So it starts again!
Also the membership were told that the Amicus (CC89) side of UNITE, led by Brian Boyd (Steve Turner’s counterpart representing AMICUS interest) has agreed in principle to finding the £140m... much to our dismay.
Lets start with this little gem. Surely, even in Lala Land, this should have been patently obvious. Amicus had already expressed its concern over the stance that BASSA had taken throughout the negotiations and had communicated it to its membership. Perhaps, in a fit of madness, Brian Boyd communicated with his membership and asked (!) them what they wanted to take forward. The militant hard line as advocated by BASSA or an acceptance of the current economic conditions and those projected to come and accepted that change was indeed required.
BASSA informed BA (again via Acas) that the improving financial situation meant that all previous proposals were now off the table and a blank sheet of paper between us would be a good starting place for fresh negotiations. Sadly BA could not or would not add anything to this blank piece of paper.
It is good to see that BASSA is being briefed by stout economic and business advisers to come out with this pearl. As the various political parties start to address the generally taboo subject of public sector cuts, the private sector is rationalising and resizing in a desperate attempt to regain growth and stabalise profit margins, pensions are bled dry and savings are acrruing no interest. The only way out of the debt is increased taxes, cuts in the public sector and increasing interest rates which will make debt far more difficult to service and BASSA thinks everything is rosy!
BA made an average profit from the gluttony years due to excessive costs cutting the margin. With the revenue stream cut, cheaper airfares, higher taxes and increasing fuel costs BA must continue to keep in house costs low if it is to see a return to profitability. At this time the company is still bleeding cash from every pore and likely to do so for many many quarters to come.
Add to that the question of why should fresh negotiations take place anyway? Its a bit like the mortgage company telling you for months and months that you are in arrears and then asking to start negotiating as the eviction team knocks on the door with the final notice. Way too late.
Perhaps BASSA should take a good long look at the Amicus lead and instead of harangueing them as traitors perhaps view them as leaders who are willing to stand up for their members not the BASSA hive mind.
Good luck