British Airways - CC Industrial Relations & Negotiations
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12 Consecutive Days?
Somehow, I don't think this is going to go anywhere beyond 24-48 hours, if at all. That would be unprecedented for a group with 100% public backing.
Len McCluskey keeps on saying "Dignity and Respect". There won't be much of that abound this festive season. Wrong fight, wrong time.
Len McCluskey keeps on saying "Dignity and Respect". There won't be much of that abound this festive season. Wrong fight, wrong time.
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So the union has over £5m to pay for everyone to strike? And this is on top of any damages that BA will seek if the vote is iffy in any way?
Any cabin crew striking will lose half of their take home pay that month. That means that they have already taken a pay cut for the next year of 4.1%. Brilliant
Any cabin crew striking will lose half of their take home pay that month. That means that they have already taken a pay cut for the next year of 4.1%. Brilliant
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As a BA cabin crew member I am absolutely disgusted with Unite's decision to strike for 12 days over the Xmas period.
To all our customers everywhere, I sincerely apologise. This thread has been very lively over the past few months, but despite knowing the Yes vote was coming I actually feel sick to my stomach and I know feel extremely sad.
Fincastle, Henky, Desertia - you have been a wonderful support on here. I really hope to have the pleasure to meet you before this company goes bust.
Shame on you BASSA. Shame on you Lalalady. We will all rot because of these selfish, selfish actions. And all because of 1 crew member off an airplane.
The above represents my own view, and not that of BA.
To all our customers everywhere, I sincerely apologise. This thread has been very lively over the past few months, but despite knowing the Yes vote was coming I actually feel sick to my stomach and I know feel extremely sad.
Fincastle, Henky, Desertia - you have been a wonderful support on here. I really hope to have the pleasure to meet you before this company goes bust.
Shame on you BASSA. Shame on you Lalalady. We will all rot because of these selfish, selfish actions. And all because of 1 crew member off an airplane.
The above represents my own view, and not that of BA.
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Steve Turner in the press conference said that 3 crew are coming off some aircraft. Which would those be?
I hope BA now come out with some hard hitting comms putting the record straight. "We have not taken a beligerent approach to negotiations" What a load of tosh - they voted at the same venue a few months ago to NOT negotiate on any of those 18 points in Steve Turner's hand. I wish someone had asked him about that.
I hope BA now come out with some hard hitting comms putting the record straight. "We have not taken a beligerent approach to negotiations" What a load of tosh - they voted at the same venue a few months ago to NOT negotiate on any of those 18 points in Steve Turner's hand. I wish someone had asked him about that.
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BA.com is saying they are "working on a reworked schedule" for the affected dates, and anyone affected by a cancellation, BA will contact you via e-mail or SMS.
I guess until the re-worked schdule is announced there will be no refunds.
Dosen't sound like they are planning on grounding the whole airline this time... watching those full flights take off from the picket line (out on the A30 somewhere) will be heartbreaking for some!
CB
I guess until the re-worked schdule is announced there will be no refunds.
Dosen't sound like they are planning on grounding the whole airline this time... watching those full flights take off from the picket line (out on the A30 somewhere) will be heartbreaking for some!
CB
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Not a great fan of Unite and I think BA cabin crew are naive if they think BA is not in perilous danger of going under given the pension deficit and the fact that they cannot compete in cost terms with the the locos.
That said, WW has been spoiling for a fight with the Unions for some time now and his CV possesses the attribute of a former Union negotiator that management turned.
I think the imposition of new working practices arbitrarilly was bound to inflame opinion and raise blood temperature levels. I fail to understand when the Union was offering cost savings to match what the company was striving for, that the two sides could not have found a compromise. Intransigence of the highest order on both sides I would suggest.
The media spin game will now begin and it will be the end of BA CC unions if they lose as I suspect they will. It's a sad day when both sides are willing to risk the collapse of the National flag carrier through sheer bloody-mindedness.
Regards
Orion Man
That said, WW has been spoiling for a fight with the Unions for some time now and his CV possesses the attribute of a former Union negotiator that management turned.
I think the imposition of new working practices arbitrarilly was bound to inflame opinion and raise blood temperature levels. I fail to understand when the Union was offering cost savings to match what the company was striving for, that the two sides could not have found a compromise. Intransigence of the highest order on both sides I would suggest.
The media spin game will now begin and it will be the end of BA CC unions if they lose as I suspect they will. It's a sad day when both sides are willing to risk the collapse of the National flag carrier through sheer bloody-mindedness.
Regards
Orion Man
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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Steve Turner in the press conference said that 3 crew are coming off some aircraft. Which would those be?
In practice, the minimum crew level on the A321 is now 5.
Weasel words.
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BBC business analysts are now saying there is a real danger that BA might not survive this. So all those fools who would rather see BA go bust that accept this imposition are getting close to actually standing by their bluster. There is a strange idea floating around that if the company does go under it will re-emerge under a new name - well something may emerge but you can bet that everyone will be on very much reduced T&C's apart from anything else everyone will be on paypoint 1.
