BA IR issues
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I think this forum is bad your aggressive blood pressure Carney Matey! I'm not quite sure what you resent in life (apart from everyone on this forum), but hey, no-one is perfect. I remember flying with you once when I worked at BA....the good ol' days of being paid thousands for doing, well, am not quite sure really.....you were the one sucking the lemon, remember?
You'll be pleased to know that some of the easy money I earnt now goes towards your wages while I sit as a passenger.
Safe flying...
You'll be pleased to know that some of the easy money I earnt now goes towards your wages while I sit as a passenger.
Safe flying...
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Nothing aggressive in my posts miche, just calm statement of the facts. The only aggression here is from all the emotional, hysterical types who can't seem to handle the presentation of facts and prefer to make emotive accusations about people despising or resenting other people, or just prefer to post rhetoric and soundbites without ever presenting supporting information. My blood pressure always was, and remains, comfortably low, but I thank you for your concern.
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Tut tut Luoto! Pax can fly with whoever they like so please continue to enjoy your bus journey!
Premium pax that pay premium prices may have slightly higher expectations than yours. Is that ok? After nearly 20 years flying, my colleagues and I, pride ourselves on being just that ... professional. Naturally you have your own valued opinion of BA crew, however, the GPM's, filled out by you - the pax, reflect that they choose to be frequent flyers with BA becasue they like the level of service they receive. You may beg to differ with the millions of pax that fill our planes though?
Premium pax that pay premium prices may have slightly higher expectations than yours. Is that ok? After nearly 20 years flying, my colleagues and I, pride ourselves on being just that ... professional. Naturally you have your own valued opinion of BA crew, however, the GPM's, filled out by you - the pax, reflect that they choose to be frequent flyers with BA becasue they like the level of service they receive. You may beg to differ with the millions of pax that fill our planes though?
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Hi Carnage Matey!
Of course the management is trying to take money from us! Directly, by taking away breakfast allowances at LGW, and indirectly by removing the possibility of promotion for us. I don't want to strike, but I hope that a threat to strike might bring the management team back to the table to take our concerns more seriously and not just tell us that they will be imposed upon us whether we like it or not. I am in this job for the longhaul (ho ho), and I want this airline to be world-class. But it kinda sticks in my throat when our management are being given huge bonuses and I am being asked to tighten my belt.
I don't feel I am overpaid in the slightest. I recently enquired about a job in teaching and was surprised to learn that teachers earn more than me. So do nurses. I am not saying I am more qualified (although I have a degree - I know, my choice to do this job...but a job I KNOW I excel at..), but that lovely BOY IN BLUE mentioned that we are not trained to nurses levels or firemen's standards. And they also do shift work. While this may be true, few jobs expect you to do a day shift on day 1, a night shift on day 2/3, another day shift on day 4 and another night shift on day 5/6. And then expect you to do CPR on someone (yes, I've done that); be prepared and trained enough to fight a fire; console a breaved passenger, take the cheese tray up to the Flight Crew and exchange niceties with them; speak to a foreign passenger in their tongue; and all the while, stay awake, with a smile on your (groomed) face despite the fact that your feet are killing you.
No-one is saying that we are Florence Nightingale, and this is a job a lot of people choose to do because they love the life-style. I am good at my job, I enjoy interacting with my flight-and cabin crew colleagues and passengers alike. I have a brain and earned more temping as a secretary while I awaited the outcome of my interview, but there are not that many people out there that are equipped to do this job as well as I - or many of my lovely, hard-working colleagues are.
So yes, I am going to fight to keep my working conditions from deteriorating.
Of course the management is trying to take money from us! Directly, by taking away breakfast allowances at LGW, and indirectly by removing the possibility of promotion for us. I don't want to strike, but I hope that a threat to strike might bring the management team back to the table to take our concerns more seriously and not just tell us that they will be imposed upon us whether we like it or not. I am in this job for the longhaul (ho ho), and I want this airline to be world-class. But it kinda sticks in my throat when our management are being given huge bonuses and I am being asked to tighten my belt.
