British Airways - CC Industrial Relations Mk V
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: 35,000 ft
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NewYorker01 - you are absolutely right, most cabin crew are unable to state WHY they are going on strike.
The question I always ask is what do you hope to achieve by going on strike? Again, no-one I have asked is able to give a logical or reasonable response. So far, the best that people (including MissM) can come up with is "a yes vote will mean they will start to negotiate".
Therefore I would like to ask Lurker, MissM, WatersideWonker, et al to please tell us. What exactly will you achieve by striking and what in your opinion will be the end result?
I am a BA cabin crew member, and this is my own view and not that of BA.
The question I always ask is what do you hope to achieve by going on strike? Again, no-one I have asked is able to give a logical or reasonable response. So far, the best that people (including MissM) can come up with is "a yes vote will mean they will start to negotiate".
Therefore I would like to ask Lurker, MissM, WatersideWonker, et al to please tell us. What exactly will you achieve by striking and what in your opinion will be the end result?
I am a BA cabin crew member, and this is my own view and not that of BA.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: brighton
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
why
WATERSIDE
Why some of us spend time on here is that we spent many years makng this company work and be loved by our customers and make profits and unlike you and your felllow Wonkers we and your colleagues in other areas of the airline and your customers are not prepared to let you and your like RUIN the company. Which in case you haven`t noticed you are making a pretty good job of so far!!
Why some of us spend time on here is that we spent many years makng this company work and be loved by our customers and make profits and unlike you and your felllow Wonkers we and your colleagues in other areas of the airline and your customers are not prepared to let you and your like RUIN the company. Which in case you haven`t noticed you are making a pretty good job of so far!!
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockport
Age: 84
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Watersidewonker says:
A few of the volunteers may have had rthat rationale, but I suspect that many more, whilst not directly affected by the formal reason for the ballot, fear that major disruption to BA operations will have a major and catastrophic effect on their own futures.
Although we have not seen so much of it recently, earlier posts made it clear that for many BASSA supporters, the only alternatives were a return to previous crewing levels or the closure of BA.
A real concern is the fact that a few people have voluntered to work as cabin crew because they feel a need to get involved in a dispute which does not concern them.
Although we have not seen so much of it recently, earlier posts made it clear that for many BASSA supporters, the only alternatives were a return to previous crewing levels or the closure of BA.
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wonker,
Doesn't concern us? Really? I see. So we're to sit back and allow your hubris to destroy the airline that employs all of us are we? (At this juncture, save me from your hilarious infantile desire to belittle the CEO and the head of IFCE by using childish analogues of their real names).
You're not a moral crusader setting the tone for 21st century industrial relations, be it individually or collectively.
You've picked the wrong time, in the wrong climate to stamp your feet and that's why I've volunteered, no matter what the anachronistic, chippy heads of certain TUs choose to say. Thank goodness BALPA doesn't march to the beat of the Unite/GMB drum.
MrB
Doesn't concern us? Really? I see. So we're to sit back and allow your hubris to destroy the airline that employs all of us are we? (At this juncture, save me from your hilarious infantile desire to belittle the CEO and the head of IFCE by using childish analogues of their real names).
You're not a moral crusader setting the tone for 21st century industrial relations, be it individually or collectively.
You've picked the wrong time, in the wrong climate to stamp your feet and that's why I've volunteered, no matter what the anachronistic, chippy heads of certain TUs choose to say. Thank goodness BALPA doesn't march to the beat of the Unite/GMB drum.
MrB
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: 49° 11′ 0″ N, 2° 7′ 0″ W
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Free speech - for all?
a yes vote will be my play so please respect my wishes
i would like to mention some people spend too much time on this site it does worry me
Last edited by La Pouquelaye; 24th Jan 2010 at 21:54.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Only been away a few days and the attacks on BASSA go on and on,for me a little tired of the bashing. A real concern is the fact that a few people have voluntered to work as cabin crew because they feel a need to get involved in a dispute which does not concern them.
I, and I suspect many others, have volunteered precisely because this dispute does concern me. BAs customers are being driven away by BASSAs actions. If that and your silly strike causes BA to go to the wall, then its my concern.
As others have said, if your dispute were genuine, I would back you to the hilt, as it is, you are a pawn in a power struggle run by the likes of Steve Turner and that Malone woman. Only you havn't got the nous to see it.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bath Road
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA and UNITE have presented new proposals!
Breath taking from UNITE is to re-instate crewing levels which is able by "a range of options" including - zone close, cap First Class and specific flight cancellations!
They can't be serious.
Breath taking from UNITE is to re-instate crewing levels which is able by "a range of options" including - zone close, cap First Class and specific flight cancellations!
They can't be serious.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Watersidewnker
I'm one of thousands in this company who have volunteered to take your place as you try to drive this company under. I already have my 3 day course dates (1 day extra for CSD course not yet allocated), and intend to do my utmost to undermine your strike, as it has everything to do with me.
