Bristow UK strike
I seem to remember that Bristow management/directors were paying themselves huge percentage pay-rises/ bonuses/stock options circa 2008-2014, while screwing down pay and T&Cs for pilots. Around 2012 BALPA pilots voted for industrial action..and BALPA ignored the ballot results.
Plus ca change.
Plus ca change.
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I have to agree with the sentiments of the NS pilots here, the American business model stinks worse than an open sewer on a hot day. They will ANYTHING to screw an employee down. They have no interest in your welfare or wellbeing, to them, you are only a means of gaining a bigger bonus at your expense. I've seen this first hand for 20+ years now. The 2 big players are owned by greedy grubby US investors who want their money now, yesterday, last week, the other month. They have NO interest in long term gains and this is true for most US investors, get in, take money, asset strip and leave. Sorry if this hurts any of you but I'm afraid to say it's the truth so get used to it. Hurting them in their pocket it the only way Im afraid. They don't recognise overseas workers rights as they truely believe that every employee working for them work under the same rights as a US worker living in the US. They JUST DON'T GET IT
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Impress,
For the record...how many times did Bristow get bought and sold before the dreaded Yanks were the buyers?
Did any of those buyers do as you describe or were they all benevolent and doting kinds of people that through money at the staff and bought more spares, aircraft, and expanded the business at the cost of dividends and benefits to themselves?
Now if you drop the "US" from your rant I shall stand with you and hold a protest sign too.
I along with a lot of Bristow employees benefited from what few shares we were allowed to buy during a couple of those management changes so it was not exactly a one way street in all of them.
this is true for most US investors, get in, take money, asset strip and leave.
Did any of those buyers do as you describe or were they all benevolent and doting kinds of people that through money at the staff and bought more spares, aircraft, and expanded the business at the cost of dividends and benefits to themselves?
Now if you drop the "US" from your rant I shall stand with you and hold a protest sign too.
I along with a lot of Bristow employees benefited from what few shares we were allowed to buy during a couple of those management changes so it was not exactly a one way street in all of them.
Its the Quarterlies Sasless! In the UK, we moan and groan about those bl00dy accountants who aren't interested in anything that drags on into the next financial year. Meanwhile, in the USA, the dreaded Quarterly Results, and their almost religious significance, mean things are at least four times worse. Did they know where that was heading in 2018/19?
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I think 28 years of American ownership qualifies for the criticisms made by Impress to Inflate - can't blame Alan Bristow for these failings.
Olster, you seem to have taken umbrage at my post - I didn't misquote you I just paraphrased, and your comments about mil training deserved riposte.
I have to say, I wasn't aware how bad things had got in UKSAR, ex-mil people tend to just adapt to changing fortunes, so little complaining was coming from ex-colleagues.
I'd be interested to know who (ex-mil) in the UK management system has failed to push back against Houston and allowed this to degenerate to such a poor level that it sounds like a Flight Safety hazard.
The management attitude seems to be like the UK Govt dealing with the train drivers - you can have a pay rise but only if we can decimate your Ts and Cs - pretty p*ss poor.
I was roundly told to wind my neck in when I criticised Bristow a few years ago, partly based on rumours about their attitude to profits over people/capability.................Hmmmmm
Olster, you seem to have taken umbrage at my post - I didn't misquote you I just paraphrased, and your comments about mil training deserved riposte.
I have to say, I wasn't aware how bad things had got in UKSAR, ex-mil people tend to just adapt to changing fortunes, so little complaining was coming from ex-colleagues.
I'd be interested to know who (ex-mil) in the UK management system has failed to push back against Houston and allowed this to degenerate to such a poor level that it sounds like a Flight Safety hazard.
The management attitude seems to be like the UK Govt dealing with the train drivers - you can have a pay rise but only if we can decimate your Ts and Cs - pretty p*ss poor.
I was roundly told to wind my neck in when I criticised Bristow a few years ago, partly based on rumours about their attitude to profits over people/capability.................Hmmmmm
They could do with some back office stream lining, you only have to walk around the Aberdeen HQ and wonder what exactly all these people are doing.
Bond was streamlined until it got bought out, then all jobs seemed to multiply!
