Page 8 - InterPilot 2019 Issue 4

PAGE 8

IFALPA

Press Release

19PRL06 16 September 2019

GLOBAL PILOTS DISTURBED BY ANTI-UNION TREND
Global Pilots Disturbed by Anti-Union Trend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Issued from the Professional & Government Affairs Committee of the International Federation of Air Line
Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA):

IFALPA’s industrial branch is deeply concerned regarding the trend of anti-labour action being waged against
pilot groups worldwide. Instances of escalating attacks and retaliation against union representatives for
exercising their fundamental right to organize and strike have taken the form of investigation, disciplinary
procedure, contract termination, and legal threats and actions.
An ongoing example is that of the Colombian Pilots’ Union (Acdac) and Avianca Airlines Management. For
the past two years, Acdac’s pilot representatives have faced an onslaught of discrimination, beginning with
mass terminations and culminating in multiple personal criminal charges, all based upon exercising their legal
right to strike.

In today’s news, Ryanair pilot representatives are being singled out for threatening and intimidating
behaviour by airline management all over Europe. Ryanair Irish company council representatives are being
sued by Ryanair for their legitimate, lawful representative activities. This is deplorable behaviour coming from
any company, particularly one that claims to engage with unions in the spirit of pursuing normal social
dialogue.

Meanwhile, British Airways Management has attempted to strip their pilots of their legal right to strike with
court challenges and has pursued other punitive actions against the pilot group and union representatives in
the days leading up to, and following, strike action.

IFALPA unequivocally supports the right of pilot groups to take industrial action when negotiations fail. The
Federation believes that no pilot group should accept deteriorating salary and working conditions,
unpredictable hours, a lack of job security, or the lack of a fair and equitable collective labour agreement.
Pilot unions have demonstrated that they are responsible and fair partners with management in times of
economic crisis and industry turmoil and they expect and demand that airline management be responsible
and fair partners when those airlines are enjoying an unprecedented period of profitability.

The Federation offers support, mutual assistance, and all other available resources to our Member Associations
in order to address this disturbing trend on a global scale. The global voice of pilots will not stay silent on this
issue.

For information please contact Emily Bitting, IFALPA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected], +1 514 419 1191 ext. 228
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Note to Editors: The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations represents more than 100,000 pilots in nearly 100 countries
around the globe. The mission of IFALPA is to promote the highest level of aviation safety worldwide and to be the global advocate of the
piloting profession; providing representation, services and support to both our members and the aviation industry.

Federation website www.ifalpa.org
©2019 The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. In the interest of flight safety, reproduction of this Press Release in whole or in
part is encouraged. It may not be offered for sale or used commercially. All reprints must credit IFALPA. www.ifalpa.org