My livelihood depends on this company remaining viable, your livelihood is not in danger if you accept the proposals. You risk the jobs of thousands to help a group of union reps retain their privileged position in the company's heirarchy, and to further the careers of professional political agitators.
I will continue to criticise Bassa as long as they continue to tell lies, and insult their colleagues. I can't believe that their members will support reps who are so unprofessional that they tell their pilot counterparts to 'Foxtrot Oscar' on an official communication. Your mad chairwoman has already had to back down on so many issues, I hope she is forced to apologise for this appalling comment. Or is her aim to damage working relationships on board to an extent that flights cannot function? Great attitude to safety and the customer.
I'm one of thousands in this company who have volunteered to take your place as you try to drive this company under. I already have my 3 day course dates (1 day extra for CSD course not yet allocated), and intend to do my utmost to undermine your strike, as it has everything to do with me.
My livelihood depends on this company remaining viable, your livelihood is not in danger if you accept the proposals. You risk the jobs of thousands to help a group of union reps retain their privileged position in the company's heirarchy, and to further the careers of professional political agitators.
I will continue to criticise Bassa as long as they continue to tell lies, and insult their colleagues. I can't believe that their members will support reps who are so unprofessional that they tell their pilot counterparts to 'Foxtrot Oscar' on an official communication. Your mad chairwoman has already had to back down on so many issues, I hope she is forced to apologise for this appalling comment. Or is her aim to damage working relationships on board to an extent that flights cannot function? Great attitude to safety and the customer.
Couldonlyaffordafiver
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: The Twilight Zone near 30W
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA and UNITE have presented new proposals!
If this is the case, why have Unite presented new proposals to BA? Surely that can't be an attempt to restart negotiations as the membership stated they didn't want that. Surely Unite listen to their own members.....
..... or is it that Unite are now starting to tighten the reins on BASSA who they know have dug them into an extremely deep hole from which they are now trying to dig themselves out before the walls cave in.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: House
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well all i can say to those Vols i hope your up to it. Have a search on the internet regarding the Sao Paulo last few days it had to flight divert into Recife with a pax brought back to life by the cabin crew. Hope the medical side of things are something you can handle something which may rest on your mind for a while if it all goes pear shape.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA should tell them just where to shove it.
I fail to see the point of negotiations at this late stage when so much damage has already been done.
Far better to let them have their strike, let the ones with sense, together with the volunteers crew as much of the operation as possible, sack the militants, then, when the strike crumbles the rest of us can get on with making BA a great company again - even with the BASSA cancer cut out it will be an uphill struggle but doable.
I fail to see the point of negotiations at this late stage when so much damage has already been done.
Far better to let them have their strike, let the ones with sense, together with the volunteers crew as much of the operation as possible, sack the militants, then, when the strike crumbles the rest of us can get on with making BA a great company again - even with the BASSA cancer cut out it will be an uphill struggle but doable.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well all i can say to those Vols i hope your up to it. Have a search on the internet regarding the Sao Paulo last few days it had to flight divert into Recife with a pax brought back to life by the cabin crew. Hope the medical side of things are something you can handle something which may rest on your mind for a while if it all goes pear shape.
Can you turn water into wine as well?
I think the volunteers will be OK.
As has been explained here many times, but you seem still to fail to grasp, the flight wont be crewed exclusively by volunteers. There will be a mix of experienced crew as well. Got that? It means on a triple, if there are 12 crew, there might be 7 volunteers and 5 experinced crew to deal with any difficult situations.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Age: 51
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will feel confident as I will be doing exactly the same training that you have been through.. Knowing Nothing On Board, will not be easy at first but like everything it all comes with confidence and a smile.. Maybe you should try the latter
Just read the BASSA / Unite / Jackanory publication "The Way Forward"!
It is COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE in it's arrogance and downright stupidity!!
I have just finished a SH tour and have had some 'interesting' discussions with various crew members. Thankfully each discussion was based on an 'adult to adult' discussion and various crew members were hugely surprised to hear some of the information that we presented. However, each and every crew I have flown with have behaved and operated in a professional manner. Well done guys!!!
IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR BASSA MEMBERS............................
What do you think a YES vote will achieve?
After BA win in the High Court, and then sue Unite for millions of pounds, what do you think your options are going to be?
If you go on strike WW will push the nuclear button and there are thousands of us now volunteering to keep OUR airline flying.
Once the strike is crushed DO NOT expect to come back to work on your existing Ts & Cs, let alone having any staff travel benefits.
There will be no easy out either. Managers will be enquiring as to your intentions in the event of a strike. Hanging up, insults, ignoring the question will be deemed to be an answer in the negative.
Please ask yourselves if this debacle is about you as an individual or about a group of greedy, untruthful and power hungry BASSA reps!!!!!
