Social unrest among cabin crew Brussels Airlines

In a press release, ACV Puls and its French-speaking counterpart CNE sound the alarm. Jolinde Defieuw of ACV Puls explains that many cabin crew members fly far fewer hours than intended, because Brussels Airlines recruited many temporary contracts at the start of winter. She also refers to plans to employ student workers, although they are not yet in action.

“These choices were made very unilaterally, without consultation with the union delegation, with the consequence that people are now unable to fly enough hours. This has a huge impact on their income, because it means they earn hundreds of euros less per month,” says Defieuw. In the press release, the unions state that permanent staff only fly half the normal number of hours on average.

According to Defieuw, many rest and vacation days are also scheduled, which they can then no longer take. She therefore fears “very intense months” in the summer with a lack of rest.

The fact that Brussels Airlines would decide everything unilaterally is the core of the problem for the unions. They also refer to the decision earlier this month to fly to Tel Aviv in Israel again from February. The connection was suspended for months for security reasons. “Social dialogue is completely pushed aside. A lack of respect,” it reads.

A follow-up meeting for the reconciliation is planned for next month. If nothing changes, the situation will escalate, according to Defieuw, and actions cannot be ruled out. Actions are not currently planned.