British Airways - CC Industrial Relations Mk VI
How it works....
There have been some assumptions in this thread recently about how things work in the murky world of Government, the Labour Party, Unite, and Employee Relations. Not all of those assumptions are accurate.
First of all, we need to stop thinking of this stuff as "middle class values" being enacted. Politics, both parties, and TUs (and, I guess, the CBI/IOD, but I don't know about them) are places where immense egos clash in a Hobbesian war of "every man against every man", where you either win, or lose. For losers, their life in that world of power is "nasty, brutish, and short".
In politics, there is sometimes a veneer of a social contract between warring factions within each party, but they don't last long.
In the TUs, the social contract is made contractural. Thus, even tho' Simpson and his mates might not like what McCluskey does, he can't fire him. McCluskey can be as economical with the truth as he wants to be, but he can't be fired except in very special circumstances, and even then, the appeal procedure is so long that we'd all be dead before it is over. (The G & M TU is very different).
When politics and TUs come to-gether, the normal rule is "to follow the money". Unite will fund approx. 50% of Labour's re-election campaign, and have given Labour about 24% of their total funding over the last 10 years.
However, in this instance, there is a large banana skin..............which the Tories have spotted.
What do Labour want most? To be re-elected, or to help Unite fight BA???? No surprises in the answer.
Their no.1 to no. 10 priority is to be re-elected. To be seen to be helping Unite in the BA dispute would not be wise. Anyway, they've already given Unite 6 guaranteed safe seats, so labour are currently "in credit" with Unite.
The spin-masters are now in charge of the labour Government's interaction with the BA dispute. Whilst Campbell and Whelan are reputed to be less than friendly with each other, they are running the show for Labour.
When it comes to the BA CC, if you think that McCluskey has no interest in Crew's best interests, Whelan and Campbell will willingly sacrifice BA CC for their political "leaders".
Awful, but that's the way it is.
As to the dispute itself, we can all stop contributing now, as Diplome seems to have the best handle on what will happen!!
First of all, we need to stop thinking of this stuff as "middle class values" being enacted. Politics, both parties, and TUs (and, I guess, the CBI/IOD, but I don't know about them) are places where immense egos clash in a Hobbesian war of "every man against every man", where you either win, or lose. For losers, their life in that world of power is "nasty, brutish, and short".
In politics, there is sometimes a veneer of a social contract between warring factions within each party, but they don't last long.
In the TUs, the social contract is made contractural. Thus, even tho' Simpson and his mates might not like what McCluskey does, he can't fire him. McCluskey can be as economical with the truth as he wants to be, but he can't be fired except in very special circumstances, and even then, the appeal procedure is so long that we'd all be dead before it is over. (The G & M TU is very different).
When politics and TUs come to-gether, the normal rule is "to follow the money". Unite will fund approx. 50% of Labour's re-election campaign, and have given Labour about 24% of their total funding over the last 10 years.
However, in this instance, there is a large banana skin..............which the Tories have spotted.
What do Labour want most? To be re-elected, or to help Unite fight BA???? No surprises in the answer.
Their no.1 to no. 10 priority is to be re-elected. To be seen to be helping Unite in the BA dispute would not be wise. Anyway, they've already given Unite 6 guaranteed safe seats, so labour are currently "in credit" with Unite.
The spin-masters are now in charge of the labour Government's interaction with the BA dispute. Whilst Campbell and Whelan are reputed to be less than friendly with each other, they are running the show for Labour.
When it comes to the BA CC, if you think that McCluskey has no interest in Crew's best interests, Whelan and Campbell will willingly sacrifice BA CC for their political "leaders".
Awful, but that's the way it is.
As to the dispute itself, we can all stop contributing now, as Diplome seems to have the best handle on what will happen!!
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Yes, but the company is already losing money. They know which routes make money and those that don't. Cutting a loss making route doesn't really cost much money!
The longhaul routes announced at 1pm that will still be running are the ones BA needs to keep the cash flowing in. 23 wet lease aeroplanes are scheduled to arrive at T5 on Friday night to fly the profitable shorthaul routes.
With £2,000 million in the bank, and a streamlined, cash flow targeted schedule running, who is going to run out of cash first? BA or your average crew member?
All CC volunteers have been told to be prepared to work as CC for up to 3 months, BA can and WILL break this strike.
