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. COST SAVING TALKS PAGE
21st February 2010
Days of wonder.
There is no doubt that as crew, the times we are living through are troubling - but they are also historic; these truly are the days of our lives.
We have faced bullying, threats, gloating managers and colleagues, smears on our character, attacks on our families and intimidation - but we are still right here.
We had been involved in very intense negotiations for the past two weeks at the TUC in central London; we committed to you to try and find a negotiated settlement and that’s exactly what we are trying and will continue to try and do, despite provocation to do otherwise. We won’t stop trying until the last minute of the last day before we take industrial action.
If we have to take industrial action, it will be for no other reason than because those talks have failed, but this will not be for want of trying on our part.
Last week was long, tiring and tough and ended on a low, with a second loss at the hands of a judge. We spent many hours and days locked away in windowless rooms. During one of many adjournments, we often found ourselves in Assistant General Secretary, Lenny McCluskey’s office, at Unites head office, on the wall to his office he has framed the lyrics to a Labbi Saffri song ‘Something inside’, as it has given him inspiration in difficult times.
It would be fair to say that it lifted our spirits as well and has become something of an unofficial anthem between us all, and for whatever reason, we took its words to heart - and you know what? Losing the court case was disappointing, but it hasn’t had the devastating feeling that the December loss gave us all; we are still here, we are still strong and with your backing, we are not going anywhere anytime soon.
Willy Walsh, Tony McCarthy, Bill Francis et al do what they do because they are paid to do it; you and I are standing up for something we believe in - ourselves and what’s right - and that’s a big difference.
Perseverance, a quiet dignity and strength of heart will always win in the end.
Every dog has its day and boy, are we ever due one soon!
MONDAY 22nd February
Another momentous day is ahead of us.
On Monday afternoon (tomorrow) we will be given the results from the final counting of our ballot.
The waiting is nearly over; tomorrow we will know exactly the effect their threats have had. Do you still wish your voice to be heard? Or have their bullying tactics worked.
In just a few hours we will all know.
We know it has been so hard for you, having to do it all over again for a second time, there has been so many threats and intimidation to the cabin crew community and to individuals, we know this will have taken its toll.
We need to get above 50%, with all that you have had to endure; we will be delighted to reach that target.
As soon as the result is available it will be communicated to you, until then our fingers will remain firmly crossed!
Joint Members' Meeting
Thursday 25th February 11.00am Kempton Park
If you can, you really do need to make the effort for this one, we will be reporting back for your consideration two specific areas only.
• Deal or no deal?
• Progress on the talks that have been held at TUC over the last two weeks - and your views on that will be sought.
We will also all know the ballot result and if a strike has been called, then together we will decide on the course of our industrial action with regards to dates and duration.
It couldn’t be any more important that you spare the time to join us and have a voice in your future.