September 19, 2017
Via Electronic Mail at Jhernandez@acdac.org
Captain Jaime Hernández Sierra
President of the Columbian Association of Civil Aviators 19a #95-30
Bogotá, Colombia
Dear Captain Sierra:
I am writing on behalf of the 30,000 professional pilots and their associations who make up the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP). We are proud to have the Columbian Association of Civil Aviators (ACDAC) as members of ASAP. As you know, the principal purpose of ASAP is to promote and protect the interests of our pilots. We provide a forum to address common issues that affect all alliance pilots and to promote the highest level of safety among all Star Alliance airlines.
Recently, Avianca pilots have spoken with one voice and voted to authorize their union representatives to strike as negotiations have not resulted in a new agreement. An overwhelming 90% of the pilots voted in favor of the strike. This vote shows the deep unity and resolve AVIANCA pilots feel against the direction set by their airline’s management.
A successful strike will require a renewed unity commitment by every AVIANCA pilot. In taking charge of your future and seeking improvements no one can be a spectator or let someone else do the work. I encourage you stand united, now more than ever.
As fellow ASAP pilots, we want you to know we support you, the pilots and co-pilots of ACDAC. Women and men who have always shown, and continue to show your technical, safety and professional values. Our endorsement is accompanied by the recognition of the professional work done daily by the pilots of your country with regards to the passengers, company, government, and other authorities.
We know that a successful negotiation process requires enormous fortitude, discipline and courage. This is especially true when the process becomes challenged by external interests. We extend to you our full support for the course of your struggle for fair working conditions.
Difficult times lay ahead, which, I am confident, will be overcome by the unity, solidarity and resolve that the Avianca pilots have consistently demonstrated.
Fraternally,
Captain Alberto Gaspari
Chairman
ASAP Executive Board
November 29, 2016
Via hernan.rincon@avianca.com
Mr. Hernán Rincón
President and CEO, Avianca Holdings S.A. Aquilino de la Guardia Calle No. 8
Panama City, Republic of Panama
Via mark.schwab@staralliance.com
Mr. Mark Schwab
CEO, STAR Alliance Services GmbH Frankfurt Airport Center, Main Lobby 60546 Frankfurt, Germany
Via Calin.Rovinescu@aircanda.ca
Mr. Calin Rovinescu
Chairman, Star Alliance Services GmbH, Chief Executive Board c/o Air Canada
1625 K St NW
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Gentlemen:
I am writing you on behalf of the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (“ASAP”). The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium of 28 member airlines which includes Avianca. ASAP consists of the pilot associations of these airlines and speaks for approximately 30,000 professional airline pilots. One of the goals of ASAP, which I hope you share, is to promote the highest level of safety among the Star Alliance airlines.
ASAP has received reports from ACDAC who represents pilots at Avianca, Avianca Cargo, and Copa Airlines Colombia, that these companies are ignoring court rulings and discriminating against pilots represented by ACDAC.
ACDAC has achieved significant court rulings that guarantee freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. However, Avianca and Copa have refused to recognize and implement the rulings. Rather than comply, they have chosen to circumvent the rulings and have pressured their pilots to sign individual contracts that provide them with increased compensation in return for increased productivity. This practice undercuts ACDAC’s collective bargaining rights and the increased productivity is obtained by pushing pilots to
535 Herndon Parkway Herndon, Virginia USA, 20170 Alliancepilot.org
keep the operation efficient even though it is detrimental to their health and raises safety concerns.
ASAP encourages you to stop these discriminating practices and comply with your legal obligations to engage in good faith bargaining with ACDAC and reach a collective agreement that treats all of your pilots equally. Please let me know if ASAP can assist in resolving ACDAC’s concerns.
Sincerely,
Alberto Gaspari Chairman
ASAP Executive Board Alberto.Gaspari@alpa.org 949-510-2889
Juan Manuel Santos Calderón President of Colombia
Calle 7 N° 6-54
Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia
January 13, 2015
Dear President Santos,
I am writing on behalf of the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (“ASAP”). As you may know the Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium consisting of 27 member airlines which includes Avianca. ASAP consists of the pilot associations of those air carriers and collectively represents approximately 50,000 professional airline pilots.
We are pleased that you and your administration have committed in the US-Colombian Labor Action Plan (“LAP”), which is an important part of the US-Colombian trade agreement, to defend workers’ rights and improve labor conditions in Colombia. However, we regret to inform you that Avianca and Copa Airlines are engaged in anti-union conduct that we believe you need to promptly address.
ASAP is deeply concerned about reports that pilots represented by the Association Colombiana De Aviadores Civiles (“ACDAC”) are victims of discrimination by their employer, Avianca and Copa Airlines, solely because they are members of ACDAC. Specifically, we understand that Avianca and Copa are offering pay incentives to pilots who agree to individual labor contracts rather than working under the existing collective agreements. This practice is designed to eliminate ACDAC by reducing their membership to the point they are ineffective and can no longer exist.
The conduct of Avianca and Copa by ignoring lawful collective bargaining agreements and discriminating against the pilots is in direct violation of the LAP that you have committed to implement and we believe a violation of Colombian law. We request that you conduct an investigation into the apparent anti-union conduct of Avianca and Copa and take the necessary steps to ensure that these airlines comply with the LAP and respect the rights of their pilots.
We would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Yours sincerely,
Captain Ron Pellatt
ASAP Executive Board Chairman
rpellatt@acpa.ca