BA cabin crew strike ballot!
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BA cabin crew strike ballot!
Having failed to agree with the company, BASSA and CC89 are to ballot their members for industrial action. The reason behind this is the company's insistance that the Jan 2004 pay award be linked with a new sickness policy. Cabin crew sickness is on average 22 days per year, however BA have little compassion for granting any requests for days off, etc...
Currently, many flights are being cancelled or have premium cabins closed due to a shortage of cabin crew - due to high sickness levels, poor morale and the fact that they are only able to train 90 new cabin crew per month; which barely covers the number of crew going on maternity leave!
Currently, many flights are being cancelled or have premium cabins closed due to a shortage of cabin crew - due to high sickness levels, poor morale and the fact that they are only able to train 90 new cabin crew per month; which barely covers the number of crew going on maternity leave!
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due to high sickness levels, poor morale and the fact that they are only able to train 90 new cabin crew per month; which barely covers the number of crew going on maternity leave!
They may have assumed the cabin crew would sign up to the new AMP, and sickness levels would go down. But that was a silly assumption.
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GS Alpha
There may be an element of truth in that, however, the real underlying problems are:
1. the average 22.9 days per year sickness taken by Cabin Crew (source BASSA) with the resultant levels of standby crewing required - Longhaul and Shorthaul.
2. the archaic rostering agreements (esp in shorthaul) which means they will not stay on an aircraft at LHR on arrival to go somewhere else but need to go and rest for at least 90 minutes, and frequently 3+ hours [and getting paid up to £50 each if they reduce below 2 hours!]. This means if they are late they frequently lose subsequent sectors, again requiring extra standby crews. [If you go into the Compass Centre you will see about 100 cabin crew sitting around].
This means their productivity averages 40 flight hours per month in Shorthaul vs 75 for pilot colleagues.
They cannot train up quickly enough, because they have allowed levels to get too low before they started recruitment again.
1. the average 22.9 days per year sickness taken by Cabin Crew (source BASSA) with the resultant levels of standby crewing required - Longhaul and Shorthaul.
2. the archaic rostering agreements (esp in shorthaul) which means they will not stay on an aircraft at LHR on arrival to go somewhere else but need to go and rest for at least 90 minutes, and frequently 3+ hours [and getting paid up to £50 each if they reduce below 2 hours!]. This means if they are late they frequently lose subsequent sectors, again requiring extra standby crews. [If you go into the Compass Centre you will see about 100 cabin crew sitting around].
This means their productivity averages 40 flight hours per month in Shorthaul vs 75 for pilot colleagues.
Two of my last three flights from Manchester (1730) back to Dusseldorf within the last two months have been cancelled . The last I believe due to cabin crew sickness . It was due to depart at 1730 from MAN and was not cancelled until 1850 and we were put on the 1930 flight , fine BUT . It was around eating time , BA wouldn't give any info and I knew that if we went to the restaurant and ordered food the flight would be called , so stayed hungry for the bread roll later . The way for a premium airline (self sold) to win customers , NOT.
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It's worth pointing out that this extremely low productivity coupled with the very high pay many old contract cabin crew are on (still the majority of crew) means that cabin crew are on a higher pay/hour than most shorthaul and longhaul pilots! It takes 2 weeks to train a cabin crew member.
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I totally understand what you are saying TopBunk, and I wish things were not like this. But unless there has suddenly been an unexpected increase in sickness etc (which I do not believe), then the reason for the lack of cabin crew is purely the fault of the managers and planners. They know the system they are working with.
Personally, I think they assumed they would be able to push the cabin crew into signing up to the deal before now and so left the recruitment until the last possible moment. Someone counted their chickens before they had hatched, and that was a mistake. They are so desperate for crew now, that I hear they are taking anyone who gets as far as interview (even though they were rejected at this stage initially).
As for sorting out the inefficiencies within BA, I don't think it is ever going to happen, because we will be bankrupt long before.
