British Airways - CC Industrial Relations Mk VI
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LHR
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Latest from BASSA:
Industrial action is and will always be a regrettable last and final option. It is important that we emphasise LAST option.
Industrial action or even the threat of industrial action causes everybody concern, worry and sleepless nights.
Unite is your union and as your union we have a responsibility and a duty to try every option that we possibly can to avert strike action.
We have been busy since the beginning of January trying to do exactly that.
Have we been successful yet? So far, No.
Will we keep trying? Yes.
Will we keep trying until the point when there simply is no other option? Again Yes.
We have acted with professionalism, with dignity and with patience to try and find a solution to an array of complex issues.
The talks have covered:
A permanent cost saving solution
Protection and on going commitment to honour existing agreements.
Protection of current crew - Earnings, agreements, promotion, leave, staff travel and routes operated.
A new mixed flying fleet.
Ability to transfer to existing fleets for LHR and LGW crew.
Access to part time contracts.
Disruption Agreement.
Crewing levels.
We are attempting to ensure a safe, more secure and a better future for all current crew. In short, ensuring British Airways is a better place to work moving forward than it is currently.
British Airways management side appear on occasions to be less than enthusiastic about achieving this success; instead preferring a more confrontational approach. At times they appear desperate to provoke a dispute, perhaps to create the stage, upon which they can perform their finest "tragedy" or soap opera, depending on your taste and to show the world, what a tough, hard nosed management they really are.
It is unlikely that today’s much publicised Waterside briefing by Mr Walsh will be conciliatory. The content will more than likely be glorious self justifying details of his plans to "smash" any strike.
It truly is such a shame that as much energy as not been put into solving this dispute as opposed to trying to break it.
In many ways it would be far easier to have negotiated a deal to put one crew member back on our aircraft, than devise plans to put "thousands of volunteers" on instead.
Numerous confrontational ESS communications, the deliberate scheduling by Mr Walsh of this hour long "industrial dispute" update to all staff at the exact point where talks have reached a critical and fragile stage, along side the insistence of holding disciplinaries for several of our negotiating team this very week, and the petty gesture whereby the very reps involved in trying to reach an agreement having their basic pay subtracted for any days spent trying to find that solution- are not helpful, and resemble more of a stick than an olive branch.
This will not distract us in anyway as we remain focused on the task ahead of us. It’s not easy but if we can achieve it, it will be a welcome relief for everybody and that is of course our preferred option.
If we cannot, it will not be from want of trying, but because there are no other options left and if industrial strike action is necessary, then that is exactly what we will do, having done all that we absolutely possibly can to avoid it.
Don’t feel isolated and alone, our safety and our strength and our best chance of achieving a deal is by remaining together, every single person plays a part in that, every single person that abandons their friends and colleagues sends out a message.
No matter how they justify it to themselves, it undermines that strength.
These are worrying times for us all, don’t just expect others to give you strength and confidence, if you are on a flight and you talk to people that have doubts- that are only natural- put your arm around them and give them your strength.
Prepare yourselves, whether that be for the best or the worst... As that time is coming...
Industrial action or even the threat of industrial action causes everybody concern, worry and sleepless nights.
Unite is your union and as your union we have a responsibility and a duty to try every option that we possibly can to avert strike action.
We have been busy since the beginning of January trying to do exactly that.
Have we been successful yet? So far, No.
Will we keep trying? Yes.
Will we keep trying until the point when there simply is no other option? Again Yes.
We have acted with professionalism, with dignity and with patience to try and find a solution to an array of complex issues.
The talks have covered:
A permanent cost saving solution
Protection and on going commitment to honour existing agreements.
Protection of current crew - Earnings, agreements, promotion, leave, staff travel and routes operated.
A new mixed flying fleet.
Ability to transfer to existing fleets for LHR and LGW crew.
Access to part time contracts.
Disruption Agreement.
Crewing levels.
We are attempting to ensure a safe, more secure and a better future for all current crew. In short, ensuring British Airways is a better place to work moving forward than it is currently.
British Airways management side appear on occasions to be less than enthusiastic about achieving this success; instead preferring a more confrontational approach. At times they appear desperate to provoke a dispute, perhaps to create the stage, upon which they can perform their finest "tragedy" or soap opera, depending on your taste and to show the world, what a tough, hard nosed management they really are.
