British Airways - CC Industrial Relations Mk VI
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Who manages BA
Flyluke, the battle is about who manages BA. When BA imposed one down working last November, Unite disagreed (which they are quite entitled to do) but lost the court case they brought against BA. But instead of accepting this, Unite demands that most of the cutbacks be restored even though they cannot find equivalent savings, and is striking over this.
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Fly Luke
If WW gets his way, he will be saving approx £140m/year from IFS.
If he spends all the £600m winning the dispute he would need only 4 and a bit years to be making a profit from the deal.
As he has already repeatedly said though, the more the strike costs the company, the more savings he will require from IFCE, so it might take considerably less time to make that investment worthwhile.
Remember, he's playing the long game, just as he's always done during this dispute.
Unite would have been wise to do the same.
If WW gets his way, he will be saving approx £140m/year from IFS.
If he spends all the £600m winning the dispute he would need only 4 and a bit years to be making a profit from the deal.
As he has already repeatedly said though, the more the strike costs the company, the more savings he will require from IFCE, so it might take considerably less time to make that investment worthwhile.
Remember, he's playing the long game, just as he's always done during this dispute.
Unite would have been wise to do the same.
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Hotline
Hotline tickets are different in that these are discounted commercial tickets which BA staff (acting as unpaid sales agents) can sell to anybody. There's no real benefit to BA in withdrawing from strikers the right to sell them .
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The robust intervention of Lord Adonis offers some comfort to the majority of BA staff, the Company and passengers. At least he has spelled out, in a few clear paragraphs, what some people on PPRuNe have been saying for weeks [perhaps he reads PPRuNe?]. Essentially, "This is NOT the cause to start a War."
Whether Unite, or more accurately Mr McCluskey, heed that voice will become clear over the next week or two. However, a conflict between Unite [a major financier of New Labour] and the Government is unlikely to lead to anything except MORE grief. But - I must not stray into politics. Let everyone hope that perhaps, with some common-sense and high-level leverage, Unite will eventually see how little support they actually have in this sad dispute.
As to the financial aspects, the loss of forward bookings and demolition of 'customer loyalty' will only become clear over several months. It is an open question as to whether Mr Walsh tries to take those losses out of the IFCE budget.
Whether Unite, or more accurately Mr McCluskey, heed that voice will become clear over the next week or two. However, a conflict between Unite [a major financier of New Labour] and the Government is unlikely to lead to anything except MORE grief. But - I must not stray into politics. Let everyone hope that perhaps, with some common-sense and high-level leverage, Unite will eventually see how little support they actually have in this sad dispute.
As to the financial aspects, the loss of forward bookings and demolition of 'customer loyalty' will only become clear over several months. It is an open question as to whether Mr Walsh tries to take those losses out of the IFCE budget.
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From the UniteBa website.
"Abusive phone calls from the public (which now are being tracked by the police for further investigation) have meant that we have had to remove our phone numbers until further notice. If you need to contact us urgently and do not have any of our numbers please email the relevant office - we will check the email system on a regular basis.
Please note: - Contact details are for the exclusive use of our members only. Please contact Unite Head Office if you are not a member. Abusive emails and phone calls will, and have, been forwarded to the police."
So if you feel the need to be abusive you'll have to contact Head Office!
On a more serious note. I'd like to see BASSA get a royal kicking over this but I fear that this dispute will severely weaken Unite and that will be to the detriment of BA's other staff groups.
"Abusive phone calls from the public (which now are being tracked by the police for further investigation) have meant that we have had to remove our phone numbers until further notice. If you need to contact us urgently and do not have any of our numbers please email the relevant office - we will check the email system on a regular basis.
Please note: - Contact details are for the exclusive use of our members only. Please contact Unite Head Office if you are not a member. Abusive emails and phone calls will, and have, been forwarded to the police."
So if you feel the need to be abusive you'll have to contact Head Office!
On a more serious note. I'd like to see BASSA get a royal kicking over this but I fear that this dispute will severely weaken Unite and that will be to the detriment of BA's other staff groups.