Much reminds me of the meme with the managers around the 1 bloke with a shovel
Bond was streamlined until it got bought out, then all jobs seemed to multiply!
Much reminds me of the meme with the managers around the 1 bloke with a shovel
Last edited by helicrazi; 11th May 2024 at 15:58.
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I seem to remember that Bristow management/directors were paying themselves huge percentage pay-rises/ bonuses/stock options circa 2008-2014, while screwing down pay and T&Cs for pilots. Around 2012 BALPA pilots voted for industrial action..and BALPA ignored the ballot results.
Plus ca change.
Plus ca change.
yes and no about the strike, the general workforce was not any where near as singular in there mind as now, the vote then had a low turn out and a low majority to carry out industrial action. If only the people who voted yes carried out industrial action it would have collapsed very quickly. Probably on day 1.
With a mid 90’s turn out and mid 90’s yes vote its shows the strength of feeling and the commitment of everyone to stand together to deal with this frankly dishonest and passive aggressive bulling management and get a proper payrise.
Even with a 95% no vote the company stated in an email “we’re close to a deal” right after the results were mentioned. I think they are not living in reality. I also honestly think they did not believe the SAR bases would strike.
Something that’s not mentioned above is the company were also slipping into the new T&C’s the expectation you will work anywhere in the country whenever they want…. (With no detachment pay), which means all the people that moved at the company’s insistence near a base might find they are doing shifts at the other end of the country. Have a think about what they have agreed to recently and have to man….
There was so many holes in the T&C’s they offered….. however there view is trust us we won’t abuse it. Even though they all trust evaporated a long time ago.
Crab,
I have never criticized Alan Bristow and in fact have been quite vocal about how good it was to work for a "Real Helicopter Pilot".
I had direct interface with him on several occasions and saw first hand what an amazing guy he was.
He took care of his people and had some very good managers looking out for the outfit.
There were bumps in the road but you knew you could take a problem up the chain right to Mr. Bristow himself and get a fair hearing from him.
It was after he sold it that it the changes started taking place that leads us to where the company as a whole (not just the UK Business Unit) finds itself today.
All things change....even the RAF and Bristow.... but not always for the better.
Helicrazi is not as crazy as he hopes when he describes the admin growth in the company.
I watched that happen during my time with the company in one of their operations in Africa.
For the longest time the GM pretty much ran the show with a Managing Engineer and a very small staff.
After he was replaced the admin staff numbers blossomed into a real gentleman's club with lots of new titles, new offices, each position replete with an assigned car and driver.
We know the rest of the story about how all that turned out after the change in ownership and the growth of staff pukes occurred.
I have never criticized Alan Bristow and in fact have been quite vocal about how good it was to work for a "Real Helicopter Pilot".
I had direct interface with him on several occasions and saw first hand what an amazing guy he was.
He took care of his people and had some very good managers looking out for the outfit.
There were bumps in the road but you knew you could take a problem up the chain right to Mr. Bristow himself and get a fair hearing from him.
It was after he sold it that it the changes started taking place that leads us to where the company as a whole (not just the UK Business Unit) finds itself today.
All things change....even the RAF and Bristow.... but not always for the better.
Helicrazi is not as crazy as he hopes when he describes the admin growth in the company.
I watched that happen during my time with the company in one of their operations in Africa.
For the longest time the GM pretty much ran the show with a Managing Engineer and a very small staff.
After he was replaced the admin staff numbers blossomed into a real gentleman's club with lots of new titles, new offices, each position replete with an assigned car and driver.
We know the rest of the story about how all that turned out after the change in ownership and the growth of staff pukes occurred.
sasless - I think you'll find this has less to do with the growth in numbers of management and more to do with Houston screwing the nut on cost-cutting to keep profit levels adequate.
Rotor guy has it pretty much nailed in his post's last couple of paragraphs about the Ts and Cs erosions the management are trying to force through.
And Impress to Inflate is right about some US business practices and attitudes to unions which are not popular on this side of the pond (mainly because they don't work).
I'm very glad to be retired and not to have to make decisions about industrial action but after what I have heard, I quite understand how a very loyal and hard-working workforce can be forced into it by the intransigence of management.
