BAA strike threat.
More bang for your buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: land of the clanger
Age: 82
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
possible strike action
"Thousands of workers at British airports including Gatwick and Heathrow are to vote on strike action in the next few weeks"
Full story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7109535.stm
Full story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7109535.stm
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: london
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not surprised... I used to work for (B) ritish (A) r**holes (A) ssociation and none of the staff are happy. The continued expansion of the the shopping centres that are LHR & LGW always seems to be put before the needs of staff and airport users. They should start a new slogan for WDF buy and don't fly!
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why?
This will affect new hires only not existing staff.
It sounds more like the staff are fed up with having to work Christmas and New year every year because of the stoopid shift patterns they employ.
IMHO, unions should be banned.
It sounds more like the staff are fed up with having to work Christmas and New year every year because of the stoopid shift patterns they employ.
IMHO, unions should be banned.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sussex
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BAA were asked - Will this quarantee the Final Salary Scheme for existing staff?
Answer - No.
Company now claiming fund is in the red, however this is due to them not making any contributions for 8 years!
Add this to the break up we are all expecting, cuts being made in the wrong departments (Plan, Do, Review - They planned it, did it, now they have reviewed it and thought "Oh s***").
Add that to the new Recruitment and Training Centre at STN, which is obviously there to replace the Management Training Centre at Pease Pottage for when LGW is sold off...
Well done to the Board, keep up the denials!
LCY - We welcome you!
Answer - No.
Company now claiming fund is in the red, however this is due to them not making any contributions for 8 years!
Add this to the break up we are all expecting, cuts being made in the wrong departments (Plan, Do, Review - They planned it, did it, now they have reviewed it and thought "Oh s***").
Add that to the new Recruitment and Training Centre at STN, which is obviously there to replace the Management Training Centre at Pease Pottage for when LGW is sold off...
Well done to the Board, keep up the denials!
LCY - We welcome you!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sussex
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flintstone - The safest airports are the ones where the Fire and Rescue have nothing to do! Better than having burning wrecks everywhere just so they are busy.
They train as much as they have to to save your burning trousers.
Rumour has it the Boss is looking at giving them other departments jobs just to "Keep them busy". God help us and your burning pants...
They train as much as they have to to save your burning trousers.
Rumour has it the Boss is looking at giving them other departments jobs just to "Keep them busy". God help us and your burning pants...
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Scotland
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a passenger who is travelling over the new year period, how concerned should I be about this?
I am due to fly the follwing:
GLA-LTN-27/12
LGW-HAM 28/12
HAM-LTN 04/01 (though this route wouldn't be affected anyway I would imagine)
STN-EDI 05/01
Should I think about switching to the LTN-HAM flight on 27/12 insted?
I can't think of a reasonably priced route from Scotland to London that doesn't involve at least one BAA airport (forget DND-LCY on my budget!). Should I look into the train/bus insted?
I'm Genuinely worried about my plans now. I really don't want to think about cancelling my trip.
I am due to fly the follwing:
GLA-LTN-27/12
LGW-HAM 28/12
HAM-LTN 04/01 (though this route wouldn't be affected anyway I would imagine)
STN-EDI 05/01
Should I think about switching to the LTN-HAM flight on 27/12 insted?
I can't think of a reasonably priced route from Scotland to London that doesn't involve at least one BAA airport (forget DND-LCY on my budget!). Should I look into the train/bus insted?
I'm Genuinely worried about my plans now. I really don't want to think about cancelling my trip.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Scotland
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for that, but MAN-HAM-MAN is coming out at over £230 return, which is more than double of what I have already paid for all 4 of the flights I previously listed and that price, unfortunatly, isn't possible for me right now.
I'll just have to hope this strike doesn't go ahead, or get a coach to London and book myself on the LTN-HAM flight as above.
Of course if I do that now and the strike doesn't go ahead it'll have been a waste of money for me, leave it any later and the flight and coach price will rocket.
I'll just have to hope this strike doesn't go ahead, or get a coach to London and book myself on the LTN-HAM flight as above.
Of course if I do that now and the strike doesn't go ahead it'll have been a waste of money for me, leave it any later and the flight and coach price will rocket.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sussex
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fishy - Who knows how the ballot will turn out with many thousands of staff in many departments and levels of management involved. We have been here before over pay and we never ended up in the cold standing around a burning oil drum...
Always a first time though, moral has fallen through the floor, even in the departments that don't normally get involved in the politics.
I wish you all the best for the trip.
Always a first time though, moral has fallen through the floor, even in the departments that don't normally get involved in the politics.
I wish you all the best for the trip.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Scotland
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank You. I can only hope that they follow the same trend as before, but knowing my luck and because I've been looking forward to this for months it'll probably end up not in my favour.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Scotland
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well the strikes will now happen on the 7th, 14th and 17th January, for 24, 24 and 48 hours respectivly, so I am personally unaffected.
I hope these dates will mean the vast majority of Christmas and New Year travellers will go unaffected.
