Delegation Election - FAQ

The following frequently asked questions have been compiled in order to provide answers to questions you may have regarding the Delegation election.

In case you have a question to which you will not find an answer below, we kindly ask you to contact us at elections@alpl.lu or call the 24/7 hotline at +352 42 2 330.

What is the role of the Delegation?

The staff delegation is the legal body that represents the employees within a company. By law the delegation has to be informed and consulted on issues related to the working conditions of the staff, with the intention to improve the working conditions and work safety, to improve on the job training and professional development opportunities and to seek improvements of work-life balance for all staff members, ground staff and pilots alike.

Additionally, to these tasks the result of the most recent delegation election plays an important role in CWA negotiations.

Please see the question What role does the Delegation play in CWA negotiations? for more details.

What role does the Delegation play in CWA negotiations?

While not being directly involved in the negotiations for a collective work agreement (CWA), the results of the delegation election determine, if a union could sign a CWA alone, even against the will of any other group taking part in the negotiations. The signing of the 2015 CWA at Cargolux highlighted what could happen to the working conditions of the pilot community, when the pilots were not adequately represented in the delegation.

While all pilots at Cargolux saw a deterioration of their working conditions, e.g. less limiting flight time limitations and rostering rules, those colleagues who were hired between 2015 and until the next CWA was signed in 2019 were hired under what has been commonly referred to as ‘B-Scale’.

The signature of the 2015 CWA was only possible, as the pilots were not adequately represented in the delegation at that time. The result of the delegation election in 2019 was crucial to sign the CWA in August of the same year, which abolished the ‘B-Scale’ and led to significant improvements for all pilots.

There are abundant reasons why the delegation election is important to each and every pilot. The recent history at Cargolux shows that the outcome of the delegation election has a direct impact on your future working conditions. It is therefore essential for you to put in the extra effort and time to cast your votes.

Who is eligible to vote?

All employees who have been employed on 12 September 2023 or before, regardless if on a temporary contact (CDD) or a permanent contract (CDI),  are eligible to vote. In this case you should find your name posted on the alphabetical list (electoral list) of the employees who fulfil the conditions to vote. This list will be published latest on 19 February 2024 by HR and should be available on the company’s intranet.

Consequently, if you have been hired after 12 September 2023 you are not eligible to vote.

I am still employed on a temporary contract. Am I allowed to vote?

Yes! Taking part in the delegation election is your right as employee, even if you are employed under a temporary (or fixed term) contract, as long as you have been employed on 12 September 2023 or before you are eligible to vote.

I am still in my trial period, do I have to fear any consequences if I take part in the election?

No! Taking part in the delegation election is your right as employee. This right has always been respected by Cargolux management without any exemptions in the company’s history.

Please also note, that the election will be by secret ballot vote, preventing that anyone else than you would get to know how you would cast your vote.

Please see the question Who is eligible to vote? to find out if you could take part in the election.

I am still new to the company, (e.g. still in the trial phase or under a temporary contract) ; do I have to fear any consequences if I take part in the election?

No! Taking part in the delegation election is your right as employee. This right has always been respected by Cargolux management without any exemptions in the company’s history.

Please also note, that the election will be by secret ballot vote, preventing that anyone else than you would get to know how you would cast your vote.

Please see the question Who is eligible to vote? to find out if you could take part in the election.

How many delegates are to be elected?

You have to elect 16 delegates plus 16 substitute delegates. This is the reason why each employee has 32 votes to be casted.

The number of delegates depends on the average number of employees during the 12 months preceding the first day of the month in which the election will take place.

Why do I have 32 votes?

The number of votes depends on the number of delegates and substitute delegates to be elected. As you have to elect 16 delegates plus 16 substitute delegates you have 32 votes to cast.

Your ALPL Board strongly recommends, that you vote for List 1.

You will find 32 pilots on this list. You can vote for the list, by simply marking an ‘X’ in the circular box above List 1 ‘LCGB’ on your ballot. If you do so all of your 32 votes will be allocated to the LCGB list.

Why should I vote?

There are abundant reasons why these elections are important for you.

The impact that the outcome of the delegation election may have on your future CWA is certainly the most crucial one and the outcome of the coming election will certainly have a direct influence on your future working conditions.

Only if we as pilots show unity and vote this will send a strong signal that changes in our working conditions are essential.

More information why the result of the delegation election plays a role in any CWA negotiation are provided as answers to the question What role does the Delegation play in CWA negotiations?

Why do we stand for election as LCGB list?

In order to represent your interests in negotiations for a collective work agreement (CWA) ALPL needs a partner, that must be accepted by law as negotiating and signatory union for a CWA. By law a nationally representative union must be accepted in CWA negotiations. Such a nationally representative union is the LCGB.

Standing for election as an LCGB list will allow your ALPL Board to effectively represent your interests in CWA negotiations, which cannot be guaranteed, if we would stand for election as ALPL list.