The longhaul routes announced at 1pm that will still be running are the ones BA needs to keep the cash flowing in. 23 wet lease aeroplanes are scheduled to arrive at T5 on Friday night to fly the profitable shorthaul routes.
With £2,000 million in the bank, and a streamlined, cash flow targeted schedule running, who is going to run out of cash first? BA or your average crew member?
All CC volunteers have been told to be prepared to work as CC for up to 3 months, BA can and WILL break this strike.
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Internally within Unite, this is the day Len lost
I can't help think that Brown's comments are all part of the internal power struggle at Unite. Given the amount of money Labour get from Unite, i'd be very surprised if his comments weren't given the tacit approval of Woodley/Simpson, who have both realised that McCluskey would be a complete liability if he were to get the General Secretary job.
That's not how TUs work.
Before he was elected, Bill Morris of the T & G was seen as a major liability.
Some skilled electioneering by his election "agent" within the T & G and Bill was elected. Then he became a "Senior Statesman". Lord, and etc. (Shortly after his election, he "fired/promoted" his election agent, who knew too much, and got him a job in Brussels)
McCluskey is only using BA CC for publicity. He's in the "any publicity is good publicity" camp. At least the members will know his name.
The BA CC should feel abused by this.
Before he was elected, Bill Morris of the T & G was seen as a major liability.
Some skilled electioneering by his election "agent" within the T & G and Bill was elected. Then he became a "Senior Statesman". Lord, and etc. (Shortly after his election, he "fired/promoted" his election agent, who knew too much, and got him a job in Brussels)
McCluskey is only using BA CC for publicity. He's in the "any publicity is good publicity" camp. At least the members will know his name.
The BA CC should feel abused by this.
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Ancient Observer:
That certainly got a chuckle out of me 
The dynamics surrounding this "clash of the titans" are fluid to say the least.
Your comments regarding the political aspect were interesting in the extreme.
I'm not sure I would view it as benignly as Snas, and the conservatives did a rather effective, and expected, backing of Gordon Brown into a corner.
Right now Unite/BASSA is, in my opinion, in the uncomfortable position of having to be reactive rather than proactive. If BA can manage to maintain a professional level of communications to the public, showing concern for crew the flying public, with no verbal crowing, the game is definitely playing in their favor at the moment.
I still believe that Unite would enjoy taking some of the BASSA leaders who got them off to such a bad start in this adventure, "to the woodshed".
As to the dispute itself, we can all stop contributing now, as Diplome seems to have the best handle on what will happen!!
The dynamics surrounding this "clash of the titans" are fluid to say the least.
Your comments regarding the political aspect were interesting in the extreme.
I'm not sure I would view it as benignly as Snas, and the conservatives did a rather effective, and expected, backing of Gordon Brown into a corner.
Right now Unite/BASSA is, in my opinion, in the uncomfortable position of having to be reactive rather than proactive. If BA can manage to maintain a professional level of communications to the public, showing concern for crew the flying public, with no verbal crowing, the game is definitely playing in their favor at the moment.
I still believe that Unite would enjoy taking some of the BASSA leaders who got them off to such a bad start in this adventure, "to the woodshed".
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Cutting a loss making route doesn't really cost much money!
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FRUITBAT
If I was a volunteer CC being told they might be going to be CC for 3 months I'd be more worried that my old job might not be there when i got back....
Sounds as though other Dept's are over manned also...
If I was a volunteer CC being told they might be going to be CC for 3 months I'd be more worried that my old job might not be there when i got back....
Sounds as though other Dept's are over manned also...
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WW is speaking right now. Just wait and see. There is a very advanced and comprehensive plan in place....
BA can keep running with these plans in place. How long can the CC avoid paying those mortgage payments/ bills/ credit cards etc etc?
Mr Angry, the volunteers have been released from their positions because there will be a reduced schedule, hence plenty of spare people to man the doors!
BA can keep running with these plans in place. How long can the CC avoid paying those mortgage payments/ bills/ credit cards etc etc?
Mr Angry, the volunteers have been released from their positions because there will be a reduced schedule, hence plenty of spare people to man the doors!
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Sickies
Why, if you are convinced you have a valid grievance and you vote for strike action, would you then pretend not to be on strike by pulling a sickie?!! This strikes me as cowardice?!
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Cowardice indeed, but before the last 'strike' BA received nearly a thousand calls from cabin crew going 'sick' in the few hours before the strike!
Unfortunately for CC, BA knows this will happen and are going to be far more robust in challenging this 'sickness' this time....
