Page 30 - InterPilot 2020 Issue 1

From Old Hands

to Novices

IFALPA NEGOTIATIONS SEMINAR, FRANKFURT

By David Stephens

Thirty-four Pilot Representatives from more than ten countries came together
in Frankfurt, Germany, to participate in the three-day IFALPA Negotiations
Seminar 24-26 November 2019.

The seminar is part of IFALPA’s ongoing commitment to Professional
Development opportunities for pilots. The instruction is appropriate for both
newly elected Pilot Representatives and experienced professionals wanting
to develop the necessary skills to negotiate collective labour agreements/
contracts directly with their companies.

Of course, the skills developed are equally transferable when representing
pilots generally, whether in matters of personal discipline/grievances or
broader organisational and structural change.

The seminars attract wide interest from Member Associations and Pilot
Representatives across the globe. The Frankfurt seminar was no different,
reflected by the diversity of backgrounds, and the varying degrees of
negotiation experience among the group, from old hands to novices.

The Frankfurt seminar attracted interest from pilots from a diverse range
of companies including major national carriers, low-cost operators, cargo,
and rotary wing. Compared to previous seminars where the numbers of
participants generally ranged in the mid-20s, a group of 34 participants was
an exciting new challenge.

The Instructors grasped this opportunity and consciously targeted the
seminar to be as inclusive and participative as possible, encouraging the
pilots to (politely) interject during the respective Instructor presentations
with questions, comments, and most importantly, their own observations
and experiences.