Personally, I think they assumed they would be able to push the cabin crew into signing up to the deal before now and so left the recruitment until the last possible moment. Someone counted their chickens before they had hatched, and that was a mistake. They are so desperate for crew now, that I hear they are taking anyone who gets as far as interview (even though they were rejected at this stage initially).
As for sorting out the inefficiencies within BA, I don't think it is ever going to happen, because we will be bankrupt long before.
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I think TopBunk has hit the nail squarely on the head. 40 flight hours per month, due to inefficient turn-rounds, and archaic industrial agreements, mean we deserve to go bankrupt. If it weren't for the LHR slots it might even be Rod's preferred method of dealing with the problem.
I say let them strike - give me a tabard and I'll perform their safety role, and service - I'd even manage a smile which might shock some of our regular passengers.
If you paid me the same as a CSD, I'd be happy with the pay rise.
Rod - if you're reading this, get back to work - and please sort out this f**king mess.
I would love to have a good working relationship with our Cabin Service colleagues - but that doesn't mean I have to agree with the Nanny State that BA provides for them.
BA is talking about lowing the gear on approach 300' lower and saving a hundred grand a year in fuel bills. I say sort out Cabin Services, get rid of CSDs and save several million. Fire Mike Street and Joy Horden and bring the lot back under the umbrella of Flight Operations, save several more million in pointless middle management.
Let the sanctimonious rebukes begin . . .
I say let them strike - give me a tabard and I'll perform their safety role, and service - I'd even manage a smile which might shock some of our regular passengers.
If you paid me the same as a CSD, I'd be happy with the pay rise.
Rod - if you're reading this, get back to work - and please sort out this f**king mess.
I would love to have a good working relationship with our Cabin Service colleagues - but that doesn't mean I have to agree with the Nanny State that BA provides for them.
BA is talking about lowing the gear on approach 300' lower and saving a hundred grand a year in fuel bills. I say sort out Cabin Services, get rid of CSDs and save several million. Fire Mike Street and Joy Horden and bring the lot back under the umbrella of Flight Operations, save several more million in pointless middle management.
Let the sanctimonious rebukes begin . . .
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Lord help 'em, I hope this thread fizzles out before BA's dirty washing is fully aired again...
Meanwhile, I offer a cryptic clue for a money saving scheme to the current or indeed the future BA CEO:
A recent BA 747-400 tech log entry read as follows.... "CSD's office seat worn" ......take note Willy, and learn.
nurj
Meanwhile, I offer a cryptic clue for a money saving scheme to the current or indeed the future BA CEO:
A recent BA 747-400 tech log entry read as follows.... "CSD's office seat worn" ......take note Willy, and learn.
nurj
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BA's productivity levels are renowned for being dire, but has anything changed? No. No frills airlines are coming out way above "established" carriers, like BA, when it comes to profitability and productivity and even customer satisfaction. BUT, my opinion is don't kick the cabin crew and pilots at BA because it is the system that is at fault and the "system" allows them to get away with privileges that ultimately are running the company into the ground.
Just tossing a coin to see whether my flight with BA will be canx because of the crew! Heads or tails?
Just tossing a coin to see whether my flight with BA will be canx because of the crew! Heads or tails?
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What BA really should have done is train up large numbers of CC six months ago, then let the old hags go on strike...sack the lot (selective termination, on a large scale), then hire new faces.
'Tis called....customer satisfaction.
Oh yes, the boys go too, if they create 'problems'.
'Tis called....customer satisfaction.
Oh yes, the boys go too, if they create 'problems'.
Be very carreful when making rash statements about sacking 'old hags' and 'old' contract' cabin crew. You may have a point but......
How many 'old contract' 'high earning' pilots are in BA today??
Plenty!
How many guys and girls out there with their nice new ATPL's who would pay for their type ratings and jump at the chance of working for BA for less than half current rates?
Plenty!
Think about it.
How many 'old contract' 'high earning' pilots are in BA today??
