THAI Crew Members Protest Company's Policy

[webfact]

THAI Crew Members Protest Company's Policy

Flight attendants of Thai Airways stage a protest against the company's plan to cut operational costs by reducing the number of cabin crew on aircraft.

Meanwhile, the airline's labor union denies any involvement in the protest.

Over 100 cabin crew members of national carrier Thai Airways International, led by Thai Crew Club chairman Jirayuth Phuchongkasamut, are staging a demonstration at the airline's headquarters on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road to protest the company's plan to reduce its operational costs by cutting the number of cabin crew on aircraft and their holidays in foreign countries.

Jirayuth said the group submitted a petition to the airline's executive board as the crew members thought that the measures would make them earn less income while doing more work.

He noted that quality of service will be affected as well.

Meanwhile, Chaemsri Sukchoterat, acting president of the Thai Airway International Workers' Union, insisted that the union is not involved in the protest.

She commented that such an action could damage the company's image and the union will not take responsibility for problems that may occur.

Chaemsri noted that the airline's executive board needs to implement the policy to reduce operational costs to overcome the company's current financial loss.

She was of the view that some executives, who are facing disciplinary inquiry, might have instigated the crew members to stage the protest.

As for the planned cut in the Finance Ministry's stake in the company, Chaemsri said the plan is initiated by the ministry, not the company.

However, she stated the matter depends on the new government's decision.

She added the company is not concerned about the matter, as it believed that minor changes will be seen.

The ministry currently holds a 51 percent stake in THAI.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-10

[arrowsdawdle]

It is not just about work load, it is a matter of safety. Of course, they will have to comply with regulations to maintain foreign routes. Sounds like the union offices must be in the corporate headquarters.

[ginjag]

It is not just about work load, it is a matter of safety. Of course, they will have to comply with regulations to maintain foreign routes. Sounds like the union offices must be in the corporate headquarters.

Plus the fact that to get more money you should be filling aircraft with tourists (sort of 2 in 1 plan) operational costs will be high if Thai insist on Very high fares, and lesser service. GET your fares down, greedy Thai, and reclaim your old travelers that have been drifting off to better deals. It just beats me they cannot see it, Happy hens lay eggs. Thai -you get what you deserve.

[swifty5x5]

I wonder if Chaemsri Sukchoterat knows that a union represents the employee's not the company.

[Bagwan]

I wonder if Chaemsri Sukchoterat knows that a union represents the employee's not the company.

Some trade union that is. However they have some way to go before they catch up on one Arthur Scargill, the UK miners leader of some 30 years ago. He lived in a house then worth over 1 milion GBP - which was in his wife's name of course. Scargill was a capitalist par excellence and thoroughly enjoyed all the trappings of power. His sheep like members, the miners, thought they knew better - which might explain why they were condemned to work down a mine in the first place. The leaders of unions in the US don't bear close examination either.

The rule in my cabin staff days was one licenced cabin staff member per 50 passenger seats.

Edited June 10, 2011 by Bagwan

[Sydebolle]

Well, I came across the situation, where the crew hushed everything very fast ...... in order to park their tired bodies in a darkened part of the cabin to sleep. Something I've never seen on any other airline. Hence the key is the security definition; for running up and down the aisles with a bottle of white in the left and red vino in the right hand you certainly do not need extra cabin crew (particularly if you asked for red wine and get white wine poured and the lady just walks away).

[jfchandler]

What's this one about? No explanation in the article of course....

She was of the view that some executives, who are facing disciplinary inquiry, might have instigated the crew members to stage the protest.

Meanwhile, I'd agree that the ACTING union president seems to be doing a pretty good job of ACTING as a company stooge....

So, I guess the next time someone has a lousy flight and/or lousy service on THAI, they ought to forward their complaints to the Foreign Ministry as the majority owner???

[MaiChai]

Not flown on Thai for a long time. Why? High prices, old planes, poor inflight entertainment, poor service, tired/worn seats. Its now like a 3rd world airline. The only way they can come up from this is be more competitive and improve the service. The service is unlikly to improve if they reduce cabin staff.

[moe666]

Well, I came across the situation, where the crew hushed everything very fast ...... in order to park their tired bodies in a darkened part of the cabin to sleep. Something I've never seen on any other airline. Hence the key is the security definition; for running up and down the aisles with a bottle of white in the left and red vino in the right hand you certainly do not need extra cabin crew (particularly if you asked for red wine and get white wine poured and the lady just walks away).

How many airlines have you flown, they all work in shifts to catch a few hours of sleep. I fly EVA to Thailand and after several hours in the flight you will only find one or two attendants on duty at each station. Donot need any more because just about everyone is asleep. China Airlines the same, United Airlines the same as per a friend who is a flight attendant, Delta to France the same,American Airlines to Great Britian the same.

[kinmaew]

55555555+++++

They dont even need a farang CEO to cut costs, the Thais can make life miserable for themselves, congratulations.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

I can't remember the last time I even considered flying on Thai. So many times I would see the price and at the end was so many extra hidden fees that I just stopped looking at them as an option

[AGL]

Time has come for TG to be totally a private company and operated ( competitively ) for the benefit of all passengers and employees.

[JurgenG]

Not flown on Thai for a long time. Why? High prices, old planes, poor inflight entertainment, poor service, tired/worn seats. Its now like a 3rd world airline. The only way they can come up from this is be more competitive and improve the service. The service is unlikly to improve if they reduce cabin staff.

Agree with most of it, except for the service. I fly Thai on a regular basis between Bangkok and Hong Kong, the planes are old, there is no inflight entertainment to talk about but I always found the flight attendants to be very nice and helpful and the food is not as bad as with other companies.

[EvilDrSomkid]

I flew with THAI twice in November last year. I hope that will be the last time...

Overpriced, plane not properly cleaned (the floor was sticky <deleted>!) and delayed due to arrival of crew 20 minutes AFTER boarding was to start.

They weren't even hurrying, just trickling in by ones and twos mosying along.

I was not impressed with some of the stewardesses attitude either...

Spineless union rep, too.

That company is clueless on how to increase or maintain profits.

[prefabs]

That company is clueless on how to increase or maintain profits.

They have illustrated perfectly over the years that profit is not one of their goals.

What I can't work out is what their goals actually are

[EvilDrSomkid]

That company is clueless on how to increase or maintain profits.

They have illustrated perfectly over the years that profit is not one of their goals.

What I can't work out is what their goals actually are

Um, someone stuffing their own pockets at the detriment of the company?

[metisdead]

Off topic posts have been removed.

[sotsira]

Not flown on Thai for a long time. Why? High prices, old planes, poor inflight entertainment, poor service, tired/worn seats. Its now like a 3rd world airline. The only way they can come up from this is be more competitive and improve the service. The service is unlikly to improve if they reduce cabin staff.

Same here, stopped using them years ago, too expensive and old planes with poor service.