I don't feel I am overpaid in the slightest. I recently enquired about a job in teaching and was surprised to learn that teachers earn more than me. So do nurses. I am not saying I am more qualified (although I have a degree - I know, my choice to do this job...but a job I KNOW I excel at..), but that lovely BOY IN BLUE mentioned that we are not trained to nurses levels or firemen's standards. And they also do shift work. While this may be true, few jobs expect you to do a day shift on day 1, a night shift on day 2/3, another day shift on day 4 and another night shift on day 5/6. And then expect you to do CPR on someone (yes, I've done that); be prepared and trained enough to fight a fire; console a breaved passenger, take the cheese tray up to the Flight Crew and exchange niceties with them; speak to a foreign passenger in their tongue; and all the while, stay awake, with a smile on your (groomed) face despite the fact that your feet are killing you.
No-one is saying that we are Florence Nightingale, and this is a job a lot of people choose to do because they love the life-style. I am good at my job, I enjoy interacting with my flight-and cabin crew colleagues and passengers alike. I have a brain and earned more temping as a secretary while I awaited the outcome of my interview, but there are not that many people out there that are equipped to do this job as well as I - or many of my lovely, hard-working colleagues are.
So yes, I am going to fight to keep my working conditions from deteriorating.
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It is time for crew to teach the managment a lesson. We might not achieve must on this strike but hey we will let them know that we are not going to settle for less.
Oh yes we do have great conditions & agreement what is wrong in just want to keep them.
I just wanna keep my agreements and pay. I dont want anymore of what I am getting.
this is not a joke we are serious VOTE YES
Oh yes we do have great conditions & agreement what is wrong in just want to keep them.
I just wanna keep my agreements and pay. I dont want anymore of what I am getting.
this is not a joke we are serious VOTE YES
Last edited by triple x; 29th Dec 2006 at 10:10.
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Exactly Triple X.
We should not need to justify why we earn what we do, or the agreements we work to.
Yes, wages and agreements are amongst the best in the industry.
Yes, happy, well paid staff = bumper profits for BA.
Yes, purely because of the pay and agreements is why I chose to work for BA over Virgin, Britannia etc etc.
And Yes, I will certainly strike to maintain these agreements (and I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of BASSA either). In fact, out of all the trips I have worked on since rumours of the strike began i can count on one hand the number of collegues who will not be voting 'yes'.
Although to be fair BA have made it clear that they are NOT proposing and changes to our agreements. The main issues are the attendance management process, pensions, removal of a purser on the jumbo, an increase in pay increments on the post '97 contract and the correct application of us flying no more than 900 hours in any 12 rolling months.
This new management we have need to be shown that they can not walk over us. They cannot get away with 'negotiating' an attendace management process with BASSA and once it's agreed simply change the rules to benefit them.
Management whinging that we are too expensive while they award themselves with GBP75million bonuses.
Management that take months to sort out the simple issue of a woman wearing a cross around her neck.
I'm certainly not going to get on my soapbox about how poorly paid I am or how un-fair it is. Because it is not true. I am paid well, which is why I left Virgin for BA. I get more time off after trips, which is why I left Virgin for BA. Its also why I am so, so much happier when on the aircraft when I am at BA. Which I guess in some small way is why we make so much money.
We should not need to justify why we earn what we do, or the agreements we work to.
Yes, wages and agreements are amongst the best in the industry.
Yes, happy, well paid staff = bumper profits for BA.
Yes, purely because of the pay and agreements is why I chose to work for BA over Virgin, Britannia etc etc.
And Yes, I will certainly strike to maintain these agreements (and I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of BASSA either). In fact, out of all the trips I have worked on since rumours of the strike began i can count on one hand the number of collegues who will not be voting 'yes'.
Although to be fair BA have made it clear that they are NOT proposing and changes to our agreements. The main issues are the attendance management process, pensions, removal of a purser on the jumbo, an increase in pay increments on the post '97 contract and the correct application of us flying no more than 900 hours in any 12 rolling months.
This new management we have need to be shown that they can not walk over us. They cannot get away with 'negotiating' an attendace management process with BASSA and once it's agreed simply change the rules to benefit them.
