A321
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
We were given a NOTOC (NOtice TO Captain) with 2- 1.4S packages [explosives] and 1 lithium ion battery as COMAT (company materials).  In order to be fully aware of what we were carrying I called Cargo OPS.  The gentleman who helped me out to go over it realized that no two dangerous goods could go in one compartment and ask me to have the lithium battery removed. I requested the Crew Chief to accomplish the above request and was told that it was good and I should go. His goal was to be on time; and although I can understand his pressure; safety is our priority at all times.  I asked to get it removed and was told that they have been sending airplanes like this in the previous days with no issues and I should just push. I stated that what other flights have done; is not a matter of discussion regarding this flight; and that per Cargo OPS; HAZMAT it needed to be removed otherwise I would not be pushing until it was accomplished.  I was told that they were going to call the Chief Pilot on me. I'm not sure if that was a tool of intimidation or not but I told them to please have them call me.  A few minutes later I received the call from Chief Pilot. I explained the situation and understood what was happening. At one point the Crew Chief wanted to place both 1.4S packages on the aft cargo which I told him not to do so. Eventually they removed the 1.4S cargo from the fwd cargo leaving the lithium ion battery on the fwd cargo and one package of the 1.4S on the aft.   We departed and operated safely to ZZZ1. [Caused by] rushing to comply with departure times and not listening to what our priority is: Safety. I suggest training for our colleagues so their main focus is open communications for a safe environment so we can have a safer operation.
A-321 Captain reported a successful resolution of a Hazmat cargo loading violation resulting in completing a safe transport of Hazmat cargo.