What Willie Walsh said at today's employee forum
Here is some of the things which Willie Walsh said at today's employee forum.
He was called last Thursday morning by Derek Simpson (joint general secretary of Unite) asking for an extension of the strike mandate. (Unite must legally strike within 28 days of a ballot, but the employer can agree an extension.) This would enable the crew to be balloted on BA's last offer. Simpson indicated that crew might accept the offer.
He reluctantly agreed to a 22-day extension from 22 March to 13 April. A strike could then be legally called seven days before (on 6 April). Simpson called him again that day to confirm the arrangement.
On the next day, he heard nothing from Simpson prior to McCluskey's announcement of strike action and Unite's non-recommendation of the offer. He felt betrayed by Simpson and withdrew BA's offer.
On Friday night, Brendan Barber of the TUC asked him to resubmit BA's offer if the strikes were called off. He agreed to this but no offer to call off the strikes was made.
ACAS asked him to attend a meeting with Unite on Sunday, so he reluctantly went with Tony McCarthy, the director of people & organisational effectiveness. Nobody from Unite turned up.
There are 949 cabin crew volunteers and he expects a 1,000 soon. More training courses will be held.
Some 21 or 22 wet-lease planes will be available.
A limited number of 747s will be in service. All 777s will be in service. (This is why all of LGW's long-haul flights will operate.)
He has every intention of toughing out this dispute.