Letter from BALPA Representatives to all bmi non pilot employees.
8"' August 2006
For the attention of all non pilot employees of bmi mainline, bmi baby and bmi regional
Dear fellow bmi employee
You may be aware of the fact that members of BALPA in the three airline groups are currently engaged in strike ballots. You will also have seen the message which has been sent by the CEO to all group employees.
The reasons why each group of pilots are currently engaged in this process are many and varied. We would not want to patronise you by asking you to review any of the details. The company are painting a picture of us which suggests that we are asking to be treated differently from any of the other working groups. Various terms have been used by a number of company board members to describe their pilots - the most recent being made by the COO who stated we are a 'bunch of over paid prima donnas'. You will, we are sure, appreciate how comments such as this are received by BALPA members who, every day, are tasked with ensuring the safe carriage of passengers and crew to a wide range of destinations.
We know that the despatch of any aircraft comes about as a result of a team effort across a large number of company departments - all members of that team have an equal role to play. From Cabin Crew who have hands on contact with our passengers, Engineers who handle the technical issues every day, to those who work behind the scenes in Operations or in an office at Donington Hall. All pilots have enormous respect for all the employees who are part of that team.
The situation that is currently unfolding within the pilot groups has largely been brought about as a result of a legacy of broken agreements and promises which have taken place over a number of years.. Those agreements allow pilots to negotiate pay each year independently of other working groups. Rather than pilots asking to be treated differently to other staff, as the company are suggesting, pilots are rightly asking to be treated as per their existing agreements - nothing more and nothing less. By treating the pilots in the way they have the company are demonstrating the degree of disrespect and contempt they have for their workforce.
The company now state that they are willing to engage in negotiations for 2007 and 2008 with representatives from all the employee groups - a very typical jam tomorrow promise. The pilots are not in dispute about pay for 2007 or 2008. The current dispute only relates to 2006: The ECA subsidy will finish next year. Do you really think that the prospects for 2007 and 2008 will be any different from 2006? We would urge all employee groups to be cautious of the promises that the company are making with respect to the next few years.
Due to the position taken by the bmi board it is looking increasingly likely that there will be a strike action of some sort in the near future. You can be assured that the action will only come about as a last resort and only if all other possible dispute resolution avenues have been exhausted. We are mindful that this action will inevitably impact on employees who deal face to face with our customers. We regret any inconvenience that might be caused to all our fellow employees. We also hope that having taken the time to read this letter you will better understand that the pilots are not looking to be treated in a different way from other employee group. Pilots want ALL employees to be treated with respect and in accordance with whatever industrial agreements they might have. We are very mindful of the way in which the company treats many of its employees. The pilots are seeking to stand up to the company's 'its our way or no way' attitude. We hope we can rely on your support.
Thank you to the many of you who have indicated your support so far.
BALPA Pilot Representatives