Latest Unite/BASSA Missive
So what's going to happen now?
One question we were continually asked at Bedfont and Gatwick was "What do you think will happen now"? The answer is: only one individual really knows and it's no secret who that is. The Easter break will be a time for reflection for everyone but for one person, Willie Walsh, his next move is crucial. If he continues along his dogmatic path he has so far followed, i.e. the dismantling of this proud company and its cabin crew work force,then that will be met with greater determination. If however he now realises that confrontation is not the best way to go forward and that your Union will not be neutralised then there is some hope still that a way can be found out of this mess. The joint General Secretaries of Unite will eagerly be waiting and watching for his next move. The spotlight is well and truly on him.
One point that was also continually made was how resolute you all felt and how, if there was a need, you would all want a longer strike period next time. Most members I spoke to were even more determined than ever to see this through now to the bitter end should there be a need.
Meanwhile, over the forthcoming lull it will be a good time for Unite lawyers to pursue the legality of the staff travel withdrawal and the deduction of extra days pay. Both issues are complex and probably without precedence. I know many of you want quick action on this and some have even considered seeking private legal opinion. No problem with that but obviously we do not want you spending your own money and AMICUS believe this expense should be picked up by Unite. We will update as soon as we get any news, but an element of patience maybe needed. Lawyers never hurry!
Obviously AMICUS is finding it hard to function at present - with no de-rostering facilities except for reps attending members' disciplinaries it is almost impossible for us to provide a service. BA will have all the reps flying or doing return to work courses, SEP etc so please bear with us as we try and cope using just a skeleton staff. That phone that is not answered or "e mail" that is not replied to is because there simply is no one there.
While on the subject of the reps, We would like to thank them all for their superb efforts over the last fortnight. Their dedication, hard work and cheerfulness has been truly inspirational and those of you that went to either picket will have seen first hand how tirelessly they worked and the amount of organisation that was required.
The whole Strike experience has already been written about and the resulting emotion will remain with us. forever. The level of support you showed was so uplifting, the camaraderie was special and heart warming. We will never forget that open decked bus yesterday at Bedfont, crammed to the rafters with smiling faces and billowing flags, everyone completely impervious as the rain lashed down. It made
us remember that the best thing about this job is always the crew. To everyone who helped out, whether it was serving tea, directing the madhouse that was the car park or those who just sang and danced on the picket line we would like to say, you were all wonderful. The stories that will surely flow from the whole experience will soon become legendary. Someone said yesterday, if I could just fly with everyone who picketed this job would be truly great again.
Some of you will be going back to work today and that will not be easy as you will be mixing with people who chose or indeed, perhaps I should say, were intimidated to work. Please all of you be professional and careful even though the emotions are bound to be running high. Although we would have wanted all members whichever way they voted, to have withdrawn their labour, everyone handles "pressure" differently. Some of the younger ones will have been totally new to the whole business of striking and the bullying and threatening attitude shown by BA must have made it very hard to stand up and be counted. We hope if there is a next time these people can take comfort that all those who did participate in industrial action are still alive and well and very proud of themselves and that perhaps it might be better to join them.
However what does leave a nasty taste in many mouths are the more senior members who went to work. Most if not all of these people have enjoyed many years working for BA earning a reasonable wage with good terms and conditions all obtained and protected by your union To go on strike was a very democratically taken decision and for them to suddenly turn their backs on their union and colleagues is a very, for the want of a better word, shameful way to behave. Most will regret their actions if they haven't already.
As for the people from outside the cabin crew community, especially our flight deck colleagues, who chose to get involved in a dispute that was none of their business, well quite frankly you are beneath contempt. Those pilots who took "Willie's shilling" have set back Flight Deck/Cabin Crew relationships decades and quite frankly those that sat back and did nothing to stop this disgraceful behaviour are almost equally guilty. One of the saddest things was meeting some pilots both current and retired, who were aghast at the actions of both their colleagues and their union. I know there are some good guys and lasses out there in F/D land, who are appalled at what has happened but you simply cannot be surprised that right now the cabin crew who went on strike do feel bitter and bruised.
With the whole world watching and at a time when the trade union movement and worker's rights are under threat we sincerely hope the actions of these strike breakers do not come back to haunt them.
On a more practical level the forms to claim back your GBP30 strike pay can now be downloaded from the website. If you have no access you canwrite to Nikki Everley at Unite House, 99 New Rd, Harlington, UB3 5BQ or request a form via e [email protected]
So, will Willie take this opportunity to look for a settlement?
Unfortunately the gap between us is now wider than it was a fortnight ago with the removal of staff travel and draconian deductions in strikers' pay. The ball is firmly in his court. If this dispute is still about cost savings then we can still talk and negotiate our way through this minefield - but if it is - as we think and is being reported in the media - about destroying the union's ability to represent and resist imposition, then he will find the Picket spirit more defiant and more united than ever. (Indeed, it was a shame he could not have heard some of those chants on the picket lines.)
During tough times it is even more important to support not only yourselves and your colleagues but also your union and reps. We are all in this together.
Have a Happy Easter - and look after yourself.
My Bold it would appear whilst they are urging their members to behave professionally on board, it does'nt stop them from setting up Volunteer Pilots and Non striking senior CC as scapegoats and legitimate targets for abuse.