It is unlikely that today’s much publicised Waterside briefing by Mr Walsh will be conciliatory. The content will more than likely be glorious self justifying details of his plans to "smash" any strike.
It truly is such a shame that as much energy as not been put into solving this dispute as opposed to trying to break it.
In many ways it would be far easier to have negotiated a deal to put one crew member back on our aircraft, than devise plans to put "thousands of volunteers" on instead.
Numerous confrontational ESS communications, the deliberate scheduling by Mr Walsh of this hour long "industrial dispute" update to all staff at the exact point where talks have reached a critical and fragile stage, along side the insistence of holding disciplinaries for several of our negotiating team this very week, and the petty gesture whereby the very reps involved in trying to reach an agreement having their basic pay subtracted for any days spent trying to find that solution- are not helpful, and resemble more of a stick than an olive branch.
This will not distract us in anyway as we remain focused on the task ahead of us. It’s not easy but if we can achieve it, it will be a welcome relief for everybody and that is of course our preferred option.
If we cannot, it will not be from want of trying, but because there are no other options left and if industrial strike action is necessary, then that is exactly what we will do, having done all that we absolutely possibly can to avoid it.
Don’t feel isolated and alone, our safety and our strength and our best chance of achieving a deal is by remaining together, every single person plays a part in that, every single person that abandons their friends and colleagues sends out a message.
No matter how they justify it to themselves, it undermines that strength.
These are worrying times for us all, don’t just expect others to give you strength and confidence, if you are on a flight and you talk to people that have doubts- that are only natural- put your arm around them and give them your strength.
Prepare yourselves, whether that be for the best or the worst... As that time is coming...
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: london
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just out of presentation. BA are well prepared, determined and not backing down. I am amazed that BASSA still seem to want to go ahead with a strike. Having watched the presentation I know for sure there will only be one winner in this.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: The Basque Country
Age: 75
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'Some movement' in BA strike negotiations - Channel 4 News
How long can talks go on?
I don`t know what WW is saying today but the fact remains if he leaves BASSA intact the company and customers will NEVER be rid of strike uncertainty and being held to ransome periodically.
Perhaps he is waiting for BASSA to press the self destruct button.
How long can talks go on?
I don`t know what WW is saying today but the fact remains if he leaves BASSA intact the company and customers will NEVER be rid of strike uncertainty and being held to ransome periodically.
Perhaps he is waiting for BASSA to press the self destruct button.
WW and BF will not allow BASSA to remain a thorn in the side of BA. BASSA will be brought into the 21st century and encouraged to learn how to negotiate on behalf of their members.
Resisting change and 'fighting to keep your T&Cs' is avoiding the realities of the business.
From the Time Online interview cited by Papillon the crew member believes she will lose her job in a few years any way so she is prepared for one last ditch attempt to stop any changes to her current way of life. That is not negotiating.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: 39'000ft
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Latest from BASSA:
"In many ways it would be far easier to have negotiated a deal to put one crew member back on our aircraft, than devise plans to put "thousands of volunteers" on instead."
Are there still going on about this, have they fogotten about the court verdict
,
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...and the traffic figures are out also: -
British Airways traffic - measured in revenue passenger kilometres - rose by 1.1% in February over last year.
Passenger capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, was down 1.9%.
This resulted in a passenger load factor increase of 2.2 points versus last year, to 74.2%.
Traffic comprised a 5.0% increase in premium traffic and a 0.3% increase in non-premium traffic.
Last year's traffic data was affected by significant weather disruption in the first week of the month. Cargo, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, rose by 9.2%.
Passenger capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, was down 1.9%.
This resulted in a passenger load factor increase of 2.2 points versus last year, to 74.2%.
Traffic comprised a 5.0% increase in premium traffic and a 0.3% increase in non-premium traffic.
Last year's traffic data was affected by significant weather disruption in the first week of the month. Cargo, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, rose by 9.2%.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BASSA
"In many ways it would be far easier to have negotiated a deal to put one crew member back on our aircraft, than devise plans to put "thousands of volunteers" on instead."
In many ways it would be far easier if BA just gave us exactly what we want
Time for this particular old nag to be put down and turned in to glue I reckon!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: 39'000ft
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BASSA
We are attempting to ensure a safe, more secure and a better future for all current
crew. In short, ensuring British Airways is a better place to work moving forward
than it is currently.
