Cargolux

On 23 October 2020 another COVID-19 meeting between the Delegation and Senior Management took place. COVID-19 cases in Luxembourg and most other parts of the world are increasing and we kindly ask you to take note of this important special members’ update.
 
Rostering
We did highlight the risk that comes with frequent changes of the crew composition during a rotation. In a particular example one pilot would meet 31 other pilots while on duty over a period of 11 consecutive days. This certainly increases the chance of being either infected or getting in contact with a positive case with the possible negative implication to the pilots’ health but also to the business, in case of several pilots would have to be quarantined.
 
We suggested that management should consider this fact when rostering pilots and further to schedule the annual Ground School Recurrent (GTR) as a distance learning course, like it was done earlier this year. This would also be in line with the re-introduction of work from home for ground staff.
 
COVID-19 testing prior leaving Luxembourg
We are delighted, that as of Wednesday 28 October 2020, voluntary rapid COVID-19 testing will be available for all pilots prior to leaving Luxembourg on a rotation. We communicated this request by our members in several meetings with management in the previous months. 
 
The testing prior to leaving home base should help in reducing the risk of being quarantined while on a rotation, hence we recommend making use of this possibility.
 
Initially two nurses have been contracted by the company to conduct these tests between 04.45h – 13.45h and 15.00h – 23.00h local times in the Lorang building. Results are expected to be available within 20 minutes. Please note that the test is on a voluntary basis and shall be done prior reporting for a duty.
 
The CEO explained that if a rapid test shows a positive result, the pilot would be taken off the planned duty. In this case the pilot would be required to self-isolate as per the applicable procedures.
 
Following a positive result, a voluntary PCR can be taken immediately in the Lorang building in order to validate the result of the rapid test. The result of the PCR test should be available within 24 to 48 hours.  We strongly recommend taking the PCR test in this case. In case the pilot decides to take the test, he is required to self-isolate until the test result is known. This could be done either at home or at a company provided hotel accommodation (accommodation only).
 
If the PCR test result would also be positive, the pilot is required to quarantine as per the applicable procedures. This could be done either at home or at the company provided hotel (accommodation only).
 
Whenever the company provided accommodation is used, either when waiting for the result of the voluntary PCR test or after a positive PCR test, management expects that the pilot would strictly follow the official quarantine rules.
 
Further details should be published in due course by management.
 
Layover
Socializing with other crew members during a layover is an important part of our daily life as crews and became even more important with the increased number of stations mandating in-room confinement for the entire duration of a layover. This leaves only very few destinations where we still can meet with fellow colleagues for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, this comes with an increased risk to get infected or spread an infection we are not aware about. This is especially true in a place like Novosibirsk, which became the station with the highest number of pilots laying over during a single day. 
 
It is therefore important that we all follow the known preventive measures, not only to protect ourselves and our loved ones, but also to prevent more and more colleagues become infected. 
 
We therefore ask all members to continue adhering to social distancing and the other preventive measures. This includes wearing a face mask on a layover, whenever social distancing is difficult to be maintained!

The most dominant issue in the last few weeks was the situation in HKG, including the wellbeing of our colleagues who were stuck in the hospital and in the quarantine center. This was covered by special updates to our members.

We hereby would like to provide you with some other topics in our monthly update, which might be of interest to you.

• In-Room Confinement Survey
• Future Crew Lounge and Check in Facilities
• Late Arrival before VAC 

In-room Confinement Survey
In early September we conducted a survey with the aim to get a clearer picture of how layovers at destinations with in-room confinement are distributed amongst the pilot community. More than 60% of our members participated in this survey, which represents a significant number of responses resulting in a high level of accuracy.

Please click here to have a look at the result that was also presented to Senior Management in the COVID-19 meeting in late September.

In summary we can say that in the period from July until September 2020: 

• Layovers were not evenly distributed within the pilot community 
• Only 20% of pilots stayed for an average number of days (5-6 days for BC; 6-7 days for FO)
• 44% of BC and 49% of FO stayed below the average number
• 36% of BC and 31% of FO stayed above there average number with up to 17 or 
  even 22 days in total
• Around 50% of layover days with in-room confinement were in BKK with most restrictive rules 

With this survey it became evident that crew planning and crew control must increase their efforts to mitigate the burden of in-room confinement for crews by scheduling such layovers more evenly,  as 1/3 of the pilots had to stay at destinations with in-room confinement for longer than 7 days, with peaks up to 22 days within 3 months.

