Industrial unrest at Ethiopian Airlines following agreement on new pay scheme - Brief Article

Airline Industry Information, Jan 24, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Industrial unrest has arisen at Ethiopian Airlines with the carrier dismissing 13 aircraft technicians last week and issuing 32 others with warnings after a new pay scheme was approved.

The 13 employees were laid off for being involved in activities considered to be detrimental to the employer/employee working relationship and industrial harmony, while those receiving warnings were considered to be fostering dissatisfaction, hampering cooperation and creating disharmony and disillusion amongst staff according to the Addis Tribune.

Another 13 have been suspended for engaging in activities that are harmful to the carrier`s working relationship and industrial harmony.

Under the new pay scheme technicians` salaries will vary according to the person`s skill qualifications as well as productivity, and Ethiopian Airlines has said that it `...is not in a position to make salary increases unless these are compensated by productivity.`

However, the technicians have said they would prefer wage increases to the variable pay `incentive` scheme and say that they will be disadvantaged under the new system because the incentive pay will not be included in their pension remuneration.

The airline's trade union has asked that the dismissed employees be reinstated.

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