NEWS FLASH
The Croatian government has warned Croatia Airlines' pilots, cabin crew and mechanics not to go through with a planned strike for late June or early July, noting that the company would be unable to recover from industrial action. The Minister for Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, said, "Those that are planning to go on strike should know it is a very bad move. We are in the middle of the tourist season and Croatia Airlines is registering 9% passenger growth compared to last year. I don't know how the company would recover from industrial action. It wouldn't". Earlier this week, Croatia Airlines' staff announced plans to go on strike after talks with the managment over their new collective bargaining agreements collapsed. Furthermore, during the first five months of the year, a total of 196 Croatia Airlines flights have been cancelled due to a lack of personnel.
The Govt. is doing the right thing. Strike in the middle of the tourist season can be considered as a sabotage!
ReplyDelete+1000 on that!
Delete-1000
DeleteCroatian government is doing...nothing!
+1000000000000000
DeleteAnon 10:50, 3:16 or 8:03, what did the government do in the past few years for OU? I mean, good things. You can make a list if you want, I would really like to know. Thank you!
DeleteSecured the market by limiting the entry of the competition and allowing them to charge high ticket prices. Isn't that enough? Croatian citizens are paying for their already too high salaries!!!
DeleteThe government (and the minister) should be ashamed of themselves!
ReplyDeleteThe owner of the company has a right to voice their opinion about the company business.
DeleteIf the pilots don't like the government as the owner, they can try push for privatisation. But nobody will do this of course, it's nice to be paid well regardless of whether the company is profitable or not.
The union also has the right to voice their opinion! Full support to the strike!
DeleteIf employees are not satisfied with their employer they always have an option to leave the company and look for another job on the market. They don't have right to endanger the functioning of Croatia Airlines.
DeleteReally? And what happens if the government endangers OU, and has been doing so for more than 10 years?
DeleteGovernment owns the company and has the right to manage it as it finds appropriate. Employees do not. They work for money.
DeleteThen everybody can leave company the same day if they cannot strike
DeleteThey can't if they're to respect their work contract. However, they can abuse those and declare themselves sick.
DeleteNo law or contract stops them to hand over their resignations on the same day.
DeleteYou're right about that. That is what they should do if they're not satisfied with their employer.
DeleteNije ni cudno da je hrvatska takva kakva je kad imas takvih budala u njoj kao anon koji pise da nemas pravo na strajk. Ili radi ili odi. Nije ni cudo sto svi koji imaju pamet napustaju hr jer izgleda da ako se boris za svoja prava onda si oznacen za izdajnika. Daj molim idi iskopaj rupu pa pa legni tamo jer biti ces pametniji anon 11:24
DeleteWell it is like that with companies where you're not an owner. Either you work or you leave. What else would you want?
DeleteI hope employees will come to their senses and understand that only a joint work of all involved will bring long term benefits to both employees and the company.
ReplyDeleteNot true, they have been patient for quite enough time! We have a lousy government and they have every right to strike!
DeleteThey have every right to resign the company and find another job. They don't have a right to destroy the company.
DeleteOk as you wish they can resign from their jobs and the government can hire personnel from the African countries with the salary they want pay , and then we will see how the company will survive . it's not racist , smart people will get my point.
DeleteStrikes are not unusual, that's all I'm gonna say.
DeleteWhat all of you have against African people? Current employees are not owners of the company and their work place is not guaranteed. If they are not pleased with the salary and other work related issues they are free to leave and find another employer. The owner of the company will then find a solution ... or not. It's their responsibility.
DeleteAnon at 11.22am - you are absolutely right - employees don't have a right to destroy the company... that right is exclusively reserved for the Govt
DeleteThe owner does its best to keep the company running. How successful it is the market will tell.
DeleteThe Govt. of Croatia is taking care of the country to the best of their abilities. If you want someone else to take the charge feel free to vote on next elections.
DeleteHow come 196 flights have been cancelled and the company still transported 10 % more passenegers????
