Exactly Triple X.
We should not need to justify why we earn what we do, or the agreements we work to.
Yes, wages and agreements are amongst the best in the industry.
Yes, happy, well paid staff = bumper profits for BA.
Yes, purely because of the pay and agreements is why I chose to work for BA over Virgin, Britannia etc etc.
And Yes, I will certainly strike to maintain these agreements (and I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of BASSA either). In fact, out of all the trips I have worked on since rumours of the strike began i can count on one hand the number of collegues who will not be voting 'yes'.
Although to be fair BA have made it clear that they are NOT proposing and changes to our agreements. The main issues are the attendance management process, pensions, removal of a purser on the jumbo, an increase in pay increments on the post '97 contract and the correct application of us flying no more than 900 hours in any 12 rolling months.
This new management we have need to be shown that they can not walk over us. They cannot get away with 'negotiating' an attendace management process with BASSA and once it's agreed simply change the rules to benefit them.
Management whinging that we are too expensive while they award themselves with GBP75million bonuses.
Management that take months to sort out the simple issue of a woman wearing a cross around her neck.
I'm certainly not going to get on my soapbox about how poorly paid I am or how un-fair it is. Because it is not true. I am paid well, which is why I left Virgin for BA. I get more time off after trips, which is why I left Virgin for BA. Its also why I am so, so much happier when on the aircraft when I am at BA. Which I guess in some small way is why we make so much money.