It is COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE in it's arrogance and downright stupidity!!
I have just finished a SH tour and have had some 'interesting' discussions with various crew members. Thankfully each discussion was based on an 'adult to adult' discussion and various crew members were hugely surprised to hear some of the information that we presented. However, each and every crew I have flown with have behaved and operated in a professional manner. Well done guys!!!
IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR BASSA MEMBERS............................
What do you think a YES vote will achieve?
After BA win in the High Court, and then sue Unite for millions of pounds, what do you think your options are going to be?
If you go on strike WW will push the nuclear button and there are thousands of us now volunteering to keep OUR airline flying.
Once the strike is crushed DO NOT expect to come back to work on your existing Ts & Cs, let alone having any staff travel benefits.
There will be no easy out either. Managers will be enquiring as to your intentions in the event of a strike. Hanging up, insults, ignoring the question will be deemed to be an answer in the negative.
Please ask yourselves if this debacle is about you as an individual or about a group of greedy, untruthful and power hungry BASSA reps!!!!!
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bath Road
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They did - and no talks or negotiations until the imposition has been removed - which they kept repeating.
I can't understand how UNITE's proposal would make the necessary savings - it will only cost BA more money.
I can't understand how UNITE's proposal would make the necessary savings - it will only cost BA more money.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BASSA could not care less
I am afraid the union needs to go, Yes things will change but BA crew have had it far too easy for far too long. Wake up, get in the real world. BA will not survive unless these conditions are changed.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Been off of here for a few days and just have a few things to say.
Firstly, although not to justify my stance, please be reminded that I am a 'no' voter - I think this strike threat is silly and not at all necessary.
Cresmer - We BA crew 'made our bed so should lie in it' - so why should BA pull the sheets from underneath us? As you say, we signed up for it, so why should it be changed?
Tom100 - Sorry that you have had bad experiences with crew, but I must say that I have never flown with a crew that has not gived its all for the pax.
Desertia - We must resus. for 30 mins. if no shock is advised, regardless of what any medical professional may say.
Weathermap - You are right, we do these things because that is what we are employed to do. However, on a daily basis we do things that we are actively told not to do but that we know will improve ur experience as a customer. I could give countless examples here but a few include giving away crew meals to pax. who 'apparently' ordered veg. meals online, continuing to give tomato and cranberry juice in ET on band 1-3b flights, and -one for me personally- doing a 1hr 30 round journey to drop a pensionner home to Swindon during the snow because she had missed the last bus due to delayed arrival into LHR.
Also, if I wanted to do TLV and back, then I would have worked for one of the very many respectable charter carriers that do this. If I had wanted to work for EZY, then I would have - however, I work for BA and we do not do this!
As I said at the beginning of this post, I am a defo. no voter and support the company 100% in their efforts to save money - but I will not have my profession belittled, nor my hard work go un-noticed. This is not an opportunity for an all-out witch hunt against BA crew benefits and working practices.
Firstly, although not to justify my stance, please be reminded that I am a 'no' voter - I think this strike threat is silly and not at all necessary.
Cresmer - We BA crew 'made our bed so should lie in it' - so why should BA pull the sheets from underneath us? As you say, we signed up for it, so why should it be changed?
Tom100 - Sorry that you have had bad experiences with crew, but I must say that I have never flown with a crew that has not gived its all for the pax.
Desertia - We must resus. for 30 mins. if no shock is advised, regardless of what any medical professional may say.
Weathermap - You are right, we do these things because that is what we are employed to do. However, on a daily basis we do things that we are actively told not to do but that we know will improve ur experience as a customer. I could give countless examples here but a few include giving away crew meals to pax. who 'apparently' ordered veg. meals online, continuing to give tomato and cranberry juice in ET on band 1-3b flights, and -one for me personally- doing a 1hr 30 round journey to drop a pensionner home to Swindon during the snow because she had missed the last bus due to delayed arrival into LHR.
Also, if I wanted to do TLV and back, then I would have worked for one of the very many respectable charter carriers that do this. If I had wanted to work for EZY, then I would have - however, I work for BA and we do not do this!
As I said at the beginning of this post, I am a defo. no voter and support the company 100% in their efforts to save money - but I will not have my profession belittled, nor my hard work go un-noticed. This is not an opportunity for an all-out witch hunt against BA crew benefits and working practices.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A Lurker, your comparison with Virgin Atlantic would be relevant if passengers continually reported back that BA was infinitely superior in its on board service to Virgin. That is not the case. This high turnover of staff on lower wages apparently delivers a service that a great many people find of higher quality to that of BA.
This belief that BA offers a vastly superior product to the likes of Virgin is just dreamland I'm afraid, even though personally I prefer BA.
This belief that BA offers a vastly superior product to the likes of Virgin is just dreamland I'm afraid, even though personally I prefer BA.