Management whinging that we are too expensive while they award themselves with GBP75million bonuses.
Management that take months to sort out the simple issue of a woman wearing a cross around her neck.
I'm certainly not going to get on my soapbox about how poorly paid I am or how un-fair it is. Because it is not true. I am paid well, which is why I left Virgin for BA. I get more time off after trips, which is why I left Virgin for BA. Its also why I am so, so much happier when on the aircraft when I am at BA. Which I guess in some small way is why we make so much money.
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I find it surprising that someone can find it surprising that teachers earn more than cabin crew. I hope this was a pleasant surprise?
I can understand someone wanting to protect the terms and conditions that they currently possess. I can also understand an employer wanting to reduce those terms and conditions as much as possible. BA are to some extent held over a barrel by their cabin crew because there are so many of them to replace, however, the bottom line is that a very large proportion of the general population could be trained to do the job, and also would like to do it. Would they do such a good job or be so dedicated if they were earning less? There in lies the crux of the argument. Unfortunately, BA management do not really care about that. They do not think of money being an incentive to do your job well. They just want to pay as little as they can get away with.
Apparently BA want to save £37m pa from cabin crew. Well that is not many days of strike action, but at the same time, Willie has a point to prove to strikers, so how far will he go to break the cabin crew? This is the most important question. One thing for sure, BASSA need to be totally convinced that their action is legal with all the Ts crossed and the Is dotted.
I personally think Willie will succeed in his mission to reduce cabin crew costs, but it will take him longer than he hopes. He has just pretty much replaced the whole workforce of long haul Gatwick crews by using 6 month temporary contractors at Heathrow and upping recruitment at shorthaul Gatwick for a while before hand. Could he do something similar in reverse for Heathrow?
One thing for sure, he will not stop at the cabin crew. Every workgroup is under attack. He just needs to do them one at a time, so that he can spread half truths about how one individual workgroup is fouling up the progress of the whole company when all other groups have agreed to changes!
I can understand someone wanting to protect the terms and conditions that they currently possess. I can also understand an employer wanting to reduce those terms and conditions as much as possible. BA are to some extent held over a barrel by their cabin crew because there are so many of them to replace, however, the bottom line is that a very large proportion of the general population could be trained to do the job, and also would like to do it. Would they do such a good job or be so dedicated if they were earning less? There in lies the crux of the argument. Unfortunately, BA management do not really care about that. They do not think of money being an incentive to do your job well. They just want to pay as little as they can get away with.
Apparently BA want to save £37m pa from cabin crew. Well that is not many days of strike action, but at the same time, Willie has a point to prove to strikers, so how far will he go to break the cabin crew? This is the most important question. One thing for sure, BASSA need to be totally convinced that their action is legal with all the Ts crossed and the Is dotted.
I personally think Willie will succeed in his mission to reduce cabin crew costs, but it will take him longer than he hopes. He has just pretty much replaced the whole workforce of long haul Gatwick crews by using 6 month temporary contractors at Heathrow and upping recruitment at shorthaul Gatwick for a while before hand. Could he do something similar in reverse for Heathrow?
One thing for sure, he will not stop at the cabin crew. Every workgroup is under attack. He just needs to do them one at a time, so that he can spread half truths about how one individual workgroup is fouling up the progress of the whole company when all other groups have agreed to changes!
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Some interesting exchanges,- and interestingly not so much as a nod towards the further battering LHR, the BAA and BA have taken in the customers eyes over the pre Christmas fog disruptions. Both the BAA and BA are lucky that there was a lot of fog about the fog and underneath the "Act of God, not our fault" cover is the fact were a lot of shortcomings despite many efforts to overcome them. BAs separate rostering of pilots and cabin crew due to different base turnaround times is just one of the problems. A further strike will just accelerate the customers growing dissatisfaction with LHR, the BAA and BA, all of whose fates are closely interlinked. The customers are not interested in the pros and cons of a dispute or any other factors behind disruption. They are just getting sick of it .Think about it. If you are travelling in 2007 who would you book with and which airports would you use for the best chance of getting where you want to with a minimum of potential hassle? The logical answer is a serious threat to BA's future,- and your jobs.
