UPECC - Union of Pilots, Engineers & Cabin Crew

20/11/2025

We note that Blue Islands has now entered administration and all operations have been suspended. This is a challenging moment for the pilots, engineers and cabin crew who have been affected.

UPECC stands ready to support any member who needs guidance on their rights or next steps. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

29/10/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The news of Eastern Airways entering administration should give us all a moment to pause and reflect on the welfare of our aviation colleagues affected by this development. We all love this industry, and it is only that love that keeps so many of us here.

The UPECC team stands firmly with all those impacted, Pilots, Cabin Crew, and Engineers alike, and we urge the wider industry to show its love for aviation not just in words but in action by valuing and hiring these skilled professionals before looking elsewhere for talent.

The UPECC Team.

16/09/2025

UPECC Newsflash
Setting the record Straight

You can forward this email to those colleagues who need to know about UPECC. If you are not a member and have been sent this email, you can join UPECC by clicking the button below or this link - https://www.upecc.co.uk/join

15/07/2025

Apologies it’s been a while….. we’ve been busy…

23/10/2023

Sorry we’ve not posted in a while…. we’ve been busy…

On Friday 20th October we received the following news……

“The Certification Officer (“the CO”) is satisfied that UPECC meets the definition of a trade union under section 1 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (“the 1992 Act”) and the name has been entered on the list of trade unions. I have enclosed a certificate to show this.”

02/02/2023

Flybe Ltd Update

The directorate at UPECC has issued a discount on monthly and yearly membership for redundant Flybe employees. Yearly membership is 50% off, monthly is 0.01p per month, for the first six month.

Flybe didn’t recognise a trade union for any workgroups, but that doesn’t mean we as an body shouldn’t help. So if you know a Flybe employee who might benefit, please share or tag (or both). Please use the link below for Flybe employees

http://www.upecc.co.uk/flybe

We have also asked our members across UPECC to share and forward our latest newsletter with any Flybe employees, so if you know someone in UPECC, get a copy! (non-flybe employees can join by going to www.upecc.co.uk)

28/01/2023

Flybe Administration

We were made aware late last night that Flybe ltd was going into administration. We are supporting our members there, and will continue to assist them where we can.

This is another sad and stressful day for staff in the aviation industry, especially so for those who had invested in the restart of operations.

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas to everyone, especially our members. We’ve been heartened to say we have been fully available and operational through the Festive period looking out for our members.

UPECC, Uniquely Different, Equally Valued

Apply to join the Union of Pilots, Engineers & Cabin Crew. Credible and effective representation for the aviation industry.

31/10/2022

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-airways-owner-iag-looks-to-snap-up-rivals-as-easyjet-falters-vxqb9tx89

IAG, the owner of British Airways, is to renew its plans to consolidate the European airline industry with speculation growing that it could move to snap up tr

23/10/2022

Recent employee pay offers at two of the UK’s largest airlines, demonstrate that employee voice and a truly transparent meaningful relationship are both lacking. Colleague groups can be marginalised when this doesn’t exist, and we are seeing some of this across the UK.

One group of employees has been excluded from an all colleague one off payment and at another major airline, the same colleague group are offered a pay and efficiency deal, below that of other colleague groups, with the threat of further pay CUTS if not ratified.

This is at two airlines where relations between Union and Employer are acknowledged as poor at best and nonexistent at worst. There must be engagement, transparency and honesty in order to fully represent the best interests and concerns of the members. This will in turn represent the best interest of the business, which is often failed to be seen by company leaders.

www.upecc.co.uk
JOIN TODAY! £18 per month

A new credible, transparent and effective trade union. A world first for Pilots, Engineers & Cabin Crew. Professional representation and negotiation

27/09/2022

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Lord Purvis of Tweed, is the new Honorary President of UPECC.

We are delighted to announce that Jeremy Purvis, Lord Purvis of Tweed, will take up the role of the first unpaid Honorary President of the Union of Pilots, Engineers and Cabin Crew (UPECC), with immediate effect.

Lord Purvis brings to the role an unusual combination of private sector, and political expertise. Elected as an MSP in 2003 at the age of 29, this made him the youngest constituency MSP at that time, and then appointed to the Lords at 39 as one of the youngest ever life peers. Based in Scotland and focussed on international affairs and development he brings a wealth of global experience as well as knowledge of pressures facing domestic and international travellers and staff.

Lord Purvis said: “I am honoured to take up this role with UPECC. It is time for an open, realistic, evidence-led and genuinely diverse national debate about the influence and place of the aviation sector and how it can flourish in changing circumstances and despite the impact of the Covid pandemic and global measures to tackle climate change. Cyclical Crises are no surprise to aviation and the industry will adapt as they come. I am glad UPECC aims to reach beyond traditional industrial relations strategies, and I am supportive of their aim to secure a prosperous future for the employees within this sector.”

Please visit www.upecc.co.uk/jeremy for full details

    We are delighted to announce that Jeremy Purvis, Lord Purvis of Tweed, will take up the role of the first unpaid Honorary President of the Union of Pilots, Engineers and Cabin Crew with immediate effect.

25/08/2022

https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/proposed-new-uk-aviation-union-to-focus-on-collaborative-industrial-relationships/149933.article

Commercial aviation personnel in the UK could have an alternative body of representation if a proposed new union, focusing on collaborative strategy with employers, gains sufficient followers. Branded as UPECC - the Union of Pilots, Engineers and Cabin Crew - the new organisation is initially aiming...