I have been with BA since 1996 and been through previous ballots for a strike. I never participated in the strike in 1997 as I was fairly new at the time and actually didn't want to risk my job (some people would call me selfish). In 2007, I did vote in favour of a strike but I was still not sure as to whether I wanted to participate. The feelings are pretty much the same and there is a lot of tension amongst the crew and a lot of resentment towards BA which is understandable as the management has played a couple of nasty tricks on us in the past years. There isn't much faith and it's probably why many crew are eager to go out on a strike. When you get to briefing or on the aircraft, this is what's being discussed and the risks involved in not having any crew at D5 during the safety demo. Perhaps I'm a bit naive but surely BA would never violate any regulations to save money?
Personally, I am very much confused on how to vote. I don't mind working harder and if this can save our jobs, I'm willing to do it. I've done three trips since the imposition and it has worked well considering the change of positions and CSD being part of the service. Yes, the service in Club World takes a bit longerthan before and some of us from WT, where I usually work, have gone there to help the crew finish the service. It's only a matter of time before everybody finds their feet and know how to do it properly. The service in First, Club World (UD) and WT has not been affected whatsoever from this imposition. As for re-setting AVOD, press a couple of times on the screen. We don't need the CSD to leave the trolley to do it.
I still haven't posted my ballot paper because I am very confused as to what I should do. BASSA is determined to keep things as they always have been at any cost. Even though I'm on the old contract, pre-97, I still am willing to change a few things. The Monthly Duty Payment can be to our advantage if negotiated properly as it would be evenly spread throughout the year and we wouldn't have to be concered about our pay when we are put on 24HR because we have almost reached 900 hours. We wouldn't have to rely on those LR trips to SIN, HKG, SYD or NRT to get as much allowances as possible. Some crew haven't seen SYD for years and never received any of those payments for a long time. CAI for instance would be worth a lot more and not only a couple of pounds.
On one side, BA has been generous. They never accepted the pay cut which was offered by BASSA. They could have if they had wanted but I actually think it was a good gesture of them not to do it. They only asked for a two year pay freeze as suggested by BASSA. I can understand though that the imposition and removal of an additional PSR will lower the chances of any future promotions. Personally I'm not interested to be promoted as I like to choose whether I want to work in either CW or WT but many crew do want to get promoted to either work in First or to PSR. How will this be affected? I personally believe it will only be a matter of time until they choose to remove the PSR from First and only have one PSR to supervise WT.
If New Fleet comes through, it basically means the end to the rest of us who will not transfer and accept a new contract. I'm not being cheap but if I were to transfer to New Fleet and accept those terms I would have to accept an almost 55% pay reduction in basic salary. It wouldn't be financially possible but on the contrary I am willing to work harder, as we now do onboard, but floating around 850 hours I can't take on any more trips and this is the case with many full-time crew on WW. No offence towards the crew on EF but there could be a great improvement in regards to operations and performance. Maybe shorten down the turnaround time at CRC which in the long run means shorter working days and more time at home which is surely what most crew want? I have never done EF myself but at least that's what I would want over more than anything else.
I'm not very fond of WW or BF but I do believe that they are honest about having to make these savings. Look all over the world and see how companies are struggling financially and having to lay off staff or even going into bankrupcy. Perhaps WW and BF are twisting the truth a little but I also think that BASSA is. They were denying the recession and financial crisis and thought they would go away accordingly.
A last point. I don't think a strike is the solution as it will only affect us financially and put us in an even worse situation than what we are already in. We would need to make additional savings and who knows what sort of crew reduction and other actions that might be.
Even if I choose not to strike and the majority do go out on a strike, what's the point? Will it be to any favour for us who go to work? Surely BASSA would be wanting to find out the names of those not participating in a strike?
Sorry for this long and less meaningfull post. Any suggestions as to how I should vote would be appreciated even though it's a personal choice. Or, maybe I have made up my mindn after all? Perhaps it's time for me to do something else. I'm only 31 years old and was only meant to fly for a year anyway.