The news article just forwarded to me by a friend who left BASSA 3 months ago but still has access to the BASSA forum and got sent a ballot paper.
DISPUTE FIGURES
Some of you have expressed disappointment at the low turnout for the recent ballot. We think the following figures may restore your faith, particularly as BA continue to tell blatant untruths claiming most crew worked normally during the recent disputes.
As of June 2010, the total number of BA crew is or was estimated at 13,300 (made up as follows ~ re-recruited temps approx 300 (non-union); ICC crew 690, Gatwick 1220, Heathrow 11,090).
If you take away from the above total Gatwick, where sadly only about 50 brave souls supported the dispute, the ICCs and temps, plus non-union at LHR (est 900) and finally the long term sick, plus those on maternity leave (both of these total an average of 700) you are left with a figure of LHR crew in UNITE of approx 9500.
This 9500 is the total number at LHR who are in UNITE and were not off long term, and would have been asked, and expected, to support the dispute.
As of a few days ago, the actual crew members who have claimed strike pay for at least one day - and up to 22 days - now stands at a fully-authenticated 6,240 (there is a further full in-tray to process, and claims continue arriving). That means nearly 70% of those eligible at LHR withdrew their labour, supported their union and refused to back BA despite the threats and intimidation.
We believe that once every application is processed this figure will be nearer to 7000, and every one of these have lost their staff travel. That equates to 74% or nearly three quarters.
This also means the maximum UNITE members who crossed a picket line is 2500.
Perhaps Mr. Walsh would like to rethink his comments about how “most crew worked normally”. It is little wonder no one takes him seriously any more and why his support at Waterside is declining. Every time one of his claims is proved to be nothing more than a falsehood his integrity suffers accordingly. The list of crew who have been paid strike pay is there for anyone to see.
(Finally if you were on strike and have not submitted a claim please do so asap if only so we can get a precise figure).
The
fact is the only people who know the exact numbers of people who went on strike is BA, BASSA and UNITE do not have a clue, the admin staff at UNITE are snowed under with trying to sort out strike pay, and I am told by someone within UNITE that the office looks like "a bomb has hit it" (their words not mine)
Taking Duncan Holley's figures above
if you believe them then it clearly shows that 46.91% of crew have gone on strike and supports BAs claim that over 50% have worked normally.
Now since I got back to work, the numbers I have been hearing is that 4600-5000 crew have been on strike, this from numerous sources within management who have no reason to lie to me
one even admitted that the number was more than BA planned for.
The numbers above tend to fit if you look at them in relation with total claims for the 5 strike periods.
Lastly
now stands at a fully-authenticated 6,240
you need to ask the question (BASSA member or not), for which I am sure you will not get an answer; Who has authenticated the numbers???