016FSM

Finally we're all starting to agree on something on here!!

scoobydooo

woo, hoo I managed 4 days of not posting, new personal best. Lots to read while I have been away, all very constructive, except the last post which just seems inflammatory so should be ignored.

Continue the debate, lots of developments and more to come I am sure in the lead up, probably starting with the union update today.

VSLHR, you must be tired, either that or on commission per post (JOKE)

Right, lets see if I can do 5 days off now !

scoobydooo

Just thought I would share this little ditty from the end of last year, only just checked my mail and one for BB there

Do you know that when the dispute is over, you will go back to
receiving £5 for 1 crew down. BA have just offered their Gatwick fleet
£175 for 1 crew down. This would be a permanent rate, and fixed for
any future flights. All our members must stand up and be counted, and ask
the Company about the possibility of the £160 they are offering
strike breakers to become permanent.

so as not to reignite the BA VS thing he is saying if the company is prepared to offer £160 for 1 crew down member guaranteed during the strike, why not permanently ?

red_eye_rat

Just goes to show how out of touch with reality BB is.

You cant compare Virgin (small, yes small private company) with BA (still a large rich company).

It was important to get the best deal that was feasiable for and from OUR company. For once and for all, we have got to stop beating ourselves up by holding what we get by comparison to others.

Lets hope the conversation thats being held between the reps and him today are a little more based in reality and this whole sorry affair can be brought someway closer to resolution.

scoobydooo

red eye, you focused on the wrong bit, if the company is offering to pay £160 for 1 crew down during strike action why dont they do it permanently ?

red_eye_rat

No, my focus was accurate.

Small private company not being able to match big rich company in crew down payments.

Which bit was tricky?

magicE

So where is this update My Boyd if your reading??????

Sorry he wont be reading because i dont think he cares.

Anyone else know??

Cyber Bob

The reason that VAA can pay £160+ for crew down during the strike is because it's being funded by those going on strike and those who may decide to call in sick during the period. For it to remain, it would need to be negotiated by - Guess who? - the very person who has suggested that we plead with the company for it to remain.

Do like the way BB has suggested that we ask the company about the possibility of this remaining. I'm sure I read something that BB and the reps are supposed to representing us?. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we pay ours subs in the hope that BB + Co will act with our best interests at heart, yet in reality, it is left in our court to appeal to the company. Fantastic!

I despair . I really do have to question motives. Who is he truely representing here?. I suspect that he is representing himself - certainly making a hash of representing us.

As for the rep's - can't blame them as such. No experience and little qualification's that's why they asked BB to take over. Bet any money, you won't be seeing any of them on the picket line

So we have a union leader who is respresenting - Who?

We have rep's who are supporting who? ( Has anyone seen them since the strike was announced? - thought not)

And the company who is remaining steadfast.

Only one loser me thinks!

scoobydooo

Becasue realistic crew down payments dont have to be paid if the correct manning levels are achieved and maintained, likewise if the correct renumeration package (basic and trip pay) is achieved sicnkess would not be so high triggering large crew down payments. But no, virgin wants it's cake and to eat it, insufficient crewing levels, low basic, low trip pay, result high sickness.

As for small privaye vs big rich, was trying to avoid that hence last sentance in my post, but an airline that pitches itself to superior to another must be able to run with the dogs in all areas.

As for keeping the £160 crew down payment, if the company is instigating it it should be kept for good, or they take it away all together, but no that wouldnt help try and bribe people to come to work over strike days, again it is cake and eat it scenario.

Right end from me, getting drawn back into this thread and need to focus on other aspects this.

s3483

To: All Unite Cabin Crew Members at Virgin Atlantic


Dear Colleague

Subject: Industrial Action Update

Since the previous correspondence from Unite, dated 21st December 2007; you will all be aware of the intense campaign by Virgin Atlantic Management to undermine the decision of some 3,200 Unite Cabin Crew members who have voted to participate in industrial action as a means of persuading the company to review and improve its current wage offer.

As I have previously stated, this decision was not taken lightly by our members. However, it is a clear message to Virgin Atlantic that its Cabin Crew employees are determined to have their contribution to the success of the business recognised long term. Unite Cabin Crew members obviously believe that the current offer does not address certain elements of their Terms & Conditions that would provide these assurances. The increases to flight duty pay are seen as a short term fix and the recognition of seniority has been ignored. The 4.8% increase to basic salary in the first year of the offer is tempered by the uncertainty of what an inflationary (RPI) increase in the second year may amount to.