With the recent changes of the rotations and the stop of HKG layovers we expect that for the time being the situation will slightly improve and that the duration of a rest period at a destination with in-room confinement most likely will be shorter now.

However, since the impact of in-room confinement is subjectively perceived differently, we recommend filing a proactive ASR should you feel that a repetitive and long layover with in-room confinement requirements would have a detrimental impact on your mental wellbeing and ability to safely operate your next flight(s). Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via cvboard@alpl.lu  should you require any assistance.

Future Crew Lounge and Check in Facilities
In the Joint Delegation Meeting held on 22 September 2020, Pilot Representatives were informed that in April 2021 the crew facilities for pilots will be moved to the Passenger Terminal of Luxemburg Airport.

As the location and configuration of these crew facilities will be an important matter for us pilots and since this project is still in the planning phase, the Delegation requested in a letter to be part of the selection process. Please click here to read the letter, dated 29 September 2020. Unfortunately, until now we haven’t received a response yet.

Late Arrival before VAC
In general, vacation days are precious for every pilot as these are allocated strictly according to seniority and available slots – especially in the holiday season – are limited.

In recent discussions with the Chief Pilots Office we highlighted the spirit of Art. 36.17.1. of the CWA, namely, to protect any vacation period and to ensure that a pilot is scheduled to arrive at Home Base in due time before a vacation period commences. We also clarified when the compensation for late arrival at Home Base before a vacation period as per aforementioned article of the CWA should be applicable.

We are glad that there is a mutual understanding that pilots in general shall not work on vacation days and shall be scheduled to arrive back at Home Base as foreseen in Art. 36.17.1. of the CWA. Please note, neither the Luxembourgish labour law nor the CWA foresee the selling of vacation days.

However, there might be instances, where pilots are asked or are simply scheduled to return from a trip late prior the start of a vacation period. In order to avoid any misunderstandings about the compensation in those cases, we recommend sending a friendly reminder to crew control stating, that you do not agree to fly into any of your vacation days. Crew control will then reschedule the pilot to ensure an arrival at Home Base according to Art. 36.17.1 of the CWA. In this case, any late arrival will be compensated as per aforementioned article.

If a pilot agreed to fly into his/her vacation day(s), compensation for late arrival into a vacation period as per Art. 36.17.1. of the CWA would not be applicable. In such cases, the affected vacation day(s) would be swapped on paper with Off-Days in the respective roster period and compensation as foreseen in Art. 36.16.2. b) 3. of the CWA would be applied.

Your ALPL Board is relieved to see that all four colleagues, who have been quarantined in Hong Kong since 25 September 2020 have safely been repatriated back to Luxembourg.

We would like to take this opportunity and thank all parties involved. This includes the Cargolux Human Factors manager and OH&S in Luxembourg, our colleagues from Hong Kong ALPA and the Cargolux CEO. A special thanks goes to our colleagues at Cargolux Operations in HKG, who played an important role liaising with the local authorities and last but not least Luxembourg’s ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support. 

It remains our position, that layovers in Hong Kong shall remain suspended until it can be guaranteed by Cargolux management in writing, that no pilot would face a similar situation in the future. The Delegation and the LCGB communicated this expectation of our members to the Cargolux Senior Management.

On 07 October 2020 the third meeting between Unions, Luxair, Cargolux, Luxairport and government representatives, referred to as “Tripartite pour le secteur de l ´aviation” took place. In this meeting the various measures discussed by the social partners within the Luxair working group were analysed. Following constructive discussions, a principle agreement could be reached addressing the situation at Luxair.
 
The analyses revealed a significant surplus of 600 employees or 20% of Luxair’s current staff. The principle agreement reached will allow approximately half of the affected staff to leave Luxair through one of the available early retirement schemes. The other half should be transferred and requalified within Luxair or transferred to other companies either on a permanent or temporary contract basis. Additionally, the principle agreement provides the remaining staff at Luxair with a job guarantee for the duration of the agreement, which prevents job retrenchments due to economic reasons.
 