I hope these dates will mean the vast majority of Christmas and New Year travellers will go unaffected.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Thailand
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BAA Airport staff to strike.
LONDON (Reuters) - Thousands of workers at seven of Britain's busiest airports have voted to strike in a dispute over pensions, their union said on Friday.
The Unite union said its members will walk out next month in protest at the closure to new employees of the final salary-linked pension scheme of airport operator BAA.
Unite's National Aviation Secretary Brendan Gold said the strike could close all seven airports. "There will be huge disruption," he told a news conference.
Union member will stage three strikes: two 24-hour walkouts starting at 0100 EST on January 7 and January 14 and a further 48-hour strike from 0600 GMT on January 17.
The union's members include fire crews, maintenance workers, clerical staff and security staff.
The strike will affect Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.
BAA, owned by Spain's Ferrovial, said it regretted the action and would do all it could to minimize disruption to passengers.
(Reporting by Peter Griffiths; Editing by David Holmes)
That will mean that Virgin's proposed strike might well get lost in the dust cloud!
Good Luck to you all.
The Unite union said its members will walk out next month in protest at the closure to new employees of the final salary-linked pension scheme of airport operator BAA.
Unite's National Aviation Secretary Brendan Gold said the strike could close all seven airports. "There will be huge disruption," he told a news conference.
Union member will stage three strikes: two 24-hour walkouts starting at 0100 EST on January 7 and January 14 and a further 48-hour strike from 0600 GMT on January 17.
The union's members include fire crews, maintenance workers, clerical staff and security staff.
The strike will affect Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.
BAA, owned by Spain's Ferrovial, said it regretted the action and would do all it could to minimize disruption to passengers.
(Reporting by Peter Griffiths; Editing by David Holmes)
That will mean that Virgin's proposed strike might well get lost in the dust cloud!
Good Luck to you all.
niknak
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even the best run pension schemes are finding it hard to accomodate everyone in the present economic environment and very few companies now offer a final salary scheme to new employees.
The BAA's owners and it's Pension Trustees know only too well that there are, with due respect to all the employees within the company, very few jobs within BAA which are so specialised that they can't offer training to new employees.
Consequently they can fill most vacancies by offering a competetive salary and don't need to offer a final salary scheme to new staff.
I can't see what strike action over this particular issue will achieve, other than inconveniencing the customers.
The BAA's owners and it's Pension Trustees know only too well that there are, with due respect to all the employees within the company, very few jobs within BAA which are so specialised that they can't offer training to new employees.
Consequently they can fill most vacancies by offering a competetive salary and don't need to offer a final salary scheme to new staff.
I can't see what strike action over this particular issue will achieve, other than inconveniencing the customers.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hants
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Londonmet
I assume from your post that you are not in in a final salary pension scheme?
Only someone who is not would come out with such tosh! The BAA scheme was healthy enough until they were bought out by a company synonymous with cutting costs and looking for a fast buck in profit.
As for the rudeness or otherwise of BAA staff, as SLF, I have never had the type of problem regarding rudeness you seem to think is so prevalant - maybe if you had a better attitude than
and
- strange that they are always rude where you fly!! It's like saying you have never had a car accident for years but have seen plenty happen around you - don't you think the attitude you give off causes the ill treatment (if it is indeed ill treatment and not the fact that they do not fawn at your feet like you think they should) ?
I assume from your post that you are not in in a final salary pension scheme?
Only someone who is not would come out with such tosh! The BAA scheme was healthy enough until they were bought out by a company synonymous with cutting costs and looking for a fast buck in profit.
As for the rudeness or otherwise of BAA staff, as SLF, I have never had the type of problem regarding rudeness you seem to think is so prevalant - maybe if you had a better attitude than
Does my head in those chumps! Get back to work
Bloody BAA gestapo mini officers
The majority where I fly aren't.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hants
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So LM,
I'm afraid we crossed posts there as I was editing the one above, however, what will you do when your company decides to close your scheme?
One assumes you do not work for BA.
No, I am not one of the 'Gestapo Corporals' as you so arrogantly put them - I'm an ATCO
I'm afraid we crossed posts there as I was editing the one above, however, what will you do when your company decides to close your scheme?
One assumes you do not work for BA.
No, I am not one of the 'Gestapo Corporals' as you so arrogantly put them - I'm an ATCO
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
londonmet
Thats the spirit, give up what you have today and bring on a less prosperous future.
You give your life to work and in some cases your health. A pension is the least a company can offer for that.
You can make money with money and economic cycles are just that. Pensions are a life long investment and should be protected at all costs. That is what the BAA staff are trying to do.
Closing the scheme to new starters is just the first step in winding a scheme up. That is the fear. Obviously a healthy percentage of BAA employees want to stop this happening.
There is enough money out there for everyone, not just the rich at the top.
Thats the spirit, give up what you have today and bring on a less prosperous future.
You give your life to work and in some cases your health. A pension is the least a company can offer for that.