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Use of hotlines by striking staff
It was made clear in company communication to crew last week that hotlines are not withdrawn. This is because BA makes money out of them so they will continue - but of course there is no flexibility with those tickets. Although hotlines can only be purchased by BA staff they are not strictly speaking part of the staff travel scheme. Those who believe BASSA when it says staff travel must be given back by the company, before you risk it think carefully of who has been right on every single legal issue over the past year and who has been wrong...it would be brave to trust BASSA's legal interpretation in my view!
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Andyismyname,
Here's the official line which says that Hotline concessions may be withdrawn:
Staff Travel Guide STG 20: MISUSE OF REBATE TRAVEL CONCESSIONS
2. OUTCOME OF INVESTIGATION.
2.1 If, after investigation, a decision is taken to withdraw rebate travel concessions the minimum period over which a staff travel ban will apply is normally TWO FULL rebate travel years.
2.2 The ban will apply to all forms of rebate travel on BA, Interline Tours, travel on other airlines and may also include a ban on access to Discounted Commercial (Hotline) bookings.
Here's the official line which says that Hotline concessions may be withdrawn:
Staff Travel Guide STG 20: MISUSE OF REBATE TRAVEL CONCESSIONS
2. OUTCOME OF INVESTIGATION.
2.1 If, after investigation, a decision is taken to withdraw rebate travel concessions the minimum period over which a staff travel ban will apply is normally TWO FULL rebate travel years.
2.2 The ban will apply to all forms of rebate travel on BA, Interline Tours, travel on other airlines and may also include a ban on access to Discounted Commercial (Hotline) bookings.
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Speaking as an outsider, I just want to say- don't cave, WW is playing a game of bluff. If BA go down it will not be because of this dispute. If this action was really going to bring BA down- WW would cave before the strike, if not you strike until that threat exists and then WW will cave. WW's responsibility is to his bonus- put in place by the shareholders in order to ensure his performance, if he were to allow BA to fail because he wouldn't back down to a union, then he would lose his job and his bonus. It really is as simple as that, if you stay united(he bets that you won't),and stay strong, then you will win, he is in the position of weakness and he knows it. GOOD LUCK!!
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As I see it, there has been no misuse of staff travel. The withdrawal is a punishment for taking industrial action. If money can be made with hotlines, then why remove them?
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Caribbean Boy, you are right that the company can withdraw hotline access if it wants to, but the policy you quote applies to misuse of staff travel, it does not mean that the company will automatically withdraw hotlines as a result of crew taking strike action. Indeed the very policy you quote says that "the ban WILL apply to all forms of rebate travel on BA, Interline Tours, travel on other airlines and MAY also include a ban on access to Discounted Commercial (Hotline) bookings"... and the other important difference is that BA is saying that this time the ban is a permanent ban.
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polax52
I best go and get a few more bottles of wine. Your post will no doubt be countered from all angles over the next few hours and 24 isn't on until 2100. Some interesting reading ahead methinks!
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Willie Walsh's bonus
polax52,
Two years ago, after the less than impressive T5 opening, WW waived his right to his annual bonus which cost him £300,000. So, I don't think he is too hung up about his bonus.
Two years ago, after the less than impressive T5 opening, WW waived his right to his annual bonus which cost him £300,000. So, I don't think he is too hung up about his bonus.
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Hello Caribbean Boy
Re. your last post.
Might want to check your figures!
Clarified, clarifying.
Polax52
In my view it demonstrates integrity, taking responsibility and moving on.
My view on previous post, not my employers or any other party.
Might want to check your figures!
Clarified, clarifying.
Polax52
In my view it demonstrates integrity, taking responsibility and moving on.
My view on previous post, not my employers or any other party.
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I truly do not believe that Willie Walsh is doing his job for the money. There is something uniquely challenging about the airline business, and it's in his blood. Remember, he was pilot at the age of 17, so he's been in the business all his life.
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Public Sympathy
Seems to me that there is very little of it.
Joe Public cant understand why BA CC get paid 33% more than the next highest paying UK airline (easyjet) for better working conditions (e.g. Easyjet never schedules crew stopovers) and are about to go on strike.
The public have considerable sympathy for WW who is defimitely out to break the power of Bassa.
Aginst the war chest he has accumulated, it's very difficult to see the union having a chance of winning.
