Reading through the last few posts made by the usual suspects, it is clear that these pilots really do not know or understand how the cabin crew dispute ran. Where there are gaps in how they think BASSA did this or did not, they make it up. Even though on several pages before I said that BASSA had offered one person off of the aircraft and a role of Premium Purser for a working CSD, Wirbelstrum and others still peddle their nonsense version of events, heavily warped to show themselves in the best possible light.
The truth is that BA's pilots did not have the stomach for a fight with Walsh, so soon after getting a bloody nose over OpenSkies. He had put them in their place and taught them a lesson. So they rolled over, negotiated a 'sweet heart' deal with a nod and a wink, that if there is any trouble with the cabin crew, they will step in and help Walsh out. This is exactly how their actions played out. Why else would one of their reps take such a high profile position in assisting BA to meet its ends? They were given a pot of £13m worth of share options redeemable next year, plus were paid £126 per flying hour to act as strikebreaking cabin crew.
The negotiated settlement was a victory because the cabin crew dispute was not about making cost savings, it was about destroying the cabin crew union. That is why such huge resources, the Lieden Room, using strike breakers and all manner of methods were implemented to break BASSA. Well it didn't happen. Instead of there being a quick kill, against Walsh's expectations and calculations, the dispute escalated and ran on for nearly two years. Now the apologists state that Mixed Fleet savings will be worth it, but so much damage is being made to the brand with these inexperienced crew, they have all had to go in for re-training to stem the complaints. On top of this BA have had to put one extra crewmember onboard to supervise and monitor standards.
In order for there to be a lasting settlement, the problem had to be removed. It wasn't until the more emollient Keith Willaims was appointed CEO, that an end could be brought to the dispute. That says it all really. At BA like at Iberia now, Walsh painted himself into a corner making statements like he would never give back staff travel. The problems at Iberia will also not be resolved until he goes.
Last edited by Count Niemantznarr; 10th Jan 2013 at 17:27.