The Tripartite parties further agreed that the Luxair Collective Work Agreement (CWA), which would expire at the end of this year, forms an integral part of the agreement reached by the Tripartite and that it will be renewed until the end of 2023. This extension of the Luxair CWA will cover all achievements, except for the annual time unit increases, which will be suspended for the duration of three years, unless the economic situation of Luxair returns to normal levels at an earlier stage.
 
The details of the final agreement still have to be worked out and will be presented to the various union bodies for validation, before the final agreement could be signed at the next meeting of the Tripartite, which is presently scheduled for 9 November 2020.
 
In respect to Cargolux, there is a common understanding, that Cargolux´ present situation is different as the company is not negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We do appreciate the clear statement of the Cargolux CEO in the Tripartite meeting on 17 September 2020, that Cargolux is willing to be part of the solution for the Luxembourg aviation sector but not at the expense of the viability of Cargolux.
 
It is our position, which we clearly communicated to Cargolux Senior Management, that Luxair pilots who may become either permanently or temporary redundant, should be considered by Cargolux to fill open pilot positions. The examples of those colleagues of Lufthansa Cityline or Air Berlin, who joined Cargolux on fixed-term contracts, show what is possible and what did work in the past for the benefit of all involved; the airlines and the pilots. To avoid any doubt, the ALPL Divisional Boards of Cargolux and Luxair agree, that such transfers can only be done respecting all provisions of the Cargolux CWA.
 
Available social instruments such as early retirement schemes would certainly help in creating open positions for those Luxair staff members who would have to be transferred to other companies. In the last Tripartite meeting, it was acknowledged by the Minister of Labour, that amendments to existing early retirement schemes are needed. Both Unions clearly indicated that they are interested to discuss the required amendments.

The last week has been very dynamic. We had to deal with the suspension of Hong Kong layovers and the Quarantine situation in Hong Kong and monitored the developments in Azerbaijan in relation to Baku layovers. Please find a very brief update of the situation as of Friday late evening, October 2^nd.
 
Hong Kong layovers
We have been contacted by many members who had been still scheduled for a layover in HKG after the CEO’s email regarding the “suspension of Hong Kong layovers”. As explained before we have been in contact with the CEO and pointed out your concerns. Unfortunately, and as a matter of fact, such changes are hard to make at very short notice, especially if one considers how many flights per week are routed via Hong Kong.
 
We do understand that by now all changes have been incorporated and that until further notice no crew layovers will take place in Hong Kong. Please get in touch with us immediately, if this should change, keeping in mind that in case of an AOG in Hong Kong the crew would most likely not be able to avoid laying over in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, suspending layovers in Hong Kong results in more and longer flight duty periods involving augmented crews.
 
Quarantine situation in Hong Kong
We can report that we kept close contact with all – since Thursday – four colleagues currently quarantined or hospitalized in Hong Kong and that support on site is being provided by our colleagues from the Hong Kong Airline Pilots Association (HKALPA). 
 
As communicated before, we have reached out to Luxembourg’s government asking for support, by addressing the issue in letters with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister. We are aware that the same has been done by the CEO. It’s too early to tell if this would help in providing any form of relief to our colleagues currently confined in a quarantine centre.
 
Baku layovers
We started monitoring the developments in Azerbaijan early last week, when we became aware about the first reports concerning the increased tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We were contacted by concerned members who were on layover in Baku, at the time a curfew was announced by the Azeri government, reporting e.g. that communication channels (internet) became limited.
 
We did reach out to Senior Management to ask if the situation is monitored and if management considers avoiding stops in Baku. Senior Management informed us, that the situation would be monitored and that necessary steps would be taken if needed.
 
As Representatives we appreciate management’s proactive decision to temporary suspend operations into Baku as announced late afternoon on Friday, October 2^nd.

After the CEO’s email regarding the “suspension of Hong Kong layovers” sent on Friday 25 September 2020, many of our members contacted us, as they still have layovers in Hong Kong scheduled.