ReplyDeleteit is not that zero flights were cancelled last year + they probably see better LF on operated ones. Not all cancellations should be characterized as catastrophic, some are simple optimization and maximization of revenue vs lower cost (eg you dont fly with 5 pax on board and similar unless you have acceptable alternative). All airlines do it.
DeleteI support the employees. They deserve better conditions. The company is not in the state it is now because of pilots and flight attendants.
ReplyDeleteThen those flying bus drivers and flying waiters/waitresses can resign and find other company to work for.
DeleteHahahah balkan servants mentality, with addition off envy. Thats why you people will always work for 500eur and west europeans for 3 times more. In western part of the world strike is normal way of fighting for your rights. In balkans you have to work and be happy that you have a work, becouse there are always somebody who work for less. No future here, with that mentality
DeleteI invite employees to leave Croatia Airlines and show balls (if they have any). Those are poor uhljebs who can't find equally paid work anywhere else.
DeleteOk then , and who will work for the company with the salary that the government gives ? Certainly not crew from the EU countries , they will not accept it . So the only solution is to hire crew from Sudan , Chad , Mali " very high standards training " . Okay.... good luck with that.
DeleteIt is the owner who will have that task to perform. Current employees do not have to bother with that if they decide to leave.
Delete@AnonymousJune 15, 2018 at 3:16 PM
DeleteSeriously moronic and stupid comment.
first off, the issue isn't the pay as are the working conditions and longevity.
Croatian Airlines pays well, just the conditions are strenuous and impact quality of efficiency. A flight attended makes between 8500 and 12000 kuna per month, which is ~25% above national average.
Show me where someone with high school diploma or not even that can earn more money than a Nurse with 20 years working for HZO.
Problem is stress, flight attendants work long shifts, sometimes 12 hours per day, and this for 2 days, then they get 12 hours off and on back for another two long shifts.
After few months anyone would demand more free time to recuperate from the stress..
Same with pilots, who are overworked and the management is flaunting the EU rules on cabin crew rest time with impunity.
Pilots earn between 180 and 350 000 kuna per year. 6 kuna to 1$, so you count.
Mechanics and highly qualified staff that maintains the aircraft are overworked most, they often pull 12 hour shits without any 12 hour rest or brake, some need to work 6 days a week, sure they're paid overtime and some can work 60-80 hour week, they have a mortgage and family to take care off, so they're forced to take any extra hours.
But working in this conditions isn't for everyone, over 150 mechanics left OU in past 3 years for a reason. Mechanics are paid between 120 000 and 175 000 kuna per year.
This is way above national average, 90% above, average Croatian pay is 6400kuna per month, or around 77 000 kuna per year NET, or
104 000 kuna per year gross. Again 1$ = 6kuna 1€ = 7.3 kuna
Anonymous 8:21 pm are you done ? or you have more nonsense to write ??!!!
DeleteWhen someone puts arguments black on white you go to insults?!! That's simply appalling.
DeleteInteresting how the Minister throws the ball back on the staff and tries the "emotional blackmail" argument when it is absolutely in the hands of the Minister to resolve this long running issue
ReplyDeleteTough break, Butković!
ReplyDeleteI doubt that Mr. Minister is considering this as any real problem. Those uhljebs have no balls to endanger their already enormous salaries.
DeleteVery disappointed that so many people here are anti-labor and against the rights of the workers.
ReplyDeleteCroatia Airlines is financing their business off of the backs of their workers whom have taken pay cuts and have not gotten raises for many years.
Industrial action and solidarity are fundamental rights of employees in all civilized societies. Without these rights we would still have 12 hour workdays, dangerous working conditions, and worker exploitation.
Instead of blaming employees who have suffered greatly and who are no other alternative to industrial action, perhaps for a second blame those managment and political bloodsuckers who have created this situation.
They have not suffered anything! Their salaries are way above what other people in Croatia earn. If they want more they are all well invited to leave Croatia Airlines and earn their salaries somewhere else.
DeleteCorection:
DeleteWaaaay above!