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GS-Alpha makes a sound point - crew costs WILL be cut significantly. It might take longer or it might mean a few days inconvenience because of a strike, but it seems WW has already decided.
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Any dates for industrial action?
Hi Guys n Gals,
Just a quick question - are they any definitive dates yet for proposed industrial action? I'm hearing 'the end of January' on the radio (LBC 97.3) but wondered if anyone knows anything more?
I'm asking because I have a family trip to Canada around that time and don't want to get stranded.
Best wishes to all our crews. You have to fight your corner accordingly. Good luck.
Just a quick question - are they any definitive dates yet for proposed industrial action? I'm hearing 'the end of January' on the radio (LBC 97.3) but wondered if anyone knows anything more?
I'm asking because I have a family trip to Canada around that time and don't want to get stranded.
Best wishes to all our crews. You have to fight your corner accordingly. Good luck.
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I just want to correct something GS Alpha said. The workforce wasn't replaced at LGW by the 6 month temps from LHR. At the end of their 6 months, they had the option to leave or go to the Single Fleet. There was nowhere near enough of them to 'replace' us. If the Single Fleet at LGW hadn't have happened, most of us would be happy to stay at LGW and the recruitment drive wouldn't have happened. There was a massive recruitment drive in the summer for the new fleet, not euroLGW.
LHR_777, there is no date as yet. However, the union (BASSA) have to give a minimum of 7 days notice to BA of strike action and the strike has to happen within 28 days of this notice. All ballot papers have to be in by 12th Jan, so you can safely say it'll happen (if a yes vote is received) between 15th Jan and 12th Feb.
LHR_777, there is no date as yet. However, the union (BASSA) have to give a minimum of 7 days notice to BA of strike action and the strike has to happen within 28 days of this notice. All ballot papers have to be in by 12th Jan, so you can safely say it'll happen (if a yes vote is received) between 15th Jan and 12th Feb.
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That's right there were 400 temps recruited for the summer (there are 10,000 permanent cabin crew employed at LHR). At the end of their temp contract they were given the option of commencing a LGW Single Fleet contract under the LGW SF terms and conditions.
LHR_777 no dates have yet to be announced. I guess shortest possible notice = maximum disruption. However, the ballot will close on Jan 12th. The results will be announced at a union meeting on the 15th. By law, BASSA then needs to give 7 days notice to BA and any action must be undertaken within four weeks.
Just one point to make: THIS INDUSTRIAL ACTION IS NOT ABOUT CHANGES TO OUR AGREEMENTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS. NONE HAVE BEEN IMPOSED (with the exception of changes to the attendance management process).
HOWEVER, relations between BA and BOTH cabin crew unions is at an all time low. We are basically being balloted on a 'breakdown in industrial relations'. This IS a crucial vote. Both BA and BASSA are awaiting the result of the ballot with great anxiety. if there is a low turnout for a YES vote, then that will be the end of BASSA's strength and BA WILL BEGIN IMPOSING CHANGES TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
The main purpose of this ballot is to show BA management that we ARE united and that we will NOT accept the sort of 'bully boy' tactics being employed by some of our management (particularly one ex QF manager recently recruited).
The true cost of any industrial action to BA is incalculatable. BA cannot afford another PR disaster.
Although Willie Walsh as CEO has significant sway at BA he still needs to answer to the BA board of Directors. He will need to tread, therefore, very very carefully. Do you meet halfway with the unions? Or do you risk turning the perception of BA into another Alitalia or Olympic? There is still alot BA can do to win the siutation. The union has thrown as many issues into the pot as possible so that it will gauge maximum YES votes from crew. At least 1 or the 12 issues will effect every individual crew member. Whispers have started that management will start doing deals on certain issues, fragmenting support. There will be swayers that will throw in the towel for their own gains.
LHR_777 no dates have yet to be announced. I guess shortest possible notice = maximum disruption. However, the ballot will close on Jan 12th. The results will be announced at a union meeting on the 15th. By law, BASSA then needs to give 7 days notice to BA and any action must be undertaken within four weeks.
