Transavia is discontinuing peak-trough contracts for cabin crew. The airline is making the decision after a discussion arose about the controversial contract form. Staff can apply for unemployment benefits at certain times. Transavia wants to prevent “the appearance of abuse”.
Transavia is making the decision to discontinue the contracts after consultation with the unions, a spokesperson said. The peak-trough contract means that an employee has a contract all year round, but there are six weeks a year – the trough period – without work and salary. The trough periods fall between November and January, when it is relatively quiet.
KLM’s subsidiary is converting the contracts because of the “social and political discussion surrounding the application and allocation of unemployment benefits during these trough periods,” the spokesperson said. Cabin crew can stay at home with unemployment benefits while remaining employed, news site Follow the Money wrote in March.
“Although we as an employer play no role in whether or not individual employees apply for unemployment benefits,” the spokesperson said, “we want to prevent the appearance of abuse.”