Aviation is a very harsh trading environment
As we know, BA is a legacy airline and despite the post 1997 cabin crew contract there are a significant number (30%+) of cabin crew on pre-1997 crew contracts which coupled with the demographic of the workforce and some complex terms and conditions do not make for cabin crew costs to be in the lower end of the market.
It is not possible to determine the exact headcount of British Airways Cabin Crew. The physical count is agreed around the 12000+ but embedded in that is a mix of full time, 75%, 50% and 33% contracts. What the equivalent full time workforce stands at can only be estimated and someone may have a figure.
There is much comment about the lack of trust in British Airways and to that I would direct you to the new contract in 1997 and ask how many pre-1997 contract holders have had their contracts directly degraded as a result, the answer is none, British Airways has continued to honour pre-1997 contracts.
During the intervening time there have been numerous heavily subscribed part time lists, compulsory part time contracts for returning mothers and other initiatives including voluntary redundancy packages. Many pre-1997 contract holders have decided to reduce their working commitment and every one goes some way to lowering the cost base.
There are strong suggestions from BASSA that crew complement be restored either partially of fully to pre-Nov 2009 levels and their first call would be part time crew being allowed to increase their percentage working as their circumstances have changed. BA have made it abundantly clear that there will be no increase in part time working contracts. BA have patiently offered part time working over the 13 years and attracted legacy contract holders to apply and it has always been over subscribed, it is totally unreasonable to expect BA to give it all back and increase legacy contracts.
All of us are keen to get the best deal on whatever we buy, be it insurance, consumer items, food, the list is endless and that has driven prices down and markets are very competitive. Why is it such a surprise to a certain group of employees that the travelling public also searches for the best deal when they travel by air which has resulted in a very very competitive travel industry?
It is to the credit of British Airways that they have not already sought more draconian measures and driven crew costs down to the more accepted market level. It does come as quite a shock to employees when a previously benevolent employer decides to call a halt to the generous historic terms and conditions and introduces a hint of reality and reference to the actual market that they are trading in. The reality for any trading organisation is that you either adapt or flounder in today's trading environment.
We have all done in a quiet moment. Ask yourself what you could realistically earn if you lost your current job. Apart from the fact that there currently aren't many real jobs out there to be had, the answer is probably very sobering.