What is the issue?
Besides its technical expertise, ECA monitors the developments of the air transport market in Europe with a particular focus on the consequences on labour. Since the start of Air Transport Liberalisation in Europe, the structure of airlines and their strategies of expansion have changed significantly. State-owned companies have been partially or completely privatised. This has brought a deep change in the managerial decisions of the companies now obliged to make profits and become profitable businesses. This process has had consequences on pilots’ employment terms and conditions. Confronted with fierce competition, national carriers have worked towards reducing their operational costs and looking at economies of scales. Following this latest approach, airlines have been seeking commercial partnerships and/or creating big airlines through mergers and acquisitions.
At the same time, the low cost airline model has been developed in Europe. The new airlines entering the market have taken advantage of the lack of flexibility with network carriers. Their entry into the market has directly generated an intense competition within Europe and network carriers have tried to adapt their short haul operation to these competitors.
The escalation in the need for companies to reduce their costa and require their pilots more flexibility has led them to progressively hire the services of self-employed pilots. Whereas this practice is useful to allow flexibility during high season, the abuse of it has serious consequences not only on the pilots’ terms and conditions but also on the safety of their operations.
How is ECA involved?
ECA has been particularly involved in supporting its Member Associations during collective labour agreement negotiations and in denouncing bad practices from airlines.
ECA follows the debate at the European level and meets regularly with its Member Associations to continue the debate and develop the tools needed to face the change in the industry. As an example, ECA had developed a toolbox with information and guidance on scope manuals, mergers, and language proficiency in addition to a number of Position Papers on topics that have industrial and professional effects.
ECA has also promoted a close relationship with its members and proposed, whenever it is necessary, to support them as best possible. For more information on these initiatives you can check the 'about us' section of our website and contact Sarah Kamer, ECA's Senior Transnational Airlines & Industrial Affairs Manager.
Why is the issue important to ECA?
This area is of utmost importance for ECA. Self-employed and contractor pilots have a very limited interest in being part of a trade union (when they have the right to do so), sometime for fear of sanctions. If pilots can no longer be unionised, they will lose the ability to participate in national, European and International forums on aviation safety. Pilots’ contributions to the improvement of flight safety are vital.
The priority for ECA is to ensure that, like for any other employees, pilots’ fundamental social rights are preserved in their integrity. ECA will continue promoting best practices and developping tools to enable small and big pilot associations to preserve their members’ rights and to address the concerns of contractors' abuse to politicians.
Who is responsible?
- Executive Board Director: Patrick ARPINO & Coen GEORGE
- Staff members: Sarah KAMER & Anastasiia PRYCHTA
- Working Group: Industrial (IND WG)
- Chair: Lars FRONTINI (VC)
- Vice-Chair: Markus KALLIJARVI (FPA)
