Originally Posted by Unite
This imposition is completely unacceptable. It
is a disgraceful attempt to intimidate workers into
accepting poorer contracts. This imposition must be
withdrawn. BA must step back from the brink and
get back round the table to talk.
Just like they've been doing for the last 9 months? How long do Unite think talks should go on for?
In three days of talks last week at ACAS, BA
categorically refused to talk about these plans.
They conducted themselves in bad faith then
and are doing so again now. BA must be under
no illusion; Unite will vigorously defend BA's
loyal staff and its customer base and will not
see standards driven into the ground by this
management team.
That'll be the talks where BASSA wouldn't sit in the same room as CC89.
BA's continued determination to mimic the no-frills
end of the industry will cause despair for customers
who pay a premium price and expect a premium
service in return. Cabin crew are the heart and soul
of that premium service and are dearly valued by the
customers for the professionalism and dedication, yet
now they are being presented with an impossible
choice - cut the service and do more for less, or lose
your job.
It's all about the crew isn't it! You'd think they were the only reason anyone flies BA. It's a shame the dedication to premium service wasn't evident when BASSA were refusing to hand out hot towels in Traveller+.
Brian Boyd, Unite national officer added:
"BA's ultimatum puts our members' jobs and
livelihoods under serious attack, and further
damages the reputation of our national carrier.
"Unite and its cabin crew members have said all along
that we wanted to negotiate a shared solution to the
short-term financial problems facing BA. Earlier this
year, Unite tabled changes amounting to £140 million
in savings for the business.
Errr, £54M according to PWC.
These could have been
banked months ago, putting cash into the business
while retaining the airline's integrity and sustaining
good industrial relations. These were dismissed out of
hand by BA's management and now it is clear why.
Yes, because they weren't enough!
Sadly, the company is not interested in compromise,
preferring conflict with its workforce.
You've been given a savings target, you have to reach it. Offering a third of it as a compromise isn't enough.
Unite believes the new contractural changes are an
attempt to force staff to pay the price for management
failings with the company wringing more and more
out of fewer and fewer staff who will be paid less.
Oh yes, it's all managements fault isn't. No global recession then.
Working hours will be extended, crew levels will be
slashed, career opportunities will disappear and new
starters will be brought in on bargain basement wages.
You had 9 months to negotiate a workable solution. You didn't, so now you face the consequences.
Unite says this will inevitably damage customer service
and hit the brand, possibly leaving it beyond repair.
Nothing damages a brand like bankruptcy.