good reason, while I try to provide you correct information. 3 and you're out.

Lets pretend for a moment we all buy this explenation.
Then there is something seriously wrong with a good amount of our atco's...
If you need more then 1 full day to recover from this news to function normally again, then I truly do believe they are not fit for their job. And to prevent dangerous siuations, they should be laid off, and let them work in the real world, for a fraction of the wages, and till 65, of more likely by then, 67. LIKE AVERYBODY ELSE. The kind of jobs these prima donna's are putting in jeoperdy now so they can stop at 55.

I have not much good to say about these characters. And allthough I know it is not an option, or a solution, I would love to see them all fired. Refusal to work, so no dop, straight to the OCMW.

[Inquirer]

Anybody with an insider's update on the situation?
Are things back to normal in a durable way, or are Belgocontrol working on a shift-by-shift basis, trying to fill open positions wherever possible with those willing to work today?
Is there any negotiating going on even, or are they just 'smoking out' those absent?