Plenty!
How many guys and girls out there with their nice new ATPL's who would pay for their type ratings and jump at the chance of working for BA for less than half current rates?
Plenty!
Think about it.
Maybe a new CEO might be able to fix the problem long term .....
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Actually, FYI, cabin crew sickness is well under budget....
Many crew actually come in sick because they are too scared to ring in sick.
They have recruited too late into an exodus of crew leaving,going on maternity,retirements and so on....
STOP blaming the cabin crew.
Perhaps if you were down the back of the aircraft with a host of germs,viruses and bacteria floating around , and you were fatigued from your 50-60hour week,you would succumb to something and be off too ?
All this cc bashing is ridiculous, as they who bash really don't know what they are talking about..... grow up.
Many crew actually come in sick because they are too scared to ring in sick.
They have recruited too late into an exodus of crew leaving,going on maternity,retirements and so on....
STOP blaming the cabin crew.
Perhaps if you were down the back of the aircraft with a host of germs,viruses and bacteria floating around , and you were fatigued from your 50-60hour week,you would succumb to something and be off too ?
All this cc bashing is ridiculous, as they who bash really don't know what they are talking about..... grow up.
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CC sickness is well under budget ? Compared to whom or what. That said the whole of the company is still showing very high levels of casual sickness. As someone has stated the BA management seem to cave in on every challenge.
I wonder if Willie Walsh will be able to sort out the mess that we are still in and will get deeper into as T5 approaches.
I wonder if Willie Walsh will be able to sort out the mess that we are still in and will get deeper into as T5 approaches.
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STOP blaming the cabin crew
OK, I can hear you shouting this at your PC screen, BA are to blame for not having a better ROSTARing system.
I'm sorry, but the system at BA is far better than VS or BD, and their sickness levels are far lower - as is their pay.
All this cc bashing is ridiculous, as they who bash really don't know what they are talking about..... grow up.
I'm looking forward to Willy joining us - I'd give up 10% of my pay to get rid of CSDs, have 2 pursers on a LH aircraft, 1 on SH. Maybe then we could compete and have an airline of which we could be proud.
75% customer satisfaction . . . you know why? The CSDs fill in the forms themselves - caught in the act!
I can't tell you how pleased I am to be flying with the new crew who have worked for other airlines - they're a breath of fresh air. Friendly, fun and they appreciate the benefits of working for BA - how long before they believe the BASSA propaganda that 22.9 sick day per year is acceptable?
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and you were fatigued from your 50-60hour week
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Well I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know that the company has backed down and our backdated pay from JAN 04 will be included in our MAR pay packets The issue of EG300 is no longer attached and wil be resolved seperately.
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Well I'm sure you'll be pleased when Willy starts and he takes you luddites on - if he doesn't we won't survive, can't you grasp that?
Benchmarking? Compare yourselves to other airlines - you're paid 50% more, but you don't add 50% to the bottom line.
VS pilots similar pay to BA,
VS cabin crew half BA LH cabin crew.
What about KLM, Air France, Lufty? You're paid nearly double them - and they're not a miserable bunch whingers.
With all your MBT days, perhaps you could put together a business model on how we're supposed to compete.
BA couldn't sign you up to an AMP, as they're short of crew anyway and couldn't aford to weaken the weakest link further.
Go back to the shadows - PPRuNe - something about Pilots Forum in there.
Benchmarking? Compare yourselves to other airlines - you're paid 50% more, but you don't add 50% to the bottom line.
VS pilots similar pay to BA,
VS cabin crew half BA LH cabin crew.
What about KLM, Air France, Lufty? You're paid nearly double them - and they're not a miserable bunch whingers.
With all your MBT days, perhaps you could put together a business model on how we're supposed to compete.
BA couldn't sign you up to an AMP, as they're short of crew anyway and couldn't aford to weaken the weakest link further.
Go back to the shadows - PPRuNe - something about Pilots Forum in there.