Even the government in the form of Lord Adonis seems to have weighed in on the side of BA management, pretty surprising considering the extent that Unite bankrolls the Labour Party.
As far as nationalisation to solve BA's problems, it's against numerous EC rules, and the public would not stand for pouring taxpayers money into yet another failing enterprise.
Go back to your good well paid jobs while you still can (oh yes, did you notice that several airlines have gone belly up recently?)
I hope that there are enough sensible heads who want BA to succeed and value customer service and are willing to work normally during these strikes so that the millitants are defeated
Joe Public cant understand why BA CC get paid 33% more than the next highest paying UK airline (easyjet) for better working conditions (e.g. Easyjet never schedules crew stopovers) and are about to go on strike.
The public have considerable sympathy for WW who is defimitely out to break the power of Bassa.
Aginst the war chest he has accumulated, it's very difficult to see the union having a chance of winning.
Even the government in the form of Lord Adonis seems to have weighed in on the side of BA management, pretty surprising considering the extent that Unite bankrolls the Labour Party.
As far as nationalisation to solve BA's problems, it's against numerous EC rules, and the public would not stand for pouring taxpayers money into yet another failing enterprise.
Go back to your good well paid jobs while you still can (oh yes, did you notice that several airlines have gone belly up recently?)
I hope that there are enough sensible heads who want BA to succeed and value customer service and are willing to work normally during these strikes so that the millitants are defeated
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Westie
Ball is now firmly in Len's court - and he is more concerned with his perceived position within the union than both his members and BA passengers.
Remember - Fri - Unite had a proposal from BA, they said that they were prepared to allow a 3 week extension to the strike mandate to allow them to consult their members - this offer was subject to no strikes dates being announced.
Loony Len that decided that he could ignore conditions and announced strike dates. Also of interest is the fact that Unite / BASSA were saying on Fri that they would have been unable to recommend acceptance of the BA offer to their members.
The weekend - the BA offer becomes public - Len starts to understand that the members he is supposed to represent have sight of what had been offered and realise that it was a fair and reasonable one. Unite now want the offer that they couldn't recommend on Fri put back on the table for their members to vote on now.
This isn't going to happen as BA's costs as a result of the stike being announced have gone up considerably - buying in seats from other carriers, wet lease of aircraft, sales falling off, reputational damage etc. All of which WW has made clear will be added to the cost reduction target for CC.
So in escence - ask Len! Is he prepared to do the job that he is paid to do, ie get the post possible deal for his members or is his personal standing within the union more important to him??
I know this covers old ground, but this is a fair representation of where we are currently and who needs to review and update their present stance.
I personally hope that Len has his wings clipped and that the strike is called off, BA's additional costs minimised, BA allow their offering to be tabled again, and my old colleages get on with doing what they do best - look after passengers in a superb manner.
If not its end game time for BASSA
Remember - Fri - Unite had a proposal from BA, they said that they were prepared to allow a 3 week extension to the strike mandate to allow them to consult their members - this offer was subject to no strikes dates being announced.
Loony Len that decided that he could ignore conditions and announced strike dates. Also of interest is the fact that Unite / BASSA were saying on Fri that they would have been unable to recommend acceptance of the BA offer to their members.
The weekend - the BA offer becomes public - Len starts to understand that the members he is supposed to represent have sight of what had been offered and realise that it was a fair and reasonable one. Unite now want the offer that they couldn't recommend on Fri put back on the table for their members to vote on now.
This isn't going to happen as BA's costs as a result of the stike being announced have gone up considerably - buying in seats from other carriers, wet lease of aircraft, sales falling off, reputational damage etc. All of which WW has made clear will be added to the cost reduction target for CC.
So in escence - ask Len! Is he prepared to do the job that he is paid to do, ie get the post possible deal for his members or is his personal standing within the union more important to him??
I know this covers old ground, but this is a fair representation of where we are currently and who needs to review and update their present stance.
I personally hope that Len has his wings clipped and that the strike is called off, BA's additional costs minimised, BA allow their offering to be tabled again, and my old colleages get on with doing what they do best - look after passengers in a superb manner.
If not its end game time for BASSA
Last edited by cym; 14th Mar 2010 at 18:37. Reason: spelling