Please find below an update regarding:
- Rostering and Fatigue
- Hotels
- Changes within the Divisional Board
- New colleagues
- 100% compliance with your CWA
Rostering and Fatigue
Many of you certainly do experience the effects of the disruptive rostering which has not decreased since a long time. With the high season in 2019 approaching and potentially not having enough crews to cover the flights, the impact on fatigue could cause additional delays due to the requirement for you as crew to have additional recovery time.
We want to reiterate that – according to EASA ORO.FTL.110 – it is the initial responsibility of the operator to manage and mitigate fatigue. It is in the first place the responsibility of the operator to schedule flights already in the planning stage so that rosters are sufficiently free from fatigue. A transfer of this obligation to the respective pilots to decide whether or not they would be able to operate a specific flight cannot be seen as a relief from the principle obligation of an operator.
Fatigue alerts that you receive from crew control are based on a mathematical model and trigger when the calculated alertness level exceed a predefined score. In fact, the actual alertness level could be higher or lower, depending on the real condition of the individual.
Furthermore, please understand that the mathematical model is purely binary and works with threshold values. Therefore, increasing the rest by just a few minutes might get rid of any previous fatigue-warning, but might by far not be sufficient to address the underlying problem.
In case you receive a fatigue alert, we strongly suggest applying a very high and professional standard determining your capability to safely operate any subsequent flight. Please remember that you possibly might face a situation where you have to justify your decisions.
As we have indicated in the past, maintaining a sleep log will assist you in making the professional decision. Also, do not forget to file a proactive Fatigue Report when asking for additional rest.
Please click here for additional guidance on how to write a proactive Fatigue Report. If you need further assistance don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via cvboard@alpl.lu.
Furthermore, it is according to OM-A Chapter 11, Section 2 mandatory to submit an ASR if the fatigue you experienced impacted or could have potentially impacted your ability to perform your flight duties safely.
Hotels
Based on feedback that we receive from our members, there seems to be a trend developing that hotel rooms are either not fulfilling the standards mentioned in the hotel policy or are not booked for pilots when they show up. To facilitate the work of the hotel committee and to collect evidence we kindly ask you to file a Voyage Report (VR) anytime you find yourself in the same or similar situation and to send a copy of the report to cvhotels@alpl.lu. Thanks for your cooperation!
Changes within the Divisional Board
It is with regret that one of our fellow Board Members and Substitute Delegates of the Delegation, Olle van Zweden, has decided to resign from Cargolux for private reasons and to start a new career with a company that will enable him to better combine his professional and family life. Since his start with Cargolux in 2016, Olle has always been keen in getting involved in representative work to improve the terms and conditions of Cargolux pilots. His input and ideas helped us greatly during the last negotiations. On behalf of our members we wish him all the best for his future endeavor.
New colleagues
Along with the newly signed CWA, Cargolux is currently looking to employ further fellow pilot colleagues. We as Pilot Representatives are actively supporting Cargolux in spreading the word of open First Officer positions as the new terms and conditions in the new CWA ultimately require Cargolux to hire a significant number of additional pilots.
Therefore, we kindly ask you as a member to help us in doing so. Please reach out to possible candidates and do mention our new and improved CWA along with its contents. Amongst many items, the amended off-day scheme as for the consideration of previous experience makes this package a lot more appealing than it used to be. Remember, only if the crew factor is increased significantly the company will be in the position to fulfill their obligations that came along with the newly, improved conditions.
As the passenger aviation market is rather ruff these days, we might be able to assist in hiring some colleagues that have maybe not heard of or considered cargo operation along with Cargolux.
At the same time, we ask you not to publish the entire CWA document in the internet. The CWA is a sensitive document which is part of the individual work contract and outlines the employment relation between the employee – you – and the company and as such shouldn’t be publicly disclosed.
100% compliance with your CWA
During the CWA negotiations, we asked you to follow the principals of the “100% compliance with your CWA” campaign. By withdrawing the flexibility and strictly following the CWA we made clear to management how much they got used to our extra effort and dedication in the past when all of us have frequently gone the so called “extra mile” and provided Cargolux with our service above and beyond what was agreed in the CWA.
Now, after having signed a new CWA, which will address the concerns our members have identified in recent years, we ask you to use your own judgement if you have to decide whether or not to go this “extra mile” again. Having said so, it should be understood by all parties that any contract should be honored at all times and waiving contractual rights should be the exception rather than the norm!
As we know, there will be multiple situations in the upcoming high season and beyond where you could make quite a difference by being “extra motivated”. It always has been the strength of Cargolux and its employees to make the most out of given opportunities.
We thank you for the tremendous support that you have shown and hope for a prosperous final sprint!