The approach being taken by the company in its I-Fly communications to Cabin Crew employees is doing nothing positive to help resolve the current situation. The enhancements being offered to fly with crew down, will not be sustained by the Company , and a return to the normal payments which the majority of our crew find unrealistic is inevitable in the wake of this dispute. I am of the firm opinion that Unite members will see through these short term inducements.

I must also mention the recent letter you have received from Richard Branson.. Despite his suggestions, Unite members will not be walking away from Virgin Atlantic. They are however, entitled to continually pursue real improvements to their Terms & Conditions of Employment and are currently exercising this right.

You may also be unsettled by the company’s inferences to the security risks associated in picketing UK Airports. Unite are also aware of these risks and are already in contact with the relevant Authorities. News of our intentions in terms of peaceful protest/picketing will be confirmed on 7th January. The Virgin Atlantic Offices at Crawley may be ideal to concentrate our attentions. Unite will also hold mass meetings for our members to attend on 9th and 10th. Again, details will be confirmed by 7th January.

In conjunction with the above, the single most significant action Unite members have is the right “not to report for duty” on the days of strike. This is such a powerful message and one that Virgin Atlantic management are well aware of. It is the culmination of the democratic and legally protected process you as a Unite member have participated in.

Unite members have proven time and again that their determination to achieve an acceptable resolution.. I am confident that given the opportunity Unite can do this.

In the meantime, please make sure you visit the Unite Website, Civil Air Transport Section, Cabin Crew, Virgin Atlantic page for all strike updates. All contact details for your workplace reps can also be found on the webpage. They are doing a great job on your behalf. Call them and let them know.

Yours sincerely

Brian Boyd
Unite National Officer

vs_lhr

This just released by the company: http://www.v-flyer.com/pages.asp?pageid=233

Reaffirming that there will be no eleventh hour deal, and that any future pay negotiations will be effected if the strike goes ahead. Pretty much stuff that we already knew.

strikertworedshoes - the union can look into the payments VS will make to crew who come into work on the strike days all they like; they are entitled to pay their own staff bonuses in whatever way they fancy. It is not against any law.

scoobydooo

so clearly trying to undermine the union. Come to work and you will get a payrise... honest !! oohh that's just too funny

vs_lhr

Oh, I agree. It's clearly a response to the equally funny text messages going around saying there are only 4 volunteers.

However, it also confirms - yet again - that there is no further deal. So what are you striking for? (not that anyone can give me a single answer!) - is it now just to give the company a good kicking because they can't afford to pay you £27K?

red_eye_rat

As every office worker I know is STRONGLY opposed to the strike, that could prove to be an interesting morning...

magicE

Ok that update was the most useless piece of information we've had which highlights how flippin S%*T this union is!!!!!!

Sorry i'm just really annoyed!!!

On 20th December we're told that we will get an update on the 4th and now the one on the 4th says we will get an update and things will be finalised on the 7th.

YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING DO YOU, ADMIT IT BB, then we can start to sort this out ourselves(which by the way, you have already asked us to do).

vs_lhr

Oooo... I may try and arrange to be in Crawley for the morning. That would be too good to miss.

scoobydooo

red eye, that is the funniest post I have read all day, and I really mean it, I have visions of everyone tooled up in the carpark, images of st trinians lots of biting, hair pulling and fake guccis being swung around .

If we are picketing at the Base when we come in will it still call us gorgeous ?

edit: actually it wouldn be the base as no courses and all instructors trying to cover the programme. so ignore that last bit.

magicE

Are you allowed to enter company buildings while on strike!!!

Justanotherpax

What a vivid imagination!!

virgin dolly

Nice one Brian........firm and diplomatic.....more than I can say about RB's last contribution.

If Virgins management have their door closed for negotiations how about looking behind that door. With have Lyall and Mathew who came from Ansett..did'nt they go bust...!
We also have Steve.......did'nt he have something to do with J2000 that almost made Virgin go bust before 911.

I'm starting to think I have a "No Confidence" in our management...?