British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)

[Wirbelsturm]

Whilst many on here have ripped apart BA's proposals and called them scandalous thus leading to a very damaging series of IA very few of the Pro BASSA supporters have come forward with a way that the proportional cost savings may be achieved under BASSA.

The whole of this dispute centres over imposition. BASSA seem to have lost sight of that and are now squabbling over ST and re-instatement. The Unite leadership have all but confirmed that a deal could be reached if the local branch weren't being so hard headed over tertiary matters. Little wonder really when DH claims that he was victimised for not turning up to work whilst quite happy to plan IA for BASSA. A claim that took an employment tribunal milliseconds to throw out.

The company required proportional savings from ALL departments. Not just IFcE, all departments. From the outset the company stated that there would be no 'broad brush' approach and each departments cost savings requirements would be set according to the overheads and savings available. Thus, through specific negotiations, the flight crew, the engineers, the loaders, the ramp crew, the managers, the ground staff, IT, checkin, telephone operators etc. etc. etc. agreed contractural changes, productivity enhancements and, in some departments, permanent pay cuts. One Union failed to achieve those negotiations. They were given longer, past the deadline required by BA to compile the business plan. Still they failed. The Union, after refusing to comply with confidentiality agreements claimed that BA was lying, PWC were in their pockets and that the whole thing was a scam to target the Cabin Crew.

BASSA produced a list of savings that was proven to be worth less than half of its face value and was only to be put in place for two years then everything was to be paid back with interest. Temporary solutions to temporary problems was the BASSA line.

BA explained that this was not what was needed and the business needed permanent cost savings to survive the long term. No dice said BASSA, 'you're lying to us'. Then we have the 'great sorrow to cause disturbance to our customers' cheering and hollering sessions, the BASSA 'no negotiation with BA' vote and a long series of petty vindictive strikes aimed at ousting Willie Walsh and re-instating a bunch of employees who went through the Union sanctioned disciplinary system.

So, that's the precises, what would BASSA offer that would achieve the required savings that imposition brought? What would BASSA offer that would bring the savings, productivity increases and efficiencies that NF will bring?

It is all very well to shoot down the proposals from BA but, in a debate, those arguments against need to be based in fact, backed up with counter proposals. Something we, as employees, have never seen nor heard from BASSA.

What are BASSAs proposals to bring them in line with all of the other emloyees at BA. Because I feel that we, as employees fighting to protect our jobs from a suicidal Union, have a right to know.