Doesn't seem to bode well for the new contract frankly.
Rotor guy has it pretty much nailed in his post's last couple of paragraphs about the Ts and Cs erosions the management are trying to force through.
And Impress to Inflate is right about some US business practices and attitudes to unions which are not popular on this side of the pond (mainly because they don't work).
I'm very glad to be retired and not to have to make decisions about industrial action but after what I have heard, I quite understand how a very loyal and hard-working workforce can be forced into it by the intransigence of management.
Doesn't seem to bode well for the new contract frankly.
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I agree....at some point you park the helicopter and engage in a most direct and frank conversation.
In general I am against striking as there are other avenues available that can be just as effective and keep the pay checks coming in.
Sometimes "Work to Rule" using the Ops Manual and Company SOP's can result in gaining acceptance by management that some changes are needed.
Striking should be the last step in such a process but when all of the staff walk off....that puts a lot of pressure upon management to find a solution.
I watched a manager break a Union while I was flying corporate out in the Pacific Northwest.
Day one of the Contract Negotiations he accepted every one of the Union demands....all of them.
Then he set out what the Company wanted which were very simple and reasonable.
The Union Leadership would have nothing of it and solicited a Strike Vote from the members.
We were forced to fly the Company Rep in due to the picket lines around the mill.
As I was quite friendly with many of the Mill workers they would approach me at the picket line and we would talk.
When the word got out what the strike was really about following a Company Press Release to the local news outlets...and that the company had agreed to all of the union's initial demands....the folks voluntarily left the picket line and returned to work and in a later vote dissolved the Union.
So it works both ways.
I am solidly on the side of anyone that is trying to improve their lot in life and if it means striking then that is fine.
The danger to it is the hard feelings that crop up during that process and the hardship it poses on those trying to get those pay raises and other improvements.
Are other Union Pilots or the Union offering financial support for the strikers?
Without that then the Strikers are going to be under quite a bit of financial stress.
Who has the deeper pockets in this...the Company or the Strikers?
In the Contracts between the Customers and the Company....any "Strike Clauses"?
Who is picking up the slack....are the Customers able to find the necessary support from other Operators whose Pilots are not honoring the Bristow Strike?
One thing that made the Teamsters Union so strong in the United States is other unions would honor those picket lines and not cross them and in return the Teamsters would not cross other Union's picket lines.
In general I am against striking as there are other avenues available that can be just as effective and keep the pay checks coming in.
Sometimes "Work to Rule" using the Ops Manual and Company SOP's can result in gaining acceptance by management that some changes are needed.
Striking should be the last step in such a process but when all of the staff walk off....that puts a lot of pressure upon management to find a solution.
I watched a manager break a Union while I was flying corporate out in the Pacific Northwest.
Day one of the Contract Negotiations he accepted every one of the Union demands....all of them.
Then he set out what the Company wanted which were very simple and reasonable.
The Union Leadership would have nothing of it and solicited a Strike Vote from the members.
We were forced to fly the Company Rep in due to the picket lines around the mill.
As I was quite friendly with many of the Mill workers they would approach me at the picket line and we would talk.
When the word got out what the strike was really about following a Company Press Release to the local news outlets...and that the company had agreed to all of the union's initial demands....the folks voluntarily left the picket line and returned to work and in a later vote dissolved the Union.
So it works both ways.
I am solidly on the side of anyone that is trying to improve their lot in life and if it means striking then that is fine.
The danger to it is the hard feelings that crop up during that process and the hardship it poses on those trying to get those pay raises and other improvements.
Are other Union Pilots or the Union offering financial support for the strikers?
Without that then the Strikers are going to be under quite a bit of financial stress.
Who has the deeper pockets in this...the Company or the Strikers?
In the Contracts between the Customers and the Company....any "Strike Clauses"?
Who is picking up the slack....are the Customers able to find the necessary support from other Operators whose Pilots are not honoring the Bristow Strike?
One thing that made the Teamsters Union so strong in the United States is other unions would honor those picket lines and not cross them and in return the Teamsters would not cross other Union's picket lines.
