Social dimension of aviation (report)

Key points:

The EESC:

• endorses the Commission report on the employment conditions of highly mobile aircrews (pilots and cabin crew) whose situation may be particularly challenging due to the cross-border nature of their jobs and who enjoy differing rights and degrees of protection depending on the national law which applies to them. The Committee endorses the fact that the above-mentioned report highlights the continued existence of numerous problems and considerable legal uncertainty, and that better application of EU and national rules in all forms of employment of aircrew is crucial;

• considers it unfortunate that this report has been produced at the end of the current Commission's term of office, with the resulting uncertainty regarding follow-up. The Committee considers that the lack of reliable statistics on the number of aircrew jobs and the number of outsourced jobs and agency staff is a significant problem;

• reiterates its call to promote direct employment which should remain the usual form of employment in aviation, and considers that it is crucial to oppose any atypical contracts which could undermine the safety of aircrew and passengers, while conceding that the use of temporary contracts or temporary agency work is not automatically illicit, nor does it equate to social dumping;
• would point out that the right to set up or join a trade union, to negotiate collective agreements and to go on strike, among others, are human rights guaranteed at international, European and national level, and must be complied with absolutely. Unfortunately, in practice, there are cases where the right to organize trade unions and to collective bargaining is limited and workers have to defend their rights in court. The right to information and consultation should be guaranteed as well.