You can make money with money and economic cycles are just that. Pensions are a life long investment and should be protected at all costs. That is what the BAA staff are trying to do.
Closing the scheme to new starters is just the first step in winding a scheme up. That is the fear. Obviously a healthy percentage of BAA employees want to stop this happening.
There is enough money out there for everyone, not just the rich at the top.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Age: 74
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
I am a former BAA employee, though for the past 25 years, I worked out on the airfield, rather than in the Terminal buildings, so was subject to the same Security indignities as everyone else, thank you very much! (Pleased I no longer have to take my shoes off 10 times a day, just to get to and from my office.)
There were for many years 4 unions representing BAA workers - the T&G for Security etc, lately Amicus for the technical grades and the Fire Service, PCS for clerical and lower/middle management and Prospect for middle managers like me. The 3 latter unions had various names over the years, with the T&G being the more traditional 'militant' body. I belonged to the T&G when I was a Security guard and in the late '70s they were always trying to use our numbers to wield political power, fortunately failing (our local convenor was a self-confessed member of the then Militant Tendency).
However, with having 4 unions to deal with, the British Airports Authority (then after privatisation BAA) could always find a way to 'look after' the groups that could actually close an airport, principally the Airport Fire Service. Loss of technicians for a short while, whilst making difficulties behind the scenes wouldn't result in immediate disruption of services. Loss of those Security staff actually in the T&G, might result in longer queues, but with office worker 'volunteers' bolstering the non-union Security personnel a service could be maintained. Thus staff couldn't be persuaded to vote for strike action, becuse even the more intellectually challenged people could see that they'd be on to a loser.
Now, with the merging of the T&G and Amicus into Unite, Brendan Sewell has in my opinion finally achieved his ambition of being able to actually shut an airport by bringing the Fire Service out - the only body who are solid enough to be able to achieve this. At Glasgow recently, the Fire Service was kept going during a strike by using senior officers from the other airports; this time there won't be enough to go round.
Now, is this a just cause? On the face of it, why should an existing worker be concerned about the terms and conditions of any prospective new employee? Well, actually, there is already a problem between T's & C's for staff who joined the Company after 1997, when they changed for the worse. Attempts to harmonise the pre- and post '97 T's & C's were still stalled when I left.
I think that the strike isn't about protecting members who don't even exist yet, but more about the 'thin end of the wedge' and people generally being very dissatisfied with the present senior management since a major shake-up which actually started well before Ferrovial were even on the horizon. The Spanish consortium have really just inherited this situation but it is also fair to say that they expect a better financial performance than BAAplc were achieving, which was lack-lustre to say the least. Otherwise, why would the BAAplc shareholders be so pleased to get rid of their holdings?
The above is just a personal view from a former employee, not much of an axe to grind really, so long as my pension doesn't go down the tubes!
Cheers,
TheOddOne
There were for many years 4 unions representing BAA workers - the T&G for Security etc, lately Amicus for the technical grades and the Fire Service, PCS for clerical and lower/middle management and Prospect for middle managers like me. The 3 latter unions had various names over the years, with the T&G being the more traditional 'militant' body. I belonged to the T&G when I was a Security guard and in the late '70s they were always trying to use our numbers to wield political power, fortunately failing (our local convenor was a self-confessed member of the then Militant Tendency).
However, with having 4 unions to deal with, the British Airports Authority (then after privatisation BAA) could always find a way to 'look after' the groups that could actually close an airport, principally the Airport Fire Service. Loss of technicians for a short while, whilst making difficulties behind the scenes wouldn't result in immediate disruption of services. Loss of those Security staff actually in the T&G, might result in longer queues, but with office worker 'volunteers' bolstering the non-union Security personnel a service could be maintained. Thus staff couldn't be persuaded to vote for strike action, becuse even the more intellectually challenged people could see that they'd be on to a loser.
Now, with the merging of the T&G and Amicus into Unite, Brendan Sewell has in my opinion finally achieved his ambition of being able to actually shut an airport by bringing the Fire Service out - the only body who are solid enough to be able to achieve this. At Glasgow recently, the Fire Service was kept going during a strike by using senior officers from the other airports; this time there won't be enough to go round.
Now, is this a just cause? On the face of it, why should an existing worker be concerned about the terms and conditions of any prospective new employee? Well, actually, there is already a problem between T's & C's for staff who joined the Company after 1997, when they changed for the worse. Attempts to harmonise the pre- and post '97 T's & C's were still stalled when I left.
I think that the strike isn't about protecting members who don't even exist yet, but more about the 'thin end of the wedge' and people generally being very dissatisfied with the present senior management since a major shake-up which actually started well before Ferrovial were even on the horizon. The Spanish consortium have really just inherited this situation but it is also fair to say that they expect a better financial performance than BAAplc were achieving, which was lack-lustre to say the least. Otherwise, why would the BAAplc shareholders be so pleased to get rid of their holdings?
The above is just a personal view from a former employee, not much of an axe to grind really, so long as my pension doesn't go down the tubes!
Cheers,
TheOddOne