Stall Pusher,
You have held up your rickety ivory tower for so long you've got your head in the clouds.
The adjustment for CC is going to be painful. I really do feel for those who have said that they have become used to the current wage and it will be difficult to re-adjust.
BA CC, for all their worth, are not worth what they are being paid in todays environment. A quick benchmark check will clarify that.
As to:
This is why BALPA were so relieved to get a deal, as they know the pilots had no stomach for a fight. Even if the OpenSkies contracts had been pulled out the drawer and laid before them, it would have been inconceivable that they would take any sort of industrial action.Their settlement was purely political to get them onside and as you can see on this thread, they are trying to get everyone else to roll over, as a cabin crew or GSS strike may spoil their summer barbecue plans. What is so funny is that the Flight Crew don't see it that way, they think it was a victory for "intelligent negotiating" which found an "elegant solution". It is laughable.
What is laughable is that once again the Flight Crew have taken external advice (PriceWaterhouseCoopers), have a good clear oversight of the problems, held meetings and forums with the business leaders and ALL members have had the opportunity to quiz both BALPA and BA on the current situation. At the end of this 3-4 month process we have come up with a level headed solution to a major problem.
What has BASSA's approach been? As usual an emotion driven rant that 'it's not all as bad as that' and 'WW is the devil incarnate and wants to rob us of money' followed by 'temporary pain, temporary measures' without once bothering to actually assess the situation fully and carefully. Very little communication with its members, whom BASSA expect to follow their lemming like lead without question. 'We know what's best for you! (as long as you are long haul, senior crew, living abroad)'.
The economic situation is real, the forward bookings are down, yield is through the floor and there is no relief in sight. APD is going up, travel plans and mentality have changed, fuel price is on the way back up and still, still you can't see a problem? The scene is set and now you come up with:
If a walk out is assured 100%, then he is more likely to negotiate.
This is exactly the 'gun to the head' approach that has caused BASSA to be so reviled in the past. Public opinion is dead set against BASSA. The company will have a legal contingency plan in force for your 100% strike. It will be deemed illegal and sacking will occur. Add to that SOSR in the following tribunal and you have a real and dangerous job loss scenario. Still you wish to push for 100% strike vote.
Go for it, I don't mind watching a door on a flight for a few weeks.
Yes alot of the financial grief was cause by bad and difficult management decisions. They paid for that with their jobs. The investment community view that sort of thing a 'temporary' glitches with immediate solutions. The constant, overriding threat of union action is a totally different scenario, there is little rhyme or reason to some actions. Strike action over 'ingrowing toenails'? Diversion disruption? etc. etc. etc.
Every time there is a proposed change within the workforce we hit this wall. Time to change.