Brussels Airlines is facing mounting criticism over its cabin crew scheduling practices, with the Christian trade union CNE accusing the airline’s management of making unilateral decisions regarding leave and rest day allocations.
The union claims these actions have led to an unfair imbalance between the airline’s low and high seasons, negatively impacting its permanent employees’ work schedules and wages.
According to CNE, cabin crew members are experiencing significant disruptions, particularly during the winter months. The union highlights a concerning pattern where many permanent crew members are being assigned far fewer flight hours than required to maintain their annual earnings.
In January and February, CNE claims that some employees are flying only half of their usual hours, resulting in wage losses of several hundred euros. This shortage is seen as a direct consequence of the airline’s failure to properly balance flight assignments across the year.
The union has also raised concerns about the airline’s increasing reliance on temporary crew members. Hired last autumn, these workers were brought on board without prior consultation with the trade unions, according to CNE.
The union asserts that this shift in staffing prioritizes temporary staff over permanent employees, further contributing to the imbalance in flight hours during the low season.
“Permanent cabin crew should be prioritized in terms of flight hours, but instead, we see a growing reliance on temporary workers, which compromises both their income and the overall morale of the workforce,” said a representative from CNE.
The union’s concerns extend beyond wages, pointing out that the lack of proper consultation with staff regarding staffing levels and work schedules is undermining trust between the airline and its workforce.
In stark contrast, the summer months present a very different set of challenges. Aviation sees an uptick in activity during this peak season, with increased demand for flights.
CNE argues that during this time, cabin crew members often face a shortage of rest and leave days, with some employees working long hours without adequate recovery time.
The union warns that this practice could have serious safety implications, with fatigue potentially reaching dangerous levels.
“This situation could compromise safety, with fatigue reaching dangerous levels,” warned CNE.
The union stresses that the health and safety of cabin crew members must be a priority for Brussels Airlines, particularly during the busy summer period when crew members are under significant pressure to meet demand.
With both low and high season scheduling concerns, the union is calling for a fairer and more balanced approach to the distribution of flying hours and rest periods.
CNE has called on Brussels Airlines to consider these recommendations and adopt a more transparent and consultative approach when scheduling cabin crew.
The union advocates for a system that ensures fair distribution of hours and sufficient rest for all employees, which they argue is essential to maintaining both worker well-being and flight safety.
“We hope that Brussels Airlines will listen to the concerns of its staff and make necessary adjustments to ensure a safe and pleasant summer for both employees and passengers,” said a union spokesperson.
As of now, Brussels Airlines has yet to respond publicly to the union’s claims, leaving employees and observers eagerly awaiting a resolution to the ongoing scheduling issues.