Payed out of our pockets...we (working people of Croatia) are actually owners of OU.
Now, Djuro, I'm a Croat and a taxpayer! I'll give my full support to the union of Croatia airlines! Current Croatian government (incapable HDZ and other irrelevant parties), shame on you!
DeleteWho cares who do you give your support to. There were elections and the current govt. won the support of the people. You can accept that or you can't, your problem.
DeleteI support the workers' rights, but I doubt that doing something like this during the peak tourist season will bring any good to anyone.
DeleteCroatia is still a relatively poor country. The average salary at OU is 1450€. The average salary in Croatia is not even a thousand euro. It's around 900€.
And when should they strike, Michael, maybe in February, when there are less tourists?
DeleteAnon 5:09, of this government won the majority, it doesn't mean they get to do whatever they want! The government is here to serve the citizens of their country, not vice versa!
DeleteOMG...I can't believe it , this is beyond any fantasy that there are people here in this blog that support the government talks just because they care only if Croatia airlines have some 2.3 million passengers or more revenue this year , this is really insane.... such a shame !
DeleteHow is increasing the pilots salaries in the interest of the citizens? Especially if the money comes from their pockets in the end.
DeleteFlying bus drivers are already overpaid. In two to three years they will have to seek another type of job as unmanned planes are just behind the corner!
DeleteYes, maybe in February. Maybe not at all. Definitely not when it is going to harm them the most, because government isn't going to budge anyhow and OU is only going to lose profits. Wasn't it said that they should operate as a private company?
DeleteBut balkan mentality isn't long term thinking and creating something valuable, it's making a quick buck with minimum amount of work. People want their cake and eat it too. Then when things don't go their way,turn to the government. From whom should the government take in order to give to those who already have the average salary higher by 1/3 than the rest of the country?? And that's just the average, the pilots have 3-4500€ depending the actual hours and whether they're captains or co-pilots.
I'm sure the government sucks, but why should OU get even more privileged position as opposed to, say: teachers, or medical staff?
Finally someone with a grain of salt. Thank you Michael!
DeleteTeachers cant or wont strike? Medical staff cant request higher salaries or wont?
DeleteThis is a serious sector, not selling souvenirs or being a secretary. The salaries must be increased AT ONCE! They are also people like us and pay much more tax!!!
ReplyDeleteAgree, it's time those people get paid properly and for the minister to start doing his job!
DeleteNo salary increase to those blackmailers! If they wont higher salaries they should resign and go somewhere else, if there are any who want to pay them that much.
DeleteFull support for the unions! Government is the "owner" but those managers who cant manage are not! Does not give them any more rights then some enployees who worked there for 20+ years. And just to be clear, I am not Croatian, and I have no interest in OU other then I would like to see them succeed and pay their employees proper wages just like I would like to see here at Air Serbia.
ReplyDeleteThere politically run cronnies have to go for the sake of both the taxpayers and emoloyees as well the travelling public!
Exactly! I'm a Croat and I wish for the possible strike to succeed!
DeleteI wish all those blood-suckers leave the company and find their happiness somewhere else. We have paid for their luxury waaay too long!
DeleteEvo kako treba drzava da reaguje ....neka uci na primeru.
ReplyDeleteVietnam Airlines increases salaries to avoid pilot departures
Vietnam Airlines raised wages for all its employees, including pilots, starting from June 2018. The national carrier is attempting to tackle a surge of pilots resignations due to complaints of “high pressure and low salary.”
Since 2015, about 223 Vietnam Airlines pilots have resigned, of which 33 alone in 2018, according to Vietnamnet. They complained about a high pressure environment and pointed out to 30% to 40% lower salaries than the ones perceived by foreign pilots within the company. Some additional protests emerged, as pilots were requested to give a 120 days notice before resignation, and were asked to pay for their training costs.
