BOAC pilot strike 1960’s

[vctenderness]

I keep reading in the press that the recent BA pilots strike was the first in its 100 year history.

Well I joined BOAC in the very early 1970’s and remember being told stories of the pilots striking worldwide and therefore being thrown out of hotels and having to make their own way back to the U.K.

Can anyone shed light on this?

[scotbill]

BOAC strike was in 1969. I have a picture of a row of VC10s and a 707 parked by the perimeter road at the Engineering Base but can't remember how to upload it!

[ZFT]

BOAC strike was in 1969. I have a picture of a row of VC10s and a 707 parked by the perimeter road at the Engineering Base but can't remember how to upload it!

I recall the B747s being used for spare engines to support the likes of PanAm and TWA during this strike and weren't the 747s the root cause?

[blind pew]

Was the balpa rep and there was a refusal to fly the 747 for more than a year until a widebody rate was agreed. Apparently BOAC made more money by leasing the engines out than they could operating the aircraft. They had massive concrete blocks hanging from the pylons to stop the wings warping.
BEA was due to go on strike June 72 but the strike was cancelled after papa India went in Saturday b4 Monday walk out.

[scotbill]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1694x730/boacstrike69_acee2f5773f411ca73a8c238fc0e83ba54439db4.jpg
Cracked it ! BOAC strike 1969

[Asturias56]

Hmm - wonder if that was the strike that had Norman Tebbit when he was BALPA rep on the picket line?

Back in the 70's 80's one of the Welsh Trade Union leaders had an offer of £1500 out (and that was SERIOUS Money then) for a copy of picture he'd had (and then thrown away) of NT as one of the workers Vanguard.............................

[Warmtoast]

I keep reading in the press that the recent BA pilots strike was the first in its 100 year history

BOAC's predecessor Imperial Airways had its first in 1924
See here:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2XnCDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT308&lpg=PT308&dq=BOAC+strike+in+1969&source=bl&ots=xgWElMwtpw&sig=ACfU3U2E-NlXua42gwMn7zquoZfUXGWS1w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih3ZjxnZDlAhXOesAKHVFuAAUQ6AEwDXoECAkQAQ#v=onepag e&q=BOAC%20strike%20in%201969&f=false

[blind pew]

Long time ago but you are right..I was on afternoon standby whilst my mate..p2 in Papa India was on the early one. My wife was nursing at Wexham park when they were put on alert for multiple casualties and she phoned me incase I had gone in early, which I often did as I was enthralled at finally being a pirate. The day before I had witnessed Key having a massive argument in thr crew room which frightened me. Thought this bloke is a nutter and god help me if I have to fly with him. There were a few and there are many stories about that "Atlantic barons". We had a little jock who was a sergeant pilot, he had been posted to heathrow as most of the Glasgow copilots had refused to fly with him. After staines he bullied me so I asked rosters to take me off the next days flying as it was dangerous. Result was a massive humiliating rollocking in the crew room from the duty manager.
thankfully times have changed.

[Cornish Jack]

Asturias 56 - Yes! Interesting, given his subsequent political career and attitudes to 'Unions', !

[vctenderness]

It’s not that unusual. I have a friend who was a staunch cabin crew trade unionist. She went on to become a Tory party candidate for Parliament and ended up as a Conservative MEP.

[cjhants]

Scotbill - still the greatest airline livery IMO.

[India Four Two]

I agree. A great livery, even on the 707. The picture looks very futuristic until you spot the green Ford Popular/Prefect!

[Mike6567]

I keep reading in the press that the recent BA pilots strike was the first in its 100 year history.

Well I joined BOAC in the very early 1970’s and remember being told stories of the pilots striking worldwide and therefore being thrown out of hotels and having to make their own way back to the U.K.

Can anyone shed light on this?
The strike started 16 June 1968

[Webby737]

It’s not that unusual. I have a friend who was a staunch cabin crew trade unionist. She went on to become a Tory party candidate for Parliament and ended up as a Conservative MEP.
I think I might have met her in Brussels about 12 - 13 years ago, ex BA, she reminded me a bit of Margaret Thatcher.

[farefield]

Shame about the poor woman who's face planted on the right.

[toratoratora]

Scotbill - still the greatest airline livery IMO.


None better, before or since.
Pure class.

( I remember my Dad being in the strike! )