tristar500
17th Dec 2006, 18:51
BA has suffered a night of delays with things tipped to get gradually worse as Christmas approaches.
All down to the threat of job losses expected, when BAConnect moves over to flybe.com.
Ground loading / Ramp services turned up for work as normal BUT overtime shifts were not covered. 9 guys on the ramp to cover a Sunday operation (to cover unloading-onloading of baggage, GPUs, nosewheel chalks, toilet servicing, pushbacks, airstarts etc...) which was nonstop and most flights overbooked with the Christmas build-up.
Overtime is required (has been for years) to get the operation running as close to normal as possible with up to 10 overtime shifts - on each shift - required to do this. Today, and who knows, from now on the guys have said that enough is enough. They fear for their jobs, and like the rest of the ground operational staff in the regions, have been told nothing officially about their futures - although from what we have been told, things dont look good at all. The loaders have done nothing wrong - overtime is optional. The management have refused to deal with this ongoing issue of 'understaffing' and rely on overtime to get by.
Tonight in EDI the Duty Manager was out trying to load/unload aircraft. Serious delays were/are being incurred with up to 2-3 hours wait. Pax in the terminal have been waiting for over an hour to get their baggage from some flights.
A rumour that a handling company had been asked to help out didnt go down well and may well have inflamed the situation somewhat.
This week will tell if the overtime ban continues... Merry Christmas Willie!
PS - The Cabin Crew at Compass Centre really love you too :ok:
All down to the threat of job losses expected, when BAConnect moves over to flybe.com.
Ground loading / Ramp services turned up for work as normal BUT overtime shifts were not covered. 9 guys on the ramp to cover a Sunday operation (to cover unloading-onloading of baggage, GPUs, nosewheel chalks, toilet servicing, pushbacks, airstarts etc...) which was nonstop and most flights overbooked with the Christmas build-up.
Overtime is required (has been for years) to get the operation running as close to normal as possible with up to 10 overtime shifts - on each shift - required to do this. Today, and who knows, from now on the guys have said that enough is enough. They fear for their jobs, and like the rest of the ground operational staff in the regions, have been told nothing officially about their futures - although from what we have been told, things dont look good at all. The loaders have done nothing wrong - overtime is optional. The management have refused to deal with this ongoing issue of 'understaffing' and rely on overtime to get by.
Tonight in EDI the Duty Manager was out trying to load/unload aircraft. Serious delays were/are being incurred with up to 2-3 hours wait. Pax in the terminal have been waiting for over an hour to get their baggage from some flights.
A rumour that a handling company had been asked to help out didnt go down well and may well have inflamed the situation somewhat.
This week will tell if the overtime ban continues... Merry Christmas Willie!
PS - The Cabin Crew at Compass Centre really love you too :ok: