IFALPA

Last week, Lufthansa announced that after 1.5 years of intense negotiations, its subsidiary Discover Airlines would enter into collective bargaining with the trade union ver.di—a union that has no support among the pilots. Today, Discover Airlines pilots made their voices heard. In a decisive vote, pilots decided to take industrial action, standing firm against management's attempt to bypass their chosen representation. The pilots, represented by Vereinigung Cockpit, are united in their stance: they will not allow management to finalize collective labor agreements with a union that doesn’t represent them. They are determined to choose who represents them and to decide the demands that are raised on their behalf. Attempts to divide the pilots will not succeed. From Tuesday to Friday, all Discover Airlines flights departing from Germany will be grounded as the pilots go on strike. This action is a clear stand against management’s tactics, and a fight for fair representation and agreements that truly reflect the needs of the pilots. The goal of this strike is simple: to secure a fair collective pay agreement and a comprehensive labor agreement for the pilots of Discover Airlines—negotiated by the union they trust, Vereinigung Cockpit.

Professional relationships, forged through aviation safety, presented an excellent learning and networking opportunity when participants met to participate in the Air Line Pilots Association (Aircraft) Accident Investigation Course held in Vancouver, Canada this month. Participants spent the week learning about the theoretical framework that supports aircraft accident investigation both nationally and internationally. This course is the first of two required for the IFALPA Accident Investigation Accreditation. Next, participants will complete their capstone course in Grand Forks, North Dakota in partnership with ALPA-I and the University of North Dakota. Here, they will spend a week walking a fabricated accident “wreckage” on a Boeing 727 aircraft. They will complete the course with a holistic understanding of what is expected when working with international agencies in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. Congratulations to the participating IFALPA Member Associations and industry partners. A very special thank you to our friends and colleagues at Air Line Pilots Association for developing and supporting the courses and encouraging international partnerships.

IFALPA has been informed by Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) that they have initiated the proceedings for Industrial Action at EW Discover Airlines. VC has been in negotiations with the airline management for well over a year, without being able to reach an agreement on working conditions and salary. Surprisingly, earlier this month, the airline management approached a German "union of convenience" and signed a CLA covering working conditions and salary. As a result of this, more than 80% of EW Discover Airlines pilots members of VC (which exceeds membership of this other union) voted to go on strike, requesting for a CLA that is negotiated by VC. On behalf of the EW Discover Airlines pilots, Vereinigung Cockpit requests the Mutual Assistance outlined in this request: https://lnkd.in/emjCQvyZ #pilotunity #pilotsolidarity #pilotlife

The presidents of ALPA, IFALPA and European Pilots are united in their message: Safety starts with 2. https://lnkd.in/eKHgfceh #SafetyStartsWith2 #Automation

Another successful delivery of the IFALPA #fatiguemangement Course held in Brisbane this week and hosted by the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) . Many great discussions and shared perspectives. We had participation from the management of a number of operators, pilot fatigue reps and two HF specialists from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. With thanks to my co facilitators Mark Glover from NZ and Dinesh Raj from Singapore. #airlinesandairplanes #aviation

A new Safety Bulletin https://lnkd.in/gBAA8HQj - please read carefully & in all cases, follow first the rules of your operator, regulator & national health authority. No travel restrictions are recommended by the WHO for now. #PilotSafety #mpoxoutbreak #worldhealthorganization

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) is closely monitoring the developments related to the accident of Voepass Linhas Aéreas Flight 2Z-2283, an ATR-72 aircraft that came down in the town of Vinhedo, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo.   Our thoughts are with the friends and families of the reported 58 passengers and four crew members that were onboard the aircraft.   IFALPA stresses the need to avoid speculation as to what happened in the course of this tragic event. The investigation into the circumstances of the accident should strictly follow the provisions laid out in ICAO Annex 13.   The Federation has reached out to its Brazilian Member Association, Sindicato Nacional dos Aeronautas (SNA) and will keep its resources at the disposal of the Brazilian Accident Investigation Agency CENIPA in order to help gather facts and any other information which may be pertinent. https://lnkd.in/eKHMqjms

The recent CrowdStrike technology failure highlighted the importance of viewing technology as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human oversight in safety-critical operations. ECA, @alpapilots & IFALPA sent a joint letter to the CEO of Airbus urging the manufacturer to reconsider its current plan to reduce the number of pilots on the flightdeck. The letter is available here: https://bit.ly/3SEmbwY

Pilot labor leaders from around the world have sent Airbus's CEO a letter that makes clear: technology alone can never replace the indispensable role of two pilots on the flight deck. https://bit.ly/3SERpUD #SafetyStartsWith2 IFALPA European Pilots

“Maternity leave should be recognised as a momentary pause in a career, not a career-ending event.” Family responsibilities don’t end with return-to-work. Airlines should consider rostering & lifestyle flexibility for all employees...and remove roadblocks to advancement for pilots with families. This would not only work to attract & retain women pilots...but to improve work/life balance for all pilots. IFALPA’s Female Pilots’ Working Group is dedicated to addressing these topics and many others.