Originally Posted by
Ancient Observer
Many of the e-mails on here are "inward looking". If BA CC are to succeed with their strikes, they must gain public support. I'm not convinced that current "sickness" levels in BA - at more than twice the UK average, and current working time arrangements (working half the time of teachers), will help BA CC gain public support. I think that CC need to pick an issue which will be supported by the public. The current tactic of complaining about everything is not a good tactic. As with other customers who have posted here - I have a choice and do not have to fly with BA. I happen to prefer to fly with BA, but I need certainty.
We will not gain public support and we know it. Nurses and police officers have a hard enough time getting any public support, i think our chances are nil.
The large majority of UK public is interested in the cheapest fare they can get with the maximum amount of perks thrown in....end of.
They are not really bothered with the impact this has on pay or working conditions.
A bit like a pair of Nike training shoes. Would the average shopper pay £200 for a pair of trainers made in the UK? Or £80 for the same trainers made in a sweatshop in Cambodia?
I think the 'success' of any industrial action is dependant on the unity of the workforce involved. And with a 80% return and 96.1% 'yes' vote the unity is certainly there.
The true 'success' now rests with the union and BA being able to sit down and thrash out a fair deal for both sides.
FACT: The post '97 basic pay at BA LHR is the market rate.
FACT: The starting basic salary for crew at LGW is significantly below the market average. The LGW take home is in-line (or lower) than most UK LCC's.
FACT: LHR variable pay is generally much better than most UK airlines. But this is VARIABLE. We are not guaranteed a penny of 'variable' income per month. BA are under no obligation to roster us ANY flying. If they wanted we could have 3 months of standby with no flying at all and a takehome pay of around £850.
FACT: When sick we do not have the opportunity to hide behind a desk or 'work from home' with a laptop. The prospect of going to the developing world for a trip when you are not feeling well is not great either. The pilots also whinge about EG300.
FACT: There are un-doubtably a number of BA cabin crew that take the p#ss with attendance. Time off during school holidays, sporting events etc. But EG300 seems to punish the genuinely sick. Yet if you 'play' the system strategically and are careful with dates you can abuse it.
FACT: There is room for change within in-flight service that could save BA money. But there is also a lot of changes that BA could make to improve the working lives of their crews that would not cost a lot and would bring our conditions in line with other airlines. Such as a decent staff travel system (able to have a set number of any nominees, the ability to buy Club ID90 tickets, not having to wait 10 years for our first freebie). A decent bidding system for long-haul (we can request two trips per year and cannot swap any -except back to backs-). A little 'give and take' maybe?
The media and the net chatrooms tend to include the two extremes: the extreme militant faction of cabin crew and those that seem to have a personal grudge against cabin crew. It is usually these two groups that scream the loudest and gain the most attention.
The overwhelming majority of us are just looking for a solution without the need for a strike. However a solution that does not see us being walked all over like a bunch of doormats.