Just one point to make: THIS INDUSTRIAL ACTION IS NOT ABOUT CHANGES TO OUR AGREEMENTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS. NONE HAVE BEEN IMPOSED (with the exception of changes to the attendance management process).
HOWEVER, relations between BA and BOTH cabin crew unions is at an all time low. We are basically being balloted on a 'breakdown in industrial relations'. This IS a crucial vote. Both BA and BASSA are awaiting the result of the ballot with great anxiety. if there is a low turnout for a YES vote, then that will be the end of BASSA's strength and BA WILL BEGIN IMPOSING CHANGES TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
The main purpose of this ballot is to show BA management that we ARE united and that we will NOT accept the sort of 'bully boy' tactics being employed by some of our management (particularly one ex QF manager recently recruited).
The true cost of any industrial action to BA is incalculatable. BA cannot afford another PR disaster.
Although Willie Walsh as CEO has significant sway at BA he still needs to answer to the BA board of Directors. He will need to tread, therefore, very very carefully. Do you meet halfway with the unions? Or do you risk turning the perception of BA into another Alitalia or Olympic? There is still alot BA can do to win the siutation. The union has thrown as many issues into the pot as possible so that it will gauge maximum YES votes from crew. At least 1 or the 12 issues will effect every individual crew member. Whispers have started that management will start doing deals on certain issues, fragmenting support. There will be swayers that will throw in the towel for their own gains.
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An interesting post keeperboy. May I ask in your opinion what would constitute BA meeting BASSA half way? Over the last 5 years BASSA has vehemently opposed virtually every change in working practices BA has suggested, and IFS have been shielded from most demands for change by Mike Street. Now MS has gone there is huge pressure on IFS and other former Street departments to start contributing to the savings. BASSA decry every effort to change as an attack on their members. Where is the middle ground and what are BASSA members prepared to give up in order to meet BA half way?
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We didn't really have much choice. The 3 options put to us were, a) take serverance, b) change onto the LGW SF contract or c) transfer to LHR. If you speak to many LGW WW crew, many would have seriously considered staying had we not have to change contract and our terms and conditions.
Your post implies that we were all 'replaced' by the temp crew from LHR, this cannot be the case as there are simply not enough of them. In fact, I believe very few opted to stay with the company and move fleets to LGW.
Your post implies that we were all 'replaced' by the temp crew from LHR, this cannot be the case as there are simply not enough of them. In fact, I believe very few opted to stay with the company and move fleets to LGW.
Last edited by Off Stand; 29th Dec 2006 at 16:59.
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Off stand - from my original post:
"replaced the whole workforce of long haul Gatwick crews by using 6 month temporary contractors at Heathrow and upping recruitment at shorthaul Gatwick for a while before hand."
So I wasn't suggesting they were simply replaced by the temporary contract crew. It was a mixture. I also agree that you did not have much choice. And this too was my point. Willie will work out how to do things without giving you much choice. The attack on your terms and conditions will only happen when you are at market rate. Currently, you are not. I do not blame you one bit for trying to protect what you have, and I will personally support you, but whilst you might win the odd battle, you are unlikely to win the war.
"replaced the whole workforce of long haul Gatwick crews by using 6 month temporary contractors at Heathrow and upping recruitment at shorthaul Gatwick for a while before hand."
So I wasn't suggesting they were simply replaced by the temporary contract crew. It was a mixture. I also agree that you did not have much choice. And this too was my point. Willie will work out how to do things without giving you much choice. The attack on your terms and conditions will only happen when you are at market rate. Currently, you are not. I do not blame you one bit for trying to protect what you have, and I will personally support you, but whilst you might win the odd battle, you are unlikely to win the war.
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I don't think a strike will make it any better for either side and no doubt, BA have will do all possible to avoid it.
