Social Dialogue

The role of the European social dialogue in the implementation of the SES

ETF, ATCEUC & CANSO, the European Social Partners for the Air Traffic Management, have organized a Conference on “The role of the European Social Dialogue in the implementation of the Single European Sky”. This conference, organized with the support of the EC, has been held on 16 and 17 November 2011 in Venice. The Conference has been a great success, having involved more then 120 experts of the ATM sector (from management & workers' side) and high level speakers from European Commission and Eurocontrol. Here you can find the Final Statement that include the Social Partners Action Plan and all the presentation used during the 2 days event.

Read more: Venice Conference

In the Graham Lake's CANSO Blog it is written “How much longer must society continue to tolerate these selfish, irresponsible characteristics that blight the professional reputation of ATC in Europe" and “to preserve or improve the already privileged employment terms and conditions enjoyed by air traffic control staff within the context of a monopoly service environment”.

The ETF regrets that Graham Lake does not give the social dimension a primary role in its vision for the next decades and ignores the importance of issues such as working conditions.
ETF believes it's mainly the responsibility of CANSO members that, in so many countries, social tensions created social conflicts.

Read more: ETF writes to CANSO about industrial actions

The ETF is greatly concerned by the events, which occurred in Spain last weekend. The ETF does not support any illegal action but the use of military authority on workers, forcing them to work, is unacceptable.
In addition, the ETF believes that working under the pressure of military supervision may put the Safety of the Civil Aviation at risk.

Read more: The Spanish situation is unacceptable

ETF, ATCEUC, CANSO and ECA write to EC about their concern that the Commission does not give high priority to make the SES so-called 5th pillar a reality . We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is of utmost importance to submit this draft decision without further delay to the Commission College for final approval.

Read more: Letter to EC on SES Expert Group

The ATM Social Partners have ondorsed during the last SD meeting held in Brussels on March 18th, a joint position paper on the draft Implementing Rules of the Performance Scheme.

They highlighted 7 main topics:

1. KPI & KPA
2. Target Setting
3. Human Factor
4. Alert mechanisms
5. PRB
6. Incentive Scheme
7. NSA

Find enclosed the full report

Read more: ATM Social Partners Position on the Implementing Rules of the Performance Scheme

The ETF notes that the Spanish Government has recently invalidated by Royal Decree Law ongoing collective
bargaining process between the Spanish controllers and the Spanish ANSP, AENA.

The ETF considers that the implementation of EU legislation should under no circumstances leads to administrative decision intending to replace social dialogue.

Read more: Support to Spanish Colleagues

Please find enclosed the results of the joint survey assessing the consultation arrangements of Functional Airspace Blocks during the Feasibility Study. The survey
was conducted at the end of 2008.

While there was a common understanding on the information process being activated, the following areas of improvements were identified:

• different perception of definitions of involvement levels, forms and processes leading to misinterpretation, misunderstanding and frustration;
• staff representatives felt not being listened, consulted, involved or treated as real partners;
• staff representatives will need to have clarity on facility arrangements to effectively contribute to FAB.

ETF and CANSO would like to use this phase to strongly encourage their members to carefully act in the light of the ETF-CANSO "Guidelines for Consultation arrangements for FABs".

Find enclosed a summary of all the FAB Survey documents

Read more: ETF-CANSO letter on FAB Survey

With this letter, ETF wish to express its serious concern regarding the deteriorating situation within the European ATM Social Dialogue.

During this period of economic downturn combined with the huge challenges ahead, we are convinced that a productive Social Dialogue can be a major contributor to solutions on many of the issues. The alternative way is both full of risk and certainly not as constructive in the end.

Find enclosed the letter sent by ETF to CANSO EC3 and the CANSO reply.

Read more: Letter to CANSO EC3 on serious concern about the ATM Social Dialogue

The social partners’ objective in producing these papers is to improve aviation safety in Europe by maximising the opportunity for everyone involved in safety critical aspects of air transport to learn quickly from events that are reported by others and which could have put safety at risk.

The guidelines are a concrete tool to implement Just Culture principle at company level.

Read more: Just Culture Charter & Guidelines

The Social Partners share the view that the enhancement of ATM can be best achieved through the bottom up approach and through ongoing dialogue with all aviation stakeholders.

Such an approach, which primarily aims at building trust, will add operational value and make ATM more efficient and cost effective, and increasingly sustainable for the environment.

A successful bottom-up approach will only be achieved where all stakeholders in all different phases of FAB development play their full appropriate roles.

Read more: Joint ETF-CANSO statement on SES II