HotelMode you raise some really good points. many of which I have asked myself.
I think that BASSA is trying to throw as many 'issues' into the pot as possible to gain maximum support for the ballot. For example, the pension issue may only be of massive importance to those that have been in BA a bit longer than say 4 or 5 years. So, add the 'merging of new and old contracts' into the equation and you also have the backing of those with less than 4 or 5 years experience (obviously new contract).
BA have stated that they wish to remove a Purser. I do however (personally) support this position. As you have mentioned NO industry or company in 2006 can justify 5 'managers' for 10 'staff'.
What I have a problem with (on the BA side) is this: they have so many means of which to communicate with us. Our home address, ESS mail, crewlink etc etc. They could spell out every single issue that BASSA has said 'will happen' and give a black and white guarantee that those issues are not being discussed at the moment. And yet, so far anyway, BA chooses not to do this. Now in my eyes, this means one of two things. 1) BASSA is right. Or, 2) BA WANT a confrontation with the cabin crew to test their resolve and union support.
BA do things like propose the issue of an hourly rate, yet refuse to give us the figures per hour which can only raise the eybrow of the crew community. Again, I would support an hourly rate IF IT WAS THE RIGHT RATE. But without any figures it could be £1 p/h or £10 p/h. How are we meant to work out if it is a good deal or not? All we can rely on is BASSA's reccommendation.
Why not make a statement to crew that box payments, ETP, STP, 5 sector days etc are not in the pipeline (which are all things BASSA are claiming are). BA's silence on the issue really is quite deafening.
Saying that, I do really hope that some middle ground will be found. I hope the moderates from both BA and BASSA will come out of their holes and start some reasonable NEGOTIATION.
I believe that Willie is now concentrating on turning the various fleets/contracts within cabin crew against each other in order to ensure a total walk-out doesn't happen. For example, do a deal with those pn the new contract in terms of basic pay, yet introduce an hourly rate etc etc. As you mention, I think there will be many tricks up his sleeve.
Last edited by keeperboy; 9th December 2006 at 15:44.
Reason: add info