What Unite, BASSA and their myopic
PR department have totally failed to understand is that even if ALL of those who balloted yes last time vote again they are still less than 25% of the company.
Less than 1 in 4, more like 1 in 5 that have the desire to 'bring the company down'. In truth there is probably (sorry, not written down, no proof, just my personal assumption) less than 10% of that number who are so suicidal.
How many of the original voters were duped by BASSA/Unite into voting on the future potential of New Fleet? How well was the campaign run to ensure that those voting were aware that the vote was purely over imposition? What the real world result would have been can only be speculation again but I would be fairly sure that the 'yes' vote would have been considerably smaller.
As to the 'imposition', what choice was BA left with? For once the other Unions made it perfectly clear that they would no longer carry the intransigent Cabin Crew Union by applying clauses to their agreements that meant they would only be action if ALL Unions were toeing the line. BA assured those Unions that would be the case. BASSA had more time and opportunity to get their house in order and negotiate than any other Union. They admitted at the start that productivity increases were both needed and essential. Then they dived off down the 'temporary solutions for temporary problems' rabbit hole. Refused to accept independent financial advice on the state of the global economy and the company as a whole. According to BASSA from November last year the premium passengers should be flowing through the doors of T5 by now and the financial future should be glowing rosy. Reality paints a somewhat different picture, especially for those in JAL, Aer Lingus, BMI, Globespan etc. Where is their 'secure' future now?
BASSA did what it always did, stonewalled and hoped that BA would give in and go away. What BASSA has failed to grasp is the feeling of resentment from the other groups and Unions at BA towards the lack of negotiation and the demands that BASSA be treated differently. Time is up.
As to the militant minority within BASSA who would rather see the company brought down under the tenure of Willie Walsh. Leave. If you dislike it so much then vote with your feet. If the conditions working 1 or 2 down under the evil imposition are so tortuous then I am sure BA will have great difficulty replacing you.
Willie Walsh is doing his job. His job is not to 'luuurve' up to the Cabin Crew in the same way that CRM isn't 'Cuddly Reassuring Manner'. He doesn't even require to see you as 'individuals', he receives briefings from your managers as to the financial viability, costings and productivity as a group. Exactly as he receives the same about all other departments. He then makes BUSINESS decisions based upon that data. His responsibilities are to ensure that the company has a
marketable, competitive product, a sustainable cost base and remains an investment vehicle for the stock market. He does that for the Board of Directors, the customer and the Investors. Not for the comfort of the Cabin Crew. Just because he is finally tackling the thorny subject of 1980's T's & C's that no other CEO in the past hasn't had the balls to do doesn't make him an evil CEO. In fact looking at the run of the share price following the announcements yesterday I would suggest that he has hit the investors sweet spot.
The reaction of all other staff to his 'volunteer' idea should show Unite the strength of feeling within the rest of BA, the 30,000 other employees who have accepted change, who have negotiated and don't want an idiotic Union led by muppets like Tony Woodly who have no vested interest in the company itself, from destroying BA.
So, to sum up, if BA will be so bad to work for under the imposition (taken as a last resort) then walk away. Let those of us who are 'foolish' enough to accept change soldier on in out idiocy. This entire scenario is not aimed at Cabin Crew individually. Most Cabin Crew, in my humble opinion, do a fantastic job, especially when faced with the chaos of the weather and sitting on aircraft for hours waiting for De-Icing. This scenario is aimed squarely at those who sit at the top of BASSA and Unite and don't give a damn about the individuals they just want to retain their death grip on power at BA and will use every trick in the book to achieve it.
P.S. The
CAA minimum mandate for Cabin Crew training is 2 days which must include aircraft specific SEP and basic first aid AvMed.
Have a nice one. See you in the galley.
