TAP already suspended driver who advises the union – publico

                 

                         
                     

                         

                 

 
                         

PUBLIC know that TAP decided to suspend the pilot who has advised the union in recent months, including during the ten-day strike that occurred in May. The suspension of duties is related to the inquiry by the airline to determine whether rules of ethics and safety were violated.

                     

                          The decision shall remain in force until the investigations are completed, they may end up with a disciplinary process whose consequences are still difficult to predict. But, ultimately, the air carrier may require the work service terminates.

In addition to official TAP, Paulo Lino Rodrigues holds a consulting firm since 2008, through which he served the Union of Civil Aviation Pilots. Already last its connection to the union had generated controversy, causing, by the way, the output of many members.

The contract with P. Rodrigues Consultants was temporarily interrupted during the term of Jaime Prieto, who left the President of the SPAC place late last year, having been elected at the time Manuel Santos Cardoso (who meanwhile resigned after the May strike).

Despite having always been behind the scenes, Paulo Lino Rodrigues was a centerpiece in both the negotiations with the Government in late 2014, which led to the signing of an agreement with nine unions TAP and the cancellation of a strike four days between Christmas and the New Year, as well as the decision to move with the stoppage ten days last month.

In one of his few public appearances, that the PUBLIC watched, the pilot now suspended by TAP emerged in Parliament at a hearing of the Committee of Public Works, as a . of the Trade Union Forum spokespeople who signed the agreement with the executive in December

On the basis of this investigation initiated by the company it is the fact that the commander is simultaneously advisor to SPAC – a function for which the union structure admitted Lino Rodrigues was paid. There is, therefore, ethical issues in the process base, as the airline believes that the activity carried out as a consultant is closely related to the position he plays in TAP.

On the other hand, air carrier also is assessing whether the assistance it provides to the union, which has become more intense in the period of ten days strike, has challenged the operational safety. One of the occasions when the administration of the airline and the pilots tried one last deal to halt the strike on the eve of the start of the protests, Paulo Lino Rodrigues have been in the service of the union when there were three hours to take off when the rules require total rest.

When contacted by PUBLIC, an official source TAP refused provide clarification on this survey and its consequences. “We do not comment on disciplinary matters,” he said.

Since the SPAC issued a further statement on Saturday in which he said that “it is false that the commander Lino Rodrigues Paulo was the strategist of the strike of pilots” explaining that the decision to proceed with the strike ten days “was decided in a meeting” and voted on by 434 members, with 360 votes in favor.

“The maintenance of the strike was the sole responsibility of the SPAC direction , duly authorized by the assembly company, which decided to keep the same due to the frustration of negotiations with the administration of TAP. It is false that Paul Lino Rodrigues Commander was engaged in those negotiations. It is false that Paul Lino Rodrigues commander of activity has had any influence on the decisions taken by the SPAC under the declaration and maintenance of the strike, “the union said in a statement.

And so, the direction of SPAC” repudiates vehemently, because false accusations charged by TAP the commander Paulo Rodrigues Lino “.

The May strike caused a deep malaise, even within the union. In addition to the challenge wave of protests ten days scheduled by the pilots, who claimed the fulfillment of the company agreement and a stake up to 20% stake in TAP, there was internal ruptures.

With the resignation of the President of SPAC were already called new elections, which will take place between 29 June and 3 July. There are three lists in the race.

For the airline, the strike brought losses of about 35 million euros, to which the administration will still have to answer with an adjustment plan required by the Government to control costs and increase revenues. The aim is to relieve pressure on the treasury, the stoppage of the drivers actually increased.