A MESSAGE FROM YOUR REPS
Firstly apologies that we are currently not covering the office.
BA are refusing derostering and we have been trying to cover it with reps
on days off. This is now proving impossible. Most reps are now flying, or
trying to grab a couple of days off after the hectic last few days. As a
result the only cover we can offer for at least the next few days are the
emergency mobile nos. for EF and WW. We would ask that you restrict calls
to urgent, or emergency only, as these phones are being covered by reps
who are on days off, MBT or leave. Hopefully things will return to a
degree of normality soon, but in the meantime those of you visiting the
office for help or advise will experience a little taste of life without
BASSA should BA succeed in their ambition of neutralising us.
Turning to the issue of strike breakers we would like to
fully endorse the views of Duncan, our branch secretary. Whilst we accept
that bullying and intimidation forced some of our newer crew into work,
that is not an excuse for our senior crew. What has saddened us is that
some of these individuals have requested our help recently over roster and
sickness issues. We have had our help and guidance thrown back in our face
by these very same crew who have ignored the strike call and gone into
work. We have also been shocked by 2 other instances that we know of. In
one a senior crew member on EF went to work on OT during the dispute, and
one other main crew sold back her leave so she could work over the 3 and 4
days. In a workforce of 12000 there will always be pariahs!!
In another verified more lighthearted story we had a stwdss selected from
standby on EF who, on arriving at the ops desk, was not recognised. That
is until she removed her dark glasses - and wig!! She must have been
really proud in what she was doing. We wonder if she took it off during
the service, and then popped it back on whilst changing into civvies on
arrival back in LHR. The saddest thing is in all of this when Mr. Walsh
and Mr. Francis move on they will have left a legacy of destroyed CRM.
Crew against crew, cabin crew against pilots, and even pilots against
pilots. Perhaps it looks good on their CV. Probably it doesn't!
Many crew have been asking us if there is any truth in the rumour that the
strike breakers will be first on to any New Fleet. Obviously with no
meetings this is currently just a rumour. "Honest" Bill is on record as
saying no one will be forced onto New Fleet. With his track record since
arriving as head of IFCE, expect postings in weeks!
All we will say is whilst we remain as reps, no one who stayed with us and
obeyed the Unite call to strike will ever be forced onto any New Fleet!
Turning to your concerns on the issues of pay deductions and staff travel,
we are still waiting for a formal response from the legal side of Unite,
as to what challenge they will mount. In the meantime it is worth
forwarding your payslip with the claim form so any strike pay can be
actioned. Duncan gave the address and details in his message.
If you are unsure how many days pay BA have deducted, divide your basic
pay figure at the bottom of your payslip by 365. Then divide this figure
into your loss of earning total shown on the payslip, and it will give you
the days deducted. For part-time crew BA have decided for the purposes of
removing money they will treat you as full-time crew! So for 50% crew
double your basic salary and then use the same formulae, and for 75% crew
divide the basic by 3, then multiply by 4, and again use the same
formulae. This is not about the wrongs of taking salary when you are on
days off, MBT, leave etc, or part time being treated as full time. The
lawyers will deal with those points. This is just to establish how many
days you have had deducted so you can submit your claim form.
You will be aware of the additional funds of 700K raised by the Executive
Counsel. Our view and confirmed by your feedback is that these funds
should be used asap to help those amongst us suffering hardship following
BAs salary deductions. Ideas are being floated as to what form this could
take, but we hope to have some positive news within days.
So finally a big thank you to all of you. We are only as strong as our
membership - and so right now we feel very very strong! All of us feel
proud to represent such wonderful people.
Happy Easter and, for a few days anyway, go in peace.
Your Reps
Doesn't sound like all is well in the Bassa camp then?