Please see the FAQ to the CSL election to read more about nationally representative unions and why ALPL cooperates with the LCGB.

Who should I vote for?

Your ALPL Board strongly recommends, that you vote for List 1.

You will find 32 pilots on this list. You can vote for the list, by simply marking an ‘X’ in the circular box above List 1 ‘LCGB’ on your ballot. If you do so all of your 32 votes will be allocated to the LCGB list.

Why does the ALPL Board recommend to vote the list and not individual candidates?

Voting the list is the most effective way to make sure that all your 32 votes are allocated to List 1 and that none of your votes are lost.

I don't want to cast my votes for the list. What should I do?

Even though your ALPL Board strongly recommends, that you vote for List 1, by marking a ‘X’ in the the circular box above List 1, you may cast your 32 votes individually.

You can cast up to 2 votes per candidate. To place 1 of your votes with an individual candidate, place a ‘X’ in the box next to the name, for 2 votes place a ‘X’ in each of the boxes next to the name.

You can cast up to 32 votes this way, but not more! Do not place any ‘X’ in any of the black squares above any list.

If you choose this option make sure to use ALL your 32 votes. Unused votes are lost, which may lead to an undesirable result.

How can I vote?

You can vote on March 12th in any of the electoral offices. One will be in the Head Quarter (HQ) in training room Brussels. This meeting room is located on the first floor of the HQ [map]. This office will be open during the following times (local):

09.00 to 12.00
13.00 to 16.30

The other option is in the Cargolux Maintenance Center (Hangar) ME Conference Room 3 (Bravo). You will need your Airport Badge to access the Hangar. The security guards at the Hangar entrance should be able to provide directions to this meeting room. This office will be open during the following times (local):

05.30 to 09.00

However, your ALPL Board highly recommends that you register for postal voting.

Due to the fact that changing schedules make it impossible for you to know if you will be able to vote in the electoral office in Luxembourg, Art. L. 413-1. of the labour law permits you as pilot to cast your votes by postal voting, regardless if you would be on off, vacation, rest days or rest before off days, or away on a rotation, on standby or on reserve on election day. You are also entitled to cast your votes by postal voting if you would be on additional off- time due to your part-time contract.

See the question How do I register for postal voting? for details on how to register for postal voting, the different options how you may receive and return your ballot before the electoral office closes on March 12th.

Am I permitted to vote by mail?

Yes! Your ALPL Board highly recommends that you register for postal voting.

Due to the fact that changing schedules make it impossible for you to know if you will be able to vote in the electoral office in Luxembourg, Art. L. 413-1. of the labour law permits you as pilot to cast your votes by postal voting, regardless if you would be on off, vacation, rest days or rest before off days, or away on a rotation, on standby or on reserve on election day. You are also entitled to cast your votes by postal voting if you would be on additional off- time due to your part-time contract.

See the question How do I register for postal voting? for details on how to register for postal voting, the different options how you may receive and return your ballot before the electoral office closes on March 12th.

Do I have to register, if I want to vote on March 12th in the electoral office?

No. However your ALPL Board strongly recommends that you consider postal voting if there would be any chance, that you may not be able to cast your vote in one of the electoral offices.

See the question How do I register for postal voting? for details on how to register for postal voting, the different options how you may receive and return your ballot before the electoral office closes on March 12th.

I don’t know if I would be in Luxembourg on March 12th, how can I vote?

Your ALPL Board highly recommends that you register for postal voting.

Due to the fact that changing schedules make it impossible for you to know if you will be able to vote in the electoral office in Luxembourg, Art. L. 413-1. of the labour law permits you as pilot to cast your votes by postal voting, regardless if you would be on off, vacation, rest days or rest before off days, or away on a rotation, on standby or on reserve on election day. You are also entitled to cast your votes by postal voting if you would be on additional off- time due to your part-time contract.

See the question How do I register for postal voting? for details on how to register for postal voting, the different options how you may receive and return your ballot before the electoral office closes on March 12th.

Do I have to register for postal voting?

Yes! Please see the Postal Voting FAQ for details.

How do I register for postal voting?

Yes! Please see the Postal Voting FAQ for details.

How do I receive the ballot if I want to do postal voting?

Yes! Please see the Postal Voting FAQ for details.

How do I mark my ballot?

You have two options to cast your votes: Either vote for a list or spread your votes. Both options cannot be combined.

Your ALPL Board strongly recommends, that you vote for List 1.

You will find 32 pilots on this list. You can vote for the list, by simply marking an ‘X’ in the circular box above List 1 ‘LCGB’ on your ballot. If you do so all of your 32 votes will be allocated to the LCGB list.

When not marking the circular box above List 1 LCGB, you can cast one or two votes for candidates up to a maximum of 32 votes.

Attention: If you choose this option, make sure to use ALL your 32 votes. Unused votes are lost! If you choose this option, you must NOT mark the circular box above any list!

How do I return my ballot if I do postal voting?

Yes! Please see the Postal Voting FAQ for details.

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