Unfortunately for CC, BA knows this will happen and are going to be far more robust in challenging this 'sickness' this time....
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Pacamack, Its called lack of integrity. If someone votes to strike and actually strikes, because they believe that is their only option, then whether or not anybody else agrees with them at least they would be respected for their opinion and courage. Those who vote to strike and then turn up for work or pretend to be sick will have no respect from their colleagues but be seen as being weak and with no courage of their own convictions.
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fruitbat:
I think you are absolutely correct.
Any cabin crew that are thinking of gaming the system by calling in sick should think long and hard about what they will be risking.
If BA has taught us anything through this process its that they will think ahead regarding what to expect, what to prepare for, and will take action against those cabin crew acting against the airlines interests.
I think you are absolutely correct.
Any cabin crew that are thinking of gaming the system by calling in sick should think long and hard about what they will be risking.
If BA has taught us anything through this process its that they will think ahead regarding what to expect, what to prepare for, and will take action against those cabin crew acting against the airlines interests.
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Its going to be a very lonely place..... sat at home when your report time passes, knowing loads of your colleagues have decided to look after 'number one' and go into work as normal.....
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Just been called by my company's crewing dept - I have 10 days off at the moment - asked if I had plans or would I like to give the days back as we have been asked to send 3 737's to London (from NL) to fly for BA coming weekend.....
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I think it is absolutely vital that BASSA members find out what their reps are doing. We know BA will refuse to let them take time off for union duties, and all leave has been cancelled.
If the reps don't go on strike having called their members out, then they are nothing but charlatans and hypocrites.
I hope we have some concerned BASSA members here that can find out and put them under the microscope.
If the reps don't go on strike having called their members out, then they are nothing but charlatans and hypocrites.
I hope we have some concerned BASSA members here that can find out and put them under the microscope.
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What will be interesting to watch is how BA management will try to push striking CC into leaving the company even after the IA is over. From their standpoint the end game is not breaking the strike, it is getting rid of CC who participated and supported it. Permanent revocation of non contractual privileges seems a step in this direction.
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That comment is as arbitrary as saying you have a sense of solidarity, knowing that 7000+ colleagues are supporting the actions that the majority have agreed to take.
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Oh dear! The run-up to IA is taking its toll and someone has said that only 500 will be striking. I rather think it will be less, or at least I hope it will. With McCluskey, Simpson and others all vieing for the position of Gen Sec it will be a bloodbath at Unite, not next week because as someone said McCluskey lost today.
I don't for one minute think they care about a strike or the CC's. That is criminal and playing with people's lives - and its been done before. It is understandable that some of the cabin crew will argue with each other being on one side or another. But I do worry that they could be the losers if they play Unites tune. All of you in many different ways have responsibilities but the main one is to yourself. I don't have an axe to grind I am simply retired from the business and it breaks my heart to see this stupid situation break yours. Please think carefully. You'll be no worse off if you go to work next week. God bless.
I don't for one minute think they care about a strike or the CC's. That is criminal and playing with people's lives - and its been done before. It is understandable that some of the cabin crew will argue with each other being on one side or another. But I do worry that they could be the losers if they play Unites tune. All of you in many different ways have responsibilities but the main one is to yourself. I don't have an axe to grind I am simply retired from the business and it breaks my heart to see this stupid situation break yours. Please think carefully. You'll be no worse off if you go to work next week. God bless.
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Yes Litebulb
But how are you going to know for sure that everyone else is taking action as they promised? With BA offering taxi's, and other incognito ways of coming into work, many aren't going to take the risk of losing their job...
Imagine the scene on the BASSA forum on Sat morning.
A USER1; "So guys what are we going to do with our Sat off, anyone up for meeting in the pub to toast our solidarity and the end of Willie?"
....... SILENCE
A USER1; "Guys come on....Anyone??
...... SILENCE
Everyone else is out of text and email range..... on a plane at work!
But how are you going to know for sure that everyone else is taking action as they promised? With BA offering taxi's, and other incognito ways of coming into work, many aren't going to take the risk of losing their job...
Imagine the scene on the BASSA forum on Sat morning.
A USER1; "So guys what are we going to do with our Sat off, anyone up for meeting in the pub to toast our solidarity and the end of Willie?"
....... SILENCE
A USER1; "Guys come on....Anyone??
...... SILENCE
Everyone else is out of text and email range..... on a plane at work!