bmi group strike ballot very likely this week.
Different issues in each of the three parts of the group - mainline, baby and regional.
But the common thread is the attitude and manner in which the bmi group has refused to negotiate with the pilots.
In mainline the main issue is the unilateral cancellation by bmi of the major part of the 2004 pay agreement which took place a few months ago.
That agreement hammered out over many months and ballotts in 2004, said that for 2006 a negotiated settlement would be arrived at following a survey of bmi pilots' packages versus those of other airlines.
That survey was carried out in 2005 but then in early 2006 bmi said that the whole process of settling the 2006 pay award was going to take too long and a modest group award was imposed on the pilots. End of story. Thank you for waiting for two years, go away and don't make a fuss about it.
At the same time there are many other issues in bmi mainline that fuel the present feeling of upset and annoyance -
Massive hikes in proposed pension contributions -from 10% to 18.5%, which are somewhat high by any measure.
A new rostering system which continually produces lates rosters and with the wrong nightstop preferences.
An abysmal off-airport staff car park and bus service and despite constant promises just gets worse. This wastes around 40mins every working day, extending the day and crucially is before official report and after official report - ie in so called "rest" time by CAA definition and is not "duty".
A nine year wait (at present) for a central car park pass. Central car parks are just a few minutes walk away.
(If you are a non-pilot working in a bmi ground service dept - cabin crew management/check-in etc you can get a central pass after a few years)
A lack of a promised 80% part time scheme (another part of the 2004 agreement forgotten about by bmi).
No new commands since 2001.
Promises of expansion and commands through long haul - " the engine of growth". Minimal expansion and only wet leased in capacity with denied promotions.
And to finish off - one recent example that sums up the whole bmi attitute to its staff nicely - in a new LHR crew room revamp they've taken away all the chairs for the pilots and cabin crew briefing areas and just left high tables to stand by and lean on.
No longer can you afford to sit down, digest, mull, discuss and plan your days multisector duty with your colleagues in a professional manner.
bmi - professional staff working for questionable management - who refuse to answer the questions.