British Airways - CC Industrial Relations & Negotiations

[thunderbird7]

There's nothing wrong with BASSA - you just need to vote the right people in to run the bloody thing.

You must have an effective union in BA but one that represents the views and interests of the majority of its members, not those of a few.

Why could they not have conducted telephone polling of the membership by an independent company ( as some other unions have done ) to establish the needs and wants of their membership before embarking on their 'negotiations'.

[Desertia]

Why could they not have conducted telephone polling of the membership by an independent company ( as some other unions have done ) to establish the needs and wants of their membership before embarking on their 'negotiations'.

Answer: Because they only care about THEMSELVES.

And as if to confirm, those going to Sandown are advised:

You MUST bring your ID with you or you will not be allowed into the meeting room. This measure is being taken as we wish to avoid sensitive parts of the meeting being reported by the media in an inappropriate, uncontrolled manner.

I think that means "truthfully".

[beerdrinker]

" in an inappropriate, uncontrolled manner"

Shades of Soviet News control.

[henkybaby]

BBC news now also blaming Unite to be completely unreasonable. About 100% of public opinion is now firmly against Unite and the proposed strike. A strike will hurt the cabin crew's reputation beyond repair.

How can anybody keep claiming this strike is justifiable?

Edit: also interesting that every analyst predicts that BA management will fight Unite and win since they can actually afford the strike and because they have the moral support of the British public.

[Mallorcaman]

Time of Announcement

When will they make it official? I mean what time of day can we expect to find out what's next.

[henkybaby]

2 PM is the press conference.

[Mallorcaman]

thanks, greatly apreciated

[Hotel Mode]

Theres going to be some interesting decision making from both sides today. Essentially Unite have to call a strike date as the loss of face would be too enormous if they didnt. Which means they'll be sending their cannon fodder into action with possibly no protection from the law due to the balloting issues.

So then does BA go to law now and try to get an injunction? or do they just let Unite and the militants destroy themselves and then sue for damages having fired the first 1000 or so strikers? Plus points from BAs point of view is that they can terrify the moderates into turning up for work on the basis that they may be fired with no comeback. Also Unite may not have the guts to actually follow through and risk the entire union coffers on BASSAs mass hissy fit.

[finncapt]

I see the BBC have got it wrong again.

I didn't know that BA had proposed redundancies among the cabin crew.

[henkybaby]

Unite's reason for a strike

Unite says this will inevitably damage customer service and hit the brand, possibly leaving it beyond repair.

I am guessing they did not expect the threat of the strike creating mass support for BA (the company) and WW by passengers and the British public. Any damage done to the customer and the brand (and indeed possibly leaving it beyond repair) is being done by Unite, the war mungers within BA's CC and unfortunately those who blindly follow them...

Talking about shooting yourself in the foot...

Somebody please speak up this afternoon.

Finncapt: there is still an R in VR... (and no, its not rotate)

[finncapt]

Henky

You are perfectly correct but I think the average Englishman will read it as I did.

Particularly when we read of compulsory redundancies in other industries - many of whose members belong to Unite.

I've read it again and the words are "impose redundancies".

[henkybaby]

At last I get it...

It took a while but the strategy of the game just dawned on me.

1. Unite threatens a strike over x-mass hoping BA will cave, but leaving them no other option than to ballot for one when BA doesn't;
2. Since they realize a strike over x-mass will severely damage their cause they make some deliberate mistakes in the ballot process;
3. BA seeks an injunction and wins (as intended by Unite);
4. Unite can claim that they were sucker-punched by those clever and evil BA corporate lawyers and call off the strike without losing too much face;
5. Unite claims this forces them back to the negotiation table where the accept some small token by WW and claim victory for the BA CC.

But what happens if BA does not seek an injunction? What if they will contest the legality of the strike only after it started? WW may have a very different agenda.... He already has public support.

Any takers?

[finncapt]

Henky

I think I suggested something similar about the time of the original injunction case.

[henkybaby]

Finncapt: ah, you got it before I did then. I never read the entire thread. Let us hope we are right. I cannot believe that even the unions would be so stupid as to really want a strike over the holiday season.

[Hotel Mode]

5.Unite claims this forces them back to the negotiation table where the accept some small token by WW and claim victory for the BA CC.

All correct up until then. I dont think BA are going to allow BASSA even a semblance of self respect after this. The union must be seen to have failed. They built the scaffold in february with the snow and are now busy making sure the noose is good and strong.

Please cabin crew get yourself some decent representatives, this need not be happening. I've flown with 8 crews since mid Nov and all bar 1 have been pragmatic and kept things off the aircraft. I dont believe the average crew member is anything like as militant as BASSA believe them to be.

[finncapt]

HM

I'd like to think you are right but, in my experience, if you wish to win an arguement you suggest a solution which allows the other side to, at the least, retain their dignity.

[henkybaby]

I think WW's strategy is to go the Swissair route. The only way he can get rid of the pension fund woes. Now he can blame the cc for it.

Maybe newfleet will be called BA Airways.

[Hotel Mode]

if you wish to win an arguement you suggest a solution which allows the other side to, at the least, retain their dignity

From Willys email, which given it will almost inevitably end up as evidence in court, I'd suggest thats the last thing on his mind. Its important that the crew retain their dignity, I dont think thats incompatible with BASSA being kicked into touch. The crew I've flown with are nothing like as angry as lalalady et al. A commitment to collective bargaining under a different union regime would suit most.

[finncapt]

HM

Sorry, I was on your side but maybe it didn't come over that way.

[Hotel Mode]

Sorry, I was on your side but maybe it didn't come over that way.

No not at all. I just dont think that Lizanne Malones dignity is high on Willys agenda. I hope the Cabin Crews is though.