This was sent last night from BASSA to its members. Blatant intimidatory lies about TV crews and the press:
Thinking of going to work? Mar 26th, 2010 by admin
It’s all about the numbers.
You need to realize that the current “leadership” of British Airways isn’t interested in you - not one tiny bit. You’re a number. No more and no less.
Yet, for the next four days every single person will become an incredibly valuable number to British Airways.
Why? Because everything that happens in the next few days will be about numbers. Mr. Walsh has staked his reputation on the fact that the correct numbers of crew will report for work over the next four days to man his operation and convince the press that he has won. If he is able to do that, then he will, for all intents and purposes win the day.
BA have now quietly revealed to the press that two thousand crew took part in the first strike action. It would now also appear that the figures issued for reporting for work was inflated by using crew who obviously reported normally for inbound services down route and so were not part of the strike.
If you do report for work during the strike please be aware that British Airways has arranged for television crews and reporters to be stationed inside the crew report centre to film and report live on the numbers of crew who break the strike. This is designed to divide us and used for propaganda purposes against your striking colleagues.
Please be aware that everything will not be as it appears. Sadly some 700 pilot and 340 of our other colleagues have volunteered to be strike breaking cabin crew and will be wearing your uniform. 90 flights have been ‘wet leased” to the following airlines:
Viking airlines
Titan
Jet 2
Euro Atlantic
Astraeus
Iberia
Open skies
Air Finland
It is imperative you believe us when we tell you - this was never about cost saving, it was about breaking you, your agreements and your lawful right to effective union representation in your workplace.
Your union is made up of a handful of cabin crew trying our very best to protect you from what we know is coming just around the corner. We face a determined management that is willing to spend millions of pounds to crush us. You now really need to ask yourself why?
We haven’t got millions of pounds - we only have our effort, our blood, sweat and tears to give to you. We have tried our hardest to warn you about what’s ahead. If people still don’t get it, they will very soon.
We cannot stop you going to work if that’s what you chose to do. It is a free country. We can only ask that you don’t go to work for all our sakes. Please do be aware of the damage you will cause not only to others, but ultimately to yourself and how your actions will be used in the press to give Mr. Walsh a credibility he scarcely deserves.
We may not have the money and resources but we do have you, and with your support we will not lose.
It does not matter if you worked during the first strike. Support us now, before it’s too late!
Please come down to Bedfont. It is your time, and we need you!