SIA and pilots' association begin arbitration hearing

mochalicious · 24-04-2007, 08:31 AM

SINGAPORE : The Airline Pilots' Association (ALPA-S) and SIA's management began their arbitration hearing on Monday over the pilots' claims for more wages to fly the new A380 aircraft due to arrive here in October.

SIA is expected to have about 25 such planes by 2013, making up a fifth of its total fleet.

Presenting SIA's case in High Court were members of the management who argued that there is not much difference for a pilot to fly an A380 compared to other planes in the airline's fleet.

Arbitration hearings involving SIA's pilots and management have always attracted much interest among its unionists and staff so it was no surprise the courtroom was packed on Monday.

Leading the arguments for SIA's management were its Divisional Vice President for Industrial Relations and the Chief Pilot who had flown an A380 during the Asian Aerospace airshow.

Mr Loh Oun Hean told the court that 15 meetings were held with the pilots on the wages issue between October 2005 and January this year.

The SIA management also wanted to discuss the wages for flying the A380 aircraft within the overall framework of the collective agreement for the pilots, which expires in September this year.

As the gap between the two sides was very wide, they decided to resort to arbitration.

During the court hearing, SIA argued that regardless of how long or short the flight was or how big, heavy or new the plane was, the duties and responsibilities of the pilot remained very much similar.

Chief Pilot Captain Robert Ting said there are many similarities in the technical and operational aspects of the A380 and the present fleet in SIA due to technological innovations, design, cockpit layout and the feel of the aircraft.

However, one aspect that is different is that the new plane can carry a larger number of passengers - nearly 400 to 450.

But SIA argued that passengers on board are managed by ground staff and cabin crew.

It also assured the court that pilots selected to fly the A380 will come from the present batch that the company has and they will have to undergo an 11-day conversion course.

On Tuesday, it will be ALPA-S's turn to rebut and present its case. - CNA/ch

**finaldust** · 24-04-2007, 12:49 PM

if they wan rise pay all other staffs working also wan more pay de bah then overall higher cost for customers bah i think their pay already quite high liao

zenite · 24-04-2007, 02:51 PM

i think should be fair to pilots, pay them the market rate or risk losing them. i am standing on the pilots side, for some reason. :biggrin4:

theres worldwide shortage of pilots, so SIA should be careful with their decision. training pilots are expensive and takes time.

**djchris** · 24-04-2007, 03:04 PM

But the pilot's debate for more salary also abit funny right? Just becoz you are flying more passengers, you want more salary?

zenite · 24-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchris

But the pilot's debate for more salary also abit funny right? Just becoz you are flying more passengers, you want more salary?

umm not really. the pilot salary is dependent on 2 things as far as i know: how much ur piloting of this plane can earn, and difficulty of handling the plane. thats why flying bigger planes pilots can earn more (eg B747). u help the airline earn more money, naturally, u should get more pay. pilots are paid for their responsibility to protect passengers, more passengers, more responsibility, more pay. of coz, i am sure there are more to consider.

**jelloman** · 24-04-2007, 11:01 PM

Its insane that a pilot is earning more than their vice president... this is the first time that i've heard the staff is earning more than the boss.

**Shyraiiyann** · 24-04-2007, 11:17 PM

DID u know its like so damm high enough already?

**jelloman** · 24-04-2007, 11:23 PM

yar lor, its like roughly 20k a month. thats just WOW. can buy so many things and still be rich.

zenite · 26-04-2007, 12:22 AM

its the market rate. pilots are in demand. its like saying oil is so ex, its insane, lets bring the price down. things dun work that way, just because salary high, den must reduce? look at it this way, the pay so high and attractive, but still not enuff pilots. wat if the pay is low? u end up with lesser pilots and in the end, demand drives up so high for these few numbers, the pay in the end still shoot up.

pilots can earn more money back for the airlines, if not they wun so stupid pay 20k for them. and about the pilots earning more than vice presidents, thats shocking. but must see what vice presidents they are, some are honorary, or just meet up for directors meeting. they hold other positions such as CEO in their own companies. in banking, 1 guy recently earn more than his ***CEO***, so nope, this doesn't happen in aviation only. other competitive industries will also have wan.