ETF Solidarity statement with TUIfly workers
October 7, 2016
The ETF and all of its affiliates are following the recent developments in German aviation with great concern. On behalf of 270,000 aviation workers the ETF represents all over Europe, we would like to express our support to ver.di members and aviation workers in Germany and tell them that they are not alone in their fight.
We fully share the view that the integration of TUIfly into a holding led by Etihad means de facto a sell-off of this airline. Workers are also very anxious about the plan to incorporate TUIfly into the Austrian low-cost airline Niki having significantly lower wages than TUIfly.
Furthermore, the fact that all of these changes have been kept secret and have not been properly consulted with the workers’ representatives in line with German and EU legislation is simply unacceptable. This is social violence and workers feel aggressed. We at the ETF are ready to draw the attention of the European institutions to this unbearable situation.
Finally, workers are very concerned as to who would effectively control this new entity. In this respect, we reiterate that the ETF is strongly opposed to any relaxation of ownership and control rules as proposed by the European Commission in the ‘Aviation Strategy for Europe’ and we will fight it with all means. The fight against social dumping is at ETF’s heart!
We would like to assure TUIfly workers that we are fully committed to support them in any possible way.
For more information, please contact François Ballestero, ETF Political Secretary, at f.ballestero@etf-europe.org
Tags: Airline sell off, Etihad Airways, low cost airlines, NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH, Social dumping