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I also heard them say they were taking 3 crew off some aircraft. Which type of aircraft would that be?
Possibly a short haul 319 on a very short sector perhaps. Certainly not 3 off a 747 or 777.
This is a sad day when we are told they are the best cabin crew in industry but they do not mind ruining Christmas for millions of people and their children.
I am ashamed to say I used to be one of them.
Possibly a short haul 319 on a very short sector perhaps. Certainly not 3 off a 747 or 777.
This is a sad day when we are told they are the best cabin crew in industry but they do not mind ruining Christmas for millions of people and their children.
I am ashamed to say I used to be one of them.
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Just booked my January LHR-AUH-LHR with Etihad which will be the first time in over 40 flights to the UAE that I have not gone with BA.
Maybe the next coffee that I am served by BA cabin crew will be at Starbucks in T4 where some of them might find jobs.
We will miss BA and believe it or not some of those lower paid CC are excellent in all aspects of their job, you don't habe to be European and over 40 to be good cabin crew.
I had a pay cut last year and will not get a pay increase this year as well as having to do the work of more than one person but thats what people in real businesses do. The BA Pilots set a good example and one the CC should follow for now at least
Maybe the next coffee that I am served by BA cabin crew will be at Starbucks in T4 where some of them might find jobs.
We will miss BA and believe it or not some of those lower paid CC are excellent in all aspects of their job, you don't habe to be European and over 40 to be good cabin crew.
I had a pay cut last year and will not get a pay increase this year as well as having to do the work of more than one person but thats what people in real businesses do. The BA Pilots set a good example and one the CC should follow for now at least
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Here's the song
alas!
How the Service will de-generate over those 12 Days of Yuletide strikes
(Sung to the well known tune)
On the first day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
a part ride with some lukewarm Chablis
On the second day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
Two fertile shoves (to the back of the cabin)
and a part ride to New York Cit-ee (return flight cancelled)
On the third day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
Three French mens (lost bags, instead of my own)
Etc etc
On the twelfth day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
Twelve plumbers bumming (a free ride home on another airline)
eleven pipers wiping (the tears of despair from their eyes)
ten awards a' weeping (couldn’t get an upgrade)
nine ladies re-financing (their trip to Turkey)
eight downgrades a' milking (as much sympathy as possible)
seven prawns a' slimming (no more onboard meals)
six police a' spraying (water cannon at the picket lines)
five apron strings (to go serve myself in the galley)
four appalling words (unrepeatable)
three French mens (lost bags instead of my own)
two fertile shoves (to prevent me moving forward to Club World)
and my bus fare home to Dundee
How the Service will de-generate over those 12 Days of Yuletide strikes
(Sung to the well known tune)
On the first day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
a part ride with some lukewarm Chablis
On the second day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
Two fertile shoves (to the back of the cabin)
and a part ride to New York Cit-ee (return flight cancelled)
On the third day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
Three French mens (lost bags, instead of my own)
Etc etc
On the twelfth day of Christmas my crew love gave to me
Twelve plumbers bumming (a free ride home on another airline)
eleven pipers wiping (the tears of despair from their eyes)
ten awards a' weeping (couldn’t get an upgrade)
nine ladies re-financing (their trip to Turkey)
eight downgrades a' milking (as much sympathy as possible)
seven prawns a' slimming (no more onboard meals)
six police a' spraying (water cannon at the picket lines)
five apron strings (to go serve myself in the galley)
four appalling words (unrepeatable)
three French mens (lost bags instead of my own)
two fertile shoves (to prevent me moving forward to Club World)
and my bus fare home to Dundee
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So where are all the BASSA supporters, crowing about what you've all achieved? Or is that just happening on the BASSA forums.
Before you start, let me tell you what you've achieved, apart from wrecking the christmas plans of many of our customers.
You've managed to, even further heighten the public perception of us as overpaid, underworked divas with absolutely no grasp on reality. BASSA's self serving, sordid little campaign has dragged all of us down with them, whether we like it or not. Afraid to cross a picket line? Not at all. In fact, I will be doing just that on the 22nd. However, I'm not looking forward to the shame of having to face the public in a British Airways uniform. Well done! I hope you're very proud!
Before you start, let me tell you what you've achieved, apart from wrecking the christmas plans of many of our customers.
You've managed to, even further heighten the public perception of us as overpaid, underworked divas with absolutely no grasp on reality. BASSA's self serving, sordid little campaign has dragged all of us down with them, whether we like it or not. Afraid to cross a picket line? Not at all. In fact, I will be doing just that on the 22nd. However, I'm not looking forward to the shame of having to face the public in a British Airways uniform. Well done! I hope you're very proud!
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BA CC will now reap what they have sown!
Badly lead and misinformed by a power hungry section of a trades union who ought to be looking after the best interests of their members. The big hint here is that THE best interest is having a job.