My piont is that, no matter what occupation you do, you choose it because you enjoy it. Majority of BA crew like their jobs. We don't want to be school teachers, nurses or police officers. If BA get their way and totally erode our contracts to nothing, many of us will be put in a position where we just can't afford to work there anymore. Lets face it - when T5 comes along, BA will be saving plenty of money on box payments alone.
It's a real shame for people to be put in a position of possibily having to leave a job because their employer is only focused on one thing. People who enjoy their jobs breed happy customers - we all know that.
Sure .... We can be replaced. However, BA have already struggled to recruit crew particularly for the new LGW SF as the contract is crap. Many of the temps I spoke to have no intention of staying at LGW so BA have wasted their money on them and they will have to be replaced too.
The best way forwrad is to get talking again for all our sakes. The most worrying thing in my opinion is that WW has a reputation as a fiece formidable character who simply wont back down at any price!
I desperately hope I am wrong.
My piont is that, no matter what occupation you do, you choose it because you enjoy it. Majority of BA crew like their jobs. We don't want to be school teachers, nurses or police officers. If BA get their way and totally erode our contracts to nothing, many of us will be put in a position where we just can't afford to work there anymore. Lets face it - when T5 comes along, BA will be saving plenty of money on box payments alone.
It's a real shame for people to be put in a position of possibily having to leave a job because their employer is only focused on one thing. People who enjoy their jobs breed happy customers - we all know that.
Sure .... We can be replaced. However, BA have already struggled to recruit crew particularly for the new LGW SF as the contract is crap. Many of the temps I spoke to have no intention of staying at LGW so BA have wasted their money on them and they will have to be replaced too.
The best way forwrad is to get talking again for all our sakes. The most worrying thing in my opinion is that WW has a reputation as a fiece formidable character who simply wont back down at any price!
I desperately hope I am wrong.
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GS-Alpha: Yes, it was a pleasant surprise about the teachers' salaries, as I have always heard about how they (and other key workers) earn so little - and I think it's a disgrace. I also live in London, so I know how high the cost of living is here. The reason why I was pleasantly surprised is because I have had enough of all this now and wish to re-train as a teacher, so I will not be taking the drop in salary that I feared.
Let me make it clear that I do not want a strike, but I want to make my voice heard in order that my management acknowledges my concerns. But the management have put themselves in a dangerous position when their employees feel they have nothing to lose anymore.
Carnage-Matey: BASSA is not a few militant people in an office, but representatives of the cabin crew community. So it is incorrect to say that we have not met BA management halfway on some issues: Our reps urged us not to accept the EG300 (turns out they were correct), but we as a union agreed to have it implemented; our reps urged those as LGW not to accept the SF-LGW, but we agreed to it (again, to our peril); post Sept 11th, we as a union agreed to help cut costs by signing up to the TEMPORARY removal of a crew member from our longhaul aircraft - and that has become a PERMANENT removal, bringing us below the level of crew complements on airlines such as Singapore, Malaysia, JAL, ANA, Virgin, etc. So it cannot be said that we don't make concessions.
I have been looking with interest at the other airlines' threads on this forum and have noted that the spin about BA cabin crew being the most expensive in the world is utter nonsense. Perhaps those on the old contract used to be paid above industry rates, but that is no longer the case. I have worked for the company for 10 years and I am paid pretty much the same as Virgin, less that Emirates and JAL, and more than Easyjet. I signed a contract prior to starting my course at BA and at the end of the 6 weeks, was given another contract to sign - cutting my salary effectively in half. I was told that I had to sign it or leave. That was a great start to my flying career. (One would wonder how that was legal, but 'zay hef vays and means'...) But at least there was the prospect then of going for promotion to increase my earning potential. That option has now been removed from me. I am working harder than ever; downroute time off has been reduced; the crew complement has been reduced; transport has been reduced (Central area bus and the 285; I can't afford a car - I know: boo-hoo, poor me); I have never called in sick when I have not been genuinely ill, but the EG300 makes me sufficiently scared that I operated to SFO recently with a streaming nose, sneezing on those poor Club passengers; some of our hotels have been down-graded (yes, I know: poor us, but it is the thin edge of the wedge, isn't it?); and the list continues. Yes, I know change is inevitable in our share-holder driven world, but at some point, enough is enough. Contributors keep on pointing out that other air crew have worse conditions - and that is exactly the point. When there is a united front and you are working for a profitable company that can afford to reward its managers and directors with the kind of bonuses that have been bandied about, it would only be someone very short on brains who would say: "after 10 years of loyal service you wish to make changes to my working conditions and pay, and remove the possibility of promotion for me? Sure go ahead." I have nothing to lose anymore. I love my job and know from passengers, cabin crew and flight crew alike, that I am very good at it. But I will put up a fight to protect my corner until WW DOES get his way (which I belive is inevitable) and replaces us with the like of McDonald's employees. I am going, I accept that, but not without a fight.
