Change in Ethiopian Work Conditions Not Flying With Employees

Hailu Teklehaimanot

27 December 2010

Allafrica.com

Addis Fortune (Addis Ababa)

A letter written by the management of Ethiopian Airlines to all cabin crew members notifying them of a change in the working conditions and compensation scheme has created resentments among employees.

The letter written two weeks ago and signed by Solomon Debebe, vice president of customer services for the airline, highlighted the major changes introduced by the airline.

The duty time for day and night flights for cabin crews was increased by one hour to 14 and 13 hours, respectively. The standby time at the airport, which used to be four hours, was increased to six hours, of which only a half is considered duty time for which staff will be paid, while only a quarter of the 12-hour standby time at home was to be considered duty time.

This move by the management is considered by many of the cabin crew-members as inconsiderate. The new measures would see crews fly into a country and catch the next flight back, without taking a break, if the round trip amounts to 14 hours or less, many complained after receiving the letter.

The letter comes just as crew members complained that the 15pc salary increment they received was too small. They are not the only employees at the airline complaining about increments as ground technicians also have an issue with the 35pc raise they received.

Both cabin crew and ground technicians have expressed feelings of being overworked and underpaid. About a month ago, technicians voiced their concern in a meeting with Tewolde Gebremariam, the designated CEO of the airline who will take over from Girma Wake, the outgoing CEO.

Not having received a satisfactory response to their demands for a pay increase, the same issue was raised on December 7, at a general meeting between employees and management, which was held alongside Seyoum Mesfin, chairman of the airline's board of directors.

The meeting ended without employees receiving a definite response from the management. Cabin crew-members and office employees were left with the impression that they were replaceable. More reading on All african.com.