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In my experience, people go on strike for only one reason. And it is not money. People only take that action if they feel they are being treated like rubbish.
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Nigerian In Law
Helicrazi is not as crazy as he hopes when he describes the admin growth in the company.
I watched that happen during my time with the company in one of their operations in Africa.
For the longest time the GM pretty much ran the show with a Managing Engineer and a very small staff.
After he was replaced the admin staff numbers blossomed into a real gentleman's club with lots of new titles, new offices, each position replete with an assigned car and driver.
We know the rest of the story about how all that turned out after the change in ownership and the growth of staff pukes occurred.
It appears Status is everything after all !
But this largesse didn't extend to the actual revenue earners, except the Sooper Dooper Jet pilots. Couldn't recruit/keep them otherwise.
NEO
Last edited by Nigerian Expat Outlaw; 11th May 2024 at 15:15. Reason: Poor spelling !
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Could we stick to the Bristow SAR theme chaps?
I like to reminisce as much as the next guy but this is a major player in the 21st century trying to screw the aircrew having not learned any lessons from the past.
I like to reminisce as much as the next guy but this is a major player in the 21st century trying to screw the aircrew having not learned any lessons from the past.
Sasless - as I understand it, the action has about a 90% support from the workforce so that covers pretty much all bases. I may be wrong but I think the only union involved is BALPA.
Unlikely to be any financial support but any division will be small given the massive majority in support of the strike.
JimF671 is absolutely right - reasonable people can only be pushed so far.
Unlikely to be any financial support but any division will be small given the massive majority in support of the strike.
JimF671 is absolutely right - reasonable people can only be pushed so far.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Could we stick to the Bristow SAR theme chaps?
I like to reminisce as much as the next guy but this is a major player in the 21st century trying to screw the aircrew having not learned any lessons from the past.
I like to reminisce as much as the next guy but this is a major player in the 21st century trying to screw the aircrew having not learned any lessons from the past.
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Originally Posted by [email protected]
Sasless - as I understand it, the action has about a 90% support from the workforce so that covers pretty much all bases. I may be wrong but I think the only union involved is BALPA.
Unlikely to be any financial support but any division will be small given the massive majority in support of the strike.
JimF671 is absolutely right - reasonable people can only be pushed so far.
Unlikely to be any financial support but any division will be small given the massive majority in support of the strike.
JimF671 is absolutely right - reasonable people can only be pushed so far.
Jim is on the money, the treatment and rhetoric has been disgusting. The atmospheric change started about 2 years ago and relations over the last year have nose dived.
There has been long discussion about the escalation of industrial action but due to managerial attitude at negotiations it was soon realised that strike had to be base 1.
There are measures in place to share the pain amongst those affected. It’s blatantly obvious that the company are not interested in improving their offer. By improvement i mean simply dropping their erasing of all previous agreements and long agreed T&C. This was only meant to be a pay negotiation but management want more. If it was simply the % mentioned above this would have been agreed weeks ago. The company are after a reset that would set off yet another race to the bottom and affect the entire industry.
The aircrew don’t want to strike, far from it. However they’ve been pushed into a corner and what we are seeing is the only option.
We all know there is profit in the contracts. They wouldn’t be signed if there wasn’t. But the blatant greed here is eye watering and if I were a Bristow client just now I’d be forensically auditing what services are contracted vs what’s being provided.
There has been long discussion about the escalation of industrial action but due to managerial attitude at negotiations it was soon realised that strike had to be base 1.
There are measures in place to share the pain amongst those affected. It’s blatantly obvious that the company are not interested in improving their offer. By improvement i mean simply dropping their erasing of all previous agreements and long agreed T&C. This was only meant to be a pay negotiation but management want more. If it was simply the % mentioned above this would have been agreed weeks ago. The company are after a reset that would set off yet another race to the bottom and affect the entire industry.
The aircrew don’t want to strike, far from it. However they’ve been pushed into a corner and what we are seeing is the only option.
We all know there is profit in the contracts. They wouldn’t be signed if there wasn’t. But the blatant greed here is eye watering and if I were a Bristow client just now I’d be forensically auditing what services are contracted vs what’s being provided.
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