In a telephone call at noon time today with the Vice-President of the Delegation, the CEO confirmed, that layovers in Hong Kong will be eliminated, although this change will require some time to be completed.

In this telephone call the Vice-President of the Delegation pointed out once again, that suspending crew layovers in Hong Kong is essential and that any deviation or undue delay while making the required changes is not acceptable by our members.

It was also emphasized to the CEO, that the trust of the pilot group in management has already been damaged and that our members expect, that what has been communicated by the CEO in his aforementioned email will be put into place and respected by all levels of management and departments involved.

Regarding our three colleagues and members currently quarantined in Hong Kong; We can report that we are in close contact with all three and that support on site is being provided by our colleagues from the Hong Kong Airline Pilots Association (HKALPA).

In the meantime, we have reached out to Luxembourg’s government asking for support.

As you may have heard, one of our crew members has been tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Hong Kong. The other two crew members did not have a positive test but will now be quarantined for up to 14 days in a compound.
 
This quarantine situation in Hong Kong was brought to the attention of management in the regular COVID-19 meetings and in a separate letter addressing the concerns of our members regarding the expected quarantine accommodation. In various meetings we highlighted that the reported situation, crew members would be faced with, is not acceptable and that mitigating measures must be in place as long as we operate with crew layovers in Hong Kong.
 
After today’s event, we again addressed this issue in a letter sent from the Delegation to the CEO, demanding that with immediate effect all rotations are amended in a way that crews are not laying over in Hong Kong as long as the situation has not changed.
 
In the meantime, we remain in contact with our colleagues directly affected in Hong Kong and provide support if needed and as far as possible under the given circumstances.

On 17 September 2020 the second meeting between Unions, Luxair, Cargolux, Luxairport and government representatives, referred to as “Tripartite pour le secteur de l ´aviation” took place. The Minister for Transport, François Bausch explained that it is the goal of the government to find a solution so that none of the staff would become unemployed. The aim must be to make use of the available social instruments such as early retirement schemes and to socially cushion the necessary cost-cutting measures “in a Luxembourg way“, said Minister Bausch. At the same time, a global plan for the development of aviation in Luxembourg should be defined.
 
Main topic in the discussions was the situation at Luxair since they are most affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It has been agreed that Luxair management, the representatives of the government and the Unions will collaborate within a working group on possible solutions to address Luxair’s situation. The aim is to secure the jobs and to avoid redundancies.
 
In respect to Cargolux, the company’s CEO underscored the functioning social dialogue with the Unions and staff representatives in this context. Management and staff representatives are in agreement that the present exceptional financial situation of the company must be preserved to tackle future challenges and that measures, which may weaken Cargolux´ position must be avoided. The CEO further explained that Cargolux is willing to be part of the solution for the Luxembourg aviation sector, but not at the expense of the viability of Cargolux.
 
We believe, that within the Tripartite it should be possible to find solutions not only to address the present situation of Luxair, but also to make sure that Cargolux will be prepared for future challenges as this will be essential to secure jobs and possible growth in the future. Already available social instruments such as early retirement schemes would not only help in maintaining jobs within Luxembourg’s airline industry but may also be beneficial for Cargolux and its staff.
 
The next meeting of the Tripartite has been scheduled for 7 October 2020.

Please find below an update concerning:

• New Flight Time Limitations and Fatigue Reports
• Direct Entry Captains
• In-room Confinement at some Destinations
• Peer to Peer Support 

New Flight Time Limitations and Fatigue Reports
Based on the feedback of our members we are pleased to announce that the new Flight Time Limitations, which have been implemented on 1 July 2020, have proven to be a major step towards fatigue mitigation and represent an important pillar for a safe flight operation. This was one of the main priorities during the last CWA negotiations.

Despite this improvement, it still is possible that pilots feel insufficiently rested and unfit to safely perform the next duty or series of duties. In such situations it is of utmost importance not just only to comply with the maximum flight time limitations in the CWA, but also respect OM-A, Chapter 6, Section 1. 

One reason why we emphasize the personal responsibility is the possibility of cumulative fatigue while operating several days in a row, which have not been addressed adequately in the regulations, especially when operating and resting against the body clock.