Le Dinh Tho, Deputy Minister of Transport, called for the problem to be solved fast, in order to “stabilize the pilots spirit”. The financial projection submitted by Vietnam Airlines to the Ministry of Transport shows that pilots should receive a global raise in their salaries, with adjustments depending on which aircraft they are operating. As for the difference between domestic and foreign pilots, the company stated the salaries of the latter are aligned on the global market in order to be attractive.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines reportedly employs around 1,000 pilots and operates a fleet of 85 aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus
Great, OU can also remove the requirement to be proficient in local language as well, just like VN. But that will never happen.
DeleteThe fact is Croatia Airlines cannot afford to increase salaries, it is just about profitable, and this has come by selling many of its asset's over the past few years.
ReplyDeleteAnd the managers can increase their salaries? Selling their assets is a good thing? Sure!
DeleteSalaries should be reduced in fact. They don't do anything, those planes are flying 90% of the time on autopilot. Bus drivers do more work than pilots!!!
Delete8:49PM are you retarded??? Pilots have one of the most stressful jobs in the world!!!! HOW DARE YOU???
DeleteYou just think that they take off and land and just relax while auto-pilot is on??? What about other traffic in space? Turbulence, sudden temperature changes, sudden alarms, avoid mid-air crash, be alert for any warnings on cockpit, be alert for emergencies, sick passengers, terrorist threats and the list goes on! Just because you sit back and relax back at your seat doesn´t mean you should be disrespectful!!!
Machines do all that and much better. In a couple of years nobody will remember pilots ever existed. Just like cashiers are replaced by cameras the pilots will be replaced by machines. Wave them as they fly away to the past (pun intended)
DeleteYes and who will turn on and control this machine? A cat?
DeleteStop watching fictitious Sci-fi movies...
I am in shock to see so many negative comments towards the pilots. Hey, if you are really an aviation enthusiast and have a basic knowledge, you will realise that without pilots, the airline industry is doomed.
ReplyDeleteRemember the Iceland volcano eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010? Did you realise how strong we rely on planes nowadays? Please, before you start spreading poisonous language, read a bit first.
Pilots are thing of the past. They will be replaced by machines in a very, very near future. They should start immediately to look for another profession.
DeleteTo je ova ista budala sto prica vec para dana istu pricu o pilotima....a dolazi na aviation forum. Kakav ljubomorni bolid....ali ne treba trositi vremena na njemu, on je sam sebi dovoljno zalostan.
DeleteEX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults. Your comment will be deleted and you will be prohibited fom posting further.
DeleteShow where has Airbus or Boeing started to seriously experiment with self flying aircraft?? What is actually happening in the real world is that they are putting out reports saying that up to 25 thousand more pilots will be needed over the next 10 years. Self flying vehicles are at the very least 50 maybe even closer to 100 years away!
DeleteStvarno, ako vam +25000 kuna mjesečno nije dovoljno za pristojan život u Hrvatskoj onda idite tamo gdje ćete zarađivati više. Ima ljudi koji rade više od vas i doslovno se ubijaju za deset puta manje pa se ne bune, a trebali bi. Ali ako se bunite protiv nesposobne uprave, koja uništava kompaniju, onda imate moju punu podršku. No nemojte bježati od vlastite krivnje. Da ste se bunili u doba Lufthansinog vazala možda biste danas zarađivali puno više.
ReplyDeleteI tebi je to kao wow plata...pa u Air Srbiji kopiloti imaju vecu zaradu a standar u HR je kako je meni poznato jaci nego u Srbiji....prema tome nesto nije u redu u OU?
DeleteNeće oni nikuda, nažalost. Obični su to uhljebi koji se boje otići s državne sise.
DeleteEto neka odu onda u Air Serbiju. Nitko ih nije zavezao.
DeleteNe menjaj pricu nego reci kako im je to tolika velika plata???
DeleteVelika je nego šta. Takvu plaću nemaju ni vrhunski kirurzi. Ako očekuju plaće kao na zapadu Europe malo su se prešli. Neka onda isele i rade na zapadu, narod Hrvatske ne može to financirati.