The next few days will probably see huge numbers of cabin crew deciding that the stress is all too much and be heading off to their GP for a sick note.....haven't we been here before??
Hopefully, when the dust eventually settles, BA's cabin crew costs will have been reduced by a reasonable amount and the cabin crew will dump their present union leadership in favour of some who would be able to use English words apart from NO!
I didn't think that present cabin crew, most of whom I have huge respect for, would follow this bunch of muppets........they have and so will have to take the result!
Badly lead and misinformed by a power hungry section of a trades union who ought to be looking after the best interests of their members. The big hint here is that THE best interest is having a job.
The next few days will probably see huge numbers of cabin crew deciding that the stress is all too much and be heading off to their GP for a sick note.....haven't we been here before??
Hopefully, when the dust eventually settles, BA's cabin crew costs will have been reduced by a reasonable amount and the cabin crew will dump their present union leadership in favour of some who would be able to use English words apart from NO!
I didn't think that present cabin crew, most of whom I have huge respect for, would follow this bunch of muppets........they have and so will have to take the result!
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Well in an attempt to be dispassionate.....
Round 1 to BA
BASSA failed to get an injuction, New crew levels imposed, VR people leave the business - BA saves money
Ding
Round 2 to BASSA
BASSA gets reasonable support for strike action and calls a 12 day strike, which I have to admit I didn't see coming (2 or 3 days maybe) - I guess if your going to lead lemmings over a cliff it might as well be a very HIGH cliff!!
Ding
Round 3 is now underway........ Will BA jab with a court injuction, or deliver a roundhouse by sacking strikers? Will BASSA uppercut and scare BA back to the negotiating table? Will Willie Resign?!?!? Tune in tomorrow, or maybe later today for the next installment
Sort of like Eastenders, but even more life like.
None of which is even remotely entertaining for those who stand to have holiday travel plans disrupted (Me included, but at least I can drive to Scotland), but flipancy is they only way I can cope with such monumental stupidity (I'm reffering to BASSA here incase anyone is unsure!!) without going insane!
CB
Round 1 to BA
BASSA failed to get an injuction, New crew levels imposed, VR people leave the business - BA saves money
Ding
Round 2 to BASSA
BASSA gets reasonable support for strike action and calls a 12 day strike, which I have to admit I didn't see coming (2 or 3 days maybe) - I guess if your going to lead lemmings over a cliff it might as well be a very HIGH cliff!!
Ding
Round 3 is now underway........ Will BA jab with a court injuction, or deliver a roundhouse by sacking strikers? Will BASSA uppercut and scare BA back to the negotiating table? Will Willie Resign?!?!? Tune in tomorrow, or maybe later today for the next installment
Sort of like Eastenders, but even more life like.
None of which is even remotely entertaining for those who stand to have holiday travel plans disrupted (Me included, but at least I can drive to Scotland), but flipancy is they only way I can cope with such monumental stupidity (I'm reffering to BASSA here incase anyone is unsure!!) without going insane!
CB
Last edited by Crash_and_Burn; 14th Dec 2009 at 14:56.
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Well it has taken months to produce, but at last BASSA have finalised their suicide note. If the strike starts on 22 Dec it will be over by lunchtime on the same day, AT THE LATEST!
My experience is that there is very little support for an actual STRIKE ("I just wanted to send a message to WW" etc) amongst the CC and absolutely NO support among the other staff in BA (which might have been useful when the mass sackings start.)
I should think there will be a lot of sleepless nights aroung LHR tonight, and a pretty miserable festive season for many, but the face of BA by Jan 5 will be very, very different (and for the better).
Happy Christmas!
My experience is that there is very little support for an actual STRIKE ("I just wanted to send a message to WW" etc) amongst the CC and absolutely NO support among the other staff in BA (which might have been useful when the mass sackings start.)
I should think there will be a lot of sleepless nights aroung LHR tonight, and a pretty miserable festive season for many, but the face of BA by Jan 5 will be very, very different (and for the better).
Happy Christmas!
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The company has today issued the following statement:
"British Airways is extremely disappointed that Unite is planning massive disruption for hundreds of thousands of our customers over the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
"A 12-day strike would be completely unjustified and a huge over-reaction to the modest changes we have announced for cabin crew which are intended to help us recover from record financial losses.
"Unite’s cynical decision betrays a total lack of concern for our customers, our business and other employees within British Airways".
"British Airways is extremely disappointed that Unite is planning massive disruption for hundreds of thousands of our customers over the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
"A 12-day strike would be completely unjustified and a huge over-reaction to the modest changes we have announced for cabin crew which are intended to help us recover from record financial losses.
"Unite’s cynical decision betrays a total lack of concern for our customers, our business and other employees within British Airways".
I think the imposition of new working practices arbitrarilly was bound to inflame opinion and raise blood temperature levels. I fail to understand when the Union was offering cost savings to match what the company was striving for, that the two sides could not have found a compromise.