I notice there have been some rumblings on the forum about you all being left in the dark and there is no new news being posted. There is a reason for this - namely there is no news to give. The last 6 days have been spent tidying up Bedfont, returning all the hire equipment etc and representing the many suspended crew who are now going through their disciplinaries as well as picking up new suspensions from incidents that have taken place since we went back to work. The reps that are not flying are flat out on these cases, some of which can take the best part of a day. Silence does not mean nothing is happening.
However most of the reps are going to UNITE HOUSE in Holborn tomorrow for a pensions brief (the only thing BA would deroster us for) and afterwards there is a meeting planned with Tony Woodley and Len McLuskey to decide our next moves.
Hopefully we will also get an update from UNITE legal re the staff travel and pay deductions (please note BA have, since the payslips were published, in some cases paid more money directly into some strikers bank account after being challenged). Please be patient on this. It is being looked at but you can’t hurry a lawyer.
We are very aware that Walsh is still blundering full steam ahead with recruitment, and volunteers are still flying and being trained. We will obviously take all this into consideration when briefing Tony and Len and will influence what steps will now be needed to force a halt to BA plans. In other words we realise the gloves are off.
It is now also obvious this issue is not going to be over in the first round and could end up "going the distance" so although it may seem frustrating at present that over the last 6 days things have gone quiet - it was always going to be thus as our pledge not to strike over the Easter break dictated - there is much water to flow under the bridge and with it a lot of serious planning. It seems we must dig the ditches a little deeper and plan for the long haul.
It must be even more apparent to you all now that this dispute was never really about saving money or crew off aircraft - if it was it would have been settled by now. No, this dispute is about completely doing away with your union and with it your terms and conditions. The stakes are massive now - Walsh always wanted it that way. He went looking for war and with the stakes being so massive we had no choice but to vigorously resist. Even losing staff travel - as draconian as we know that is to a lot of you - will pale into insignificance when you realise his wider plans.
So, keep the faith and have heart. BASSA have not been idle since the last red and white flag was lowered last Tuesday amid the chaos of the rain and the open top buses (not to mention the muddy field). Plans for an even better more comfortable Bedfont are being made and maybe next time we will have a baked potato stall with salad to give you alternative dining options. You see we do listen!
The spirit of Bedfont has not gone...... it is still burning brightly - it has merely gone through a short tunnel on its long journey.
The reps who have flown have been greatly encouraged by the response of all the crew who are saying "if that is what Walsh wants - then bring it on because I will not be browbeaten, bullied or blackmailed into giving up something I care for and which I am entitled to fight for".
Please do not be disappointed if there is no immediate announcement tomorrow evening as the meeting could go on late into the night, but rest assured your views and feelings will be relayed to the powers to be with due passion and forthrightness by your BASSA reps.
Regards to all - Duncan
PS Have typed this directly into the news page and not spell-checked or had it proof read so please excuse, just this once, any errors.
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