DLH didn't seem too bothered what happened to BMI when it was in their stable? Neither did VC.
Seems the same goes for the T's & C's of Lufthansa Italia? Are they on the same benefits and pay package as DLH? Nope, didn't think so.
Studi advocates the type of IA that saw the death of Alitalia, another case of 'who would buy that???'. Intense IA saw that company, in a country reknowned for its vicious use of IA to ensure untenable wages, deliberately recind its AOC, declare itself bankrupt and re-issue a joint Alitalia/Air One AOC with new contracts. All those that wanted a job and were wanted by the company (exclude Union officials and anyone vocal against the company) had to sign a new contract. Alitalia Air One reborn. Another victory for the 'they would never take us on' brigade. I also seem to remember, taxying through Vienna one morning, thinking that no-one in their right mind would by such a diverse fleet as Austrian Arrows, saddled as they were with a massive debt. Up popped LH , bought them and stripped the fleets.
Germany has the dubious, lucky honour of being the financial driver behind Europe. It does have a good export economy that drives a high standard of living. It hasn't had a useless Chancellor who has raped personal, private pensions over the past decade forcing companies into massive corporate debt due to over taxed pension funds being driven into the red. Unfair, over riding taxes levied against Airlines under a very flimsy 'green' umbrella has seen UK LH traffic driven over to the continent, into the arms of DLH, AF, KLM as savvy passengers, especially premium, avoid extortionate APD.
The scenario in the UK is different to that of Germany of that there is no doubt, but to advocate another Union into pushing for IA under the guise of looking to protect your own ass into the future is a little rich. Look at the T's & C's in Lufthansa Italia and Austrian Arrows and see if they meet your exacting standards before trying to throw other pilots to the wolves.
We see this from different perspectives. DLH has done well to keep themselves where they are but the economics behind DLH and BA are wildly different. IAG has the ability to transfer slots between subsiduarys. If BA Express were to get a grounding then they have the startup slots and terminal capacity to get going. If they are brought onto the Master seniority list under BA then, and only then, does our Scope agreement apply. The ability to 'start up' BA Express in any other for is then severly curtailed by lack of Terminal Space, lack of route structure and lack of Slots. Whilst not impossible it would make starting up another subsiduary company very difficult and costly.
This is NOT about IA, striking etc. This is about how best to integarte BMI into BA and adhere to TUPE to ensure that neither BMI or BA pilots are disadvantaged. Always remeber that TUPE applies to both companies.
As to the bullet point Q&A from the BACC being 'one sided' what do you expect? They are there to answer the queries and worries from BA pilots, not BMI pilots. I would be very surprised if the BMICC hasn't produced something very similar for their members. The 90 day consultation period for TUPE only begins once it has been agreed that BMI is to be integrated. Therefore the decision rests purely with the BA pilots as to whether they are prepared to accept productivity changes to achieve this as the company is demanding.
Once that agreement is in (5-1 in favour as a rough straw poll) then the TUPE chanllenges rear their heads. At the moment the junior pilots who would be most affexted by the nature of the merger, especially with repect to seniority, are being asked to vote on something that they, and the CC, have no firm ideas on. Only speculation. In this respect it is a leap into the dark and therefore takes alot of discussion.
Personally I think the integration can only be a good thing in the long run. Both for BA and for the future securities of the BMI pilots. BA has alot of cash for future fleets and, with time and space, the future growth could bring the possibilty of a return of terms and conditions. Hopeful? Possibly but at least we will be there to try it and not withering on a dying SH vine.