LHR-777: I am in the same boat as you. I am due to take my annual leave over the time of the proposed strike, but it is a price I am willing to pay. Hope you and your family get away ok.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Let me make it clear that I do not want a strike, but I want to make my voice heard in order that my management acknowledges my concerns. But the management have put themselves in a dangerous position when their employees feel they have nothing to lose anymore.
Carnage-Matey: BASSA is not a few militant people in an office, but representatives of the cabin crew community. So it is incorrect to say that we have not met BA management halfway on some issues: Our reps urged us not to accept the EG300 (turns out they were correct), but we as a union agreed to have it implemented; our reps urged those as LGW not to accept the SF-LGW, but we agreed to it (again, to our peril); post Sept 11th, we as a union agreed to help cut costs by signing up to the TEMPORARY removal of a crew member from our longhaul aircraft - and that has become a PERMANENT removal, bringing us below the level of crew complements on airlines such as Singapore, Malaysia, JAL, ANA, Virgin, etc. So it cannot be said that we don't make concessions.
I have been looking with interest at the other airlines' threads on this forum and have noted that the spin about BA cabin crew being the most expensive in the world is utter nonsense. Perhaps those on the old contract used to be paid above industry rates, but that is no longer the case. I have worked for the company for 10 years and I am paid pretty much the same as Virgin, less that Emirates and JAL, and more than Easyjet. I signed a contract prior to starting my course at BA and at the end of the 6 weeks, was given another contract to sign - cutting my salary effectively in half. I was told that I had to sign it or leave. That was a great start to my flying career. (One would wonder how that was legal, but 'zay hef vays and means'...) But at least there was the prospect then of going for promotion to increase my earning potential. That option has now been removed from me. I am working harder than ever; downroute time off has been reduced; the crew complement has been reduced; transport has been reduced (Central area bus and the 285; I can't afford a car - I know: boo-hoo, poor me); I have never called in sick when I have not been genuinely ill, but the EG300 makes me sufficiently scared that I operated to SFO recently with a streaming nose, sneezing on those poor Club passengers; some of our hotels have been down-graded (yes, I know: poor us, but it is the thin edge of the wedge, isn't it?); and the list continues. Yes, I know change is inevitable in our share-holder driven world, but at some point, enough is enough. Contributors keep on pointing out that other air crew have worse conditions - and that is exactly the point. When there is a united front and you are working for a profitable company that can afford to reward its managers and directors with the kind of bonuses that have been bandied about, it would only be someone very short on brains who would say: "after 10 years of loyal service you wish to make changes to my working conditions and pay, and remove the possibility of promotion for me? Sure go ahead." I have nothing to lose anymore. I love my job and know from passengers, cabin crew and flight crew alike, that I am very good at it. But I will put up a fight to protect my corner until WW DOES get his way (which I belive is inevitable) and replaces us with the like of McDonald's employees. I am going, I accept that, but not without a fight.
LHR-777: I am in the same boat as you. I am due to take my annual leave over the time of the proposed strike, but it is a price I am willing to pay. Hope you and your family get away ok.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Heathrow
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I appreciate and admire your stance, however, it's not a price I'm willing to pay when I have to be somewhere for a specific date, so my money has gone to American Airlines for confirmed, commercial tickets instead. I just don't need the uncertainty of either not getting to Montreal, or getting stranded when I'm in Toronto and not being able to get back home in time.