DeleteU pravu si nemanj je ovde na balkanu! A trebalo bi, a zapitaj se zasto onda odlaze lekari i sestre iz Hrvatske i Srbije u EU? Jel Vama to normalno? Ovde na Zapadu doktor ima jacu plactu od vecine pilote ako ne i onih najiskusnijih sto lete long range avione. I tu nema dileme. Ali zato i pilotu imaju solidno dobre plate. A ovde na balkanu cim neko ima malo bolju zaradu odmah ih proterujete u EU sa izgovorom ako im ovde ne valja neka idu. Pa ostace vam na kraju samo saka jada koja je primorana da radi za 500eur i tajkuni koji zajedno sa politicarima se izivljavaju nad tim istim doktorima, inzinjerima, radnicima u fabrici ili prosvetiteljima. Tuzno sta je politika uradila na ovim prostorima u zadnjih 20ak godina.....
DeleteKlasični balkanski mentalitet, svi radimo za 500 eur, ko dobija više je lopov i uhljeb. Svi koji bi voljeli i zaslužili višu platu ne potrude se sebi povisit, nego hoče snizit onima koji imaju više. Samo da smo svi jednaki, pa makar u jadu i bjedi. Sa ovakvom mentalitetom nema budučnosti na balkanu. Nažalost.
DeleteWhat this show is that Croatia is geared/reliant way too much on tourism!
ReplyDeleteThe government along with the OU management has been beyond incompetent when it come to OU. They said recently on Otvoreno (link below) that they will announce a new board in the coming weeks and it will be there job to negotiate with the unions. This looks like they are just playing games. Will be interesting to see if they even announce a new board.
The staff at OU have given the management and the government way too many goodwill passes and the workers can't be blamed here. And this comes from someone who is actually not the biggest fans of unions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BqAV_zM9Ws
For those who are arguing about wages at OU being above average and so they should be happy.... Where do I start!?
ReplyDeleteCroatia (and the region) has absolutely no hope with this attitude. This seems to be a common way of thinking in former socialist countries and its beyond bad, a real cancer to your chances of success. You guys should be engaged in a race to the top, not the bottom!
Why would any business/company pay you more when you yourself think you should be paid less??
This negative attitude towards others who are more successful no matter what the reason for their individual success is hardly productive.
The thing is, OU would have made significant loss in 2017 had there not be a sale of LHR slots, so basically OU makes loss without selling assets. If pilots want larger salaries, the money will have to come from somewhere - either selling more of the company’s assets (who is destroying the company now) or from the government, which gets their funds from hardworking taxpayer salaries, which are far lower than the pilots salaries. So I guess the solution for the gentlemen and ladies in OU is to enjoy payrise while everybody else will pay more tax and earn less.
DeleteThe thing with pilots is that most of them are required to have a very broad spectrum of knowledge, and then some people think they know everything about everything, including finance. The reality is, until OU can get enough pilots to operate enough flights (even if they have to cancel some), they are paying market salaries. The truth as well is that some people will not leave Croatia regardless of the salary at OU, so why should the company pay them more, if they wouldn’t leave even with a 50% paycut. I know this opinion is not popular, but this is the way it is.
If all other airlines pay much more, why are they still in OU then? Could it be that they simply can’t get a job anywhere else because of their attitude, poor English skills or something else? Why would you fight for couple of kunas more per month if you can join another company that pays substantially more money to begin with?
Maybe some people just don’t want to leave their home. They want to stay in Croatia and Croatia Airlines is the only real option for them.
DeleteThe fact that OU had to pay assets to show a profit is a reflection of the management! Other countries would have some type of standard where you have to demonstrate competence. In Australia for example, anyone who works for the government has to re-apply for their job every few years. That means resend resume, interviews, everything and many dying this process lose their jobs, or get demoted, replaced etc. There is no system of accountability here and for many years OU management have shown that they needed to be replaced by their lack of any real plan or vision apart from treading water in violent seas.
I find OU staff are some of the nastiest people around with no manners!
ReplyDelete