Please apply a very high and professional standard in determining your capability to safely operate any subsequent flight and remember that you might possibly face a situation where you have to justify your decisions. Therefore, please do not hesitate to ask for more rest should you require it!

As we have indicated in the past, maintaining a sleep log from the beginning of a rotation will assist you in making a professional and informed decision. Also, do not forget to file a proactive fatigue report when asking for additional rest, or a reactive fatigue report, if you experienced high levels of fatigue during a flight. In order to support any change in crew scheduling and rotation planning, fatigue reports by pilots are the most valuable and required data. Guidance on how to report fatigue can be found here.

Direct Entry Captains
The hiring of Contract Captains at Cargolux has always been a delicate and emotional topic. Since the last negotiations the CWA contains a paragraph (Art. 45.6.5) that limits the number of Direct Entry Captains to be hired whilst at the same time requires the company to continue promoting Senior First Officers to Captains.

We are monitoring the situation very closely and have asked Human Resources for an update on this topic. Please click here to read the latest letter that was sent to Human Resources on 18 August 2020. Please click here to read their reply.  

Additionally, this topic will be put on the agenda for the next Joint Delegation Meeting (formerly known as Comitè Mixte) in September 2020.

Latest now, limiting the amount of Direct Entry Captains to a maximum of 10 in the new CWA has proven to be very important, in contrast to the old CWA, where there was no hard limit in this matter.

In-room Confinement at some Destinations
We are concerned that additional authorities may apply the restrictive measures seen currently in BKK and HKG. SIN has improved somewhat by accepting pilots to exit their room for a short period of the day during layovers.

We have seen rotations where it is conceivable that a pilot may have an in-room confinement requirement at almost every destination. Our priority is to coordinate with Senior Management together with local authorities and request that pilots are able to move freely within the hotel property to enable for essential activities including physical exercises whilst respecting physical distancing requirements and wearing masks.

In our regular COVID-19 meetings with management we have discussed this again and requested that it is addressed before more restrictions are applied. Please click here to read the latest letter to the CEO.

Peer to Peer Support (PSP)
During COVID 19 we have seen new factors that definitely affects us pilots in our work environment. At Cargolux we have a functioning PSP in cooperation with Stiftung Mayday that enables, facilitates and ensures access to a proactive and non-punitive Pilot Peer to Peer Support Program that will assist and support flight crews in recognizing, coping with, and overcoming any problem which might negatively affect their ability to safely exercise the privileges of their license. 

Please remember that this is a support program and reaching out to Peers and professional psychologists will provide you with the help, with full confidentially, so that you can make decisions you need to operate safely during flight operations. These Peers and Professionals will be supporting you in your decision-making process. 

If needed and in order to obtain the maximum benefits of this program Cargolux pilots need to contact the PSP through the contracted agency of Stiftung Mayday via Phone: +49 (0)700 7700 7701 or email https://www.stiftung-mayday.de/en/cism-contact/

You may also contact our Human Factors Manager Gunnar Steinhardt. Gunnar offers support as aviation psychologist as well whilst guaranteeing full confidentiality. You may reach him via mobile +352 621 169 652 or email gunnar.steinhardt@cargolux.com

in our last COVID-19 update regarding in-room confinement, we mentioned the necessity to approach the authorities at various destinations to improve the situations we as pilots have to cope with while on a layover. According to Senior Management this would be done via the air operator committees at certain destinations.

In addition to that, we urged management to put more emphasis in trying to alleviate the situation for pilots on layovers where severe restrictions and other issues like e.g. difficult access to food or hotels not meeting the agreed standards are evolving. 

Please click here to read the latest letter to the CEO and EVP Flight Operations, that was sent on Friday, 28 August 2020.

To get an overview of how many colleagues have already been scheduled for a layover at destinations where in-room confinement is or was required and whether or not these layovers are equally spread amongst the pilot community, we kindly ask you to complete the following short survey. This data will be used in the next COVID-19 meeting with Senior Management.

Click on the button below or follow this link to access the “In-room Confinement” survey.

Thank you for submitting it until latest Thursday, 3 September 2020!