From Duncan himself:
Different Dispute but same old “Dirty tricks”
Firstly forgive the silence since our deeply satisfying ballot result was announced. As you would expect things have not been altogether quiet behind the scenes.
We can now need to update you on progress so far.
As far as British Airways being interested in reaching a solution, absolutely nothing to report. They have made no contact with Unite whatsoever, at any level. However, as you would probably also expect their energies would appear to have been expended elsewhere, in a typically negative fashion.
Once again British Airways leadership have tried to intimidate people to get their own way, this time it was not just cabin crew! It was the independent scrutineers that conducted our ballot. As always with a seemingly limitless appetite and budget for “union busting” they have used their considerable financial muscle and resources to try and bully the ERS into not publishing the result, by claiming for the third time, procedural errors within the ballot process, to this end they have failed and the result was published.
Though British airways did not write to `Unite directly, we were copied in on their letter. It appears they will go to any lengths to prevent the world knowing what their own staff really feel, anything apart from actually reaching a deal that would settle the dispute.
Why?
Because that does not give them what they are really after - settling the dispute would mean their worst case scenario, BASSA could survive if that was to happen and regroup and live to fight another day.
They would instead prefer to wipe BASSA off the face of the earth, that has always been their real aim since Day 1, and replace them with somebody a little more compliant, a little more “management friendly” that will share their aims and not put the rights of its members before the need for ever bigger profits and who better than their new “best friends” the good old PCCC to fulfill this role. It is no coincidence that only this week, they were sponsored for recognition as a “trade union” with the Government Certification Officer.
It is our responsibility to ensure that you as our members are given the best advice and so with this in mind Unite has sought written Queen’s Council advice on our next step, as soon as we have this Unite will update you. That could be as soon as later today.
There is no need for concern but we have a responsibility to be prudent.