We are attempting to ensure a safe, more secure and a better future for all current
crew. In short, ensuring British Airways is a better place to work moving forward
than it is currently.
well done BASSA
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: brighton
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bassa
quote from BASSA
``Prepare yourselves, whether that be for the best or the worst... As that time is coming...``
Is that a ``well we did tell you the consequences`` moment??
``Prepare yourselves, whether that be for the best or the worst... As that time is coming...``
Is that a ``well we did tell you the consequences`` moment??
Another quote from BASSA:
"... if you are on a flight and you talk to people that have doubts- that are only natural- put your arm around them....."
Don't.
In the current climate, with the emphasis BA management is placing on countering bullying and harrasment, that is a course of action that is extremely ill advised and really isn't the cleverest thing for BASSA to be encouraging it's members to do......
"... if you are on a flight and you talk to people that have doubts- that are only natural- put your arm around them....."
Don't.
In the current climate, with the emphasis BA management is placing on countering bullying and harrasment, that is a course of action that is extremely ill advised and really isn't the cleverest thing for BASSA to be encouraging it's members to do......
Last edited by wiggy; 3rd Mar 2010 at 14:49.
The main points of Willie’s talk were:
- He is not playing games, and his slide had NOT BACKING DOWN in capitals.
- Crew member will absolutely NOT be reinstated
- Unite have held a grand total of 2.5 hours meetings with BA in last 2 weeks!!
- Strikers WILL lose ST and it will not form any part of a 'back to work' deal.
- If they strike 70 % LGW crew have indicated they will work so they are planning a full LGW LH op and 50 % short haul.
- At LHR they strongly believe many crew will not strike and are planning 100% 777 op and 50 % airbus op.
- At LCY normal operation.
- If strike is for long duration they will cope and it will hasten in New Fleet.
- New Fleet is coming but no time scale mentioned.
- 1000 volunteers already trained up.
- Up to 23 aircraft with wet lease capacity onboard, as well as secured seats on other airlines.
Fighting talk indeed.
bassa WILL NOT be allowed to destroy OUR airline!!!
- He is not playing games, and his slide had NOT BACKING DOWN in capitals.
- Crew member will absolutely NOT be reinstated
- Unite have held a grand total of 2.5 hours meetings with BA in last 2 weeks!!
- Strikers WILL lose ST and it will not form any part of a 'back to work' deal.
- If they strike 70 % LGW crew have indicated they will work so they are planning a full LGW LH op and 50 % short haul.
- At LHR they strongly believe many crew will not strike and are planning 100% 777 op and 50 % airbus op.
- At LCY normal operation.
- If strike is for long duration they will cope and it will hasten in New Fleet.
- New Fleet is coming but no time scale mentioned.
- 1000 volunteers already trained up.
- Up to 23 aircraft with wet lease capacity onboard, as well as secured seats on other airlines.
Fighting talk indeed.
bassa WILL NOT be allowed to destroy OUR airline!!!
Last edited by Sporran; 3rd Mar 2010 at 15:40.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Confrontation will not solve BA dispute says Unite
Above from Len McCluskey.
If Mr Walsh has announced that there have only been two hours of talks, good. It's frankly about time that BA started to actually make statements such as this, and for my part I know which version I believe.
"Any suggestion that we have had only two hours talks in two weeks is utter nonsense."
If Mr Walsh has announced that there have only been two hours of talks, good. It's frankly about time that BA started to actually make statements such as this, and for my part I know which version I believe.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So what now? It's fighting talk indeed from Walsh, and it's hard to see where it can go from here except either capitulation from the union or indeed a strike, either way you simply can't see anything except complete disaster for BASSA/UNITE. Given that this is now out in the media, I can't even realistically see how they can extract themselves from this saving a degree of face.
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: Europe
Age: 53
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Up to 23 airlines with wet lease capacity onboard, as well as secured seats on other airlines.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This from a BA communication to all employees.
"Unite has repeatedly demanded that we reverse our modest changes to crew
complements on flights from Heathrow. These changes - which the High Court
has ruled were valid, reasonable and did not breach crews’ contracts – save
our company around £60m a year. They have not reduced crew earnings at all.
At the TUC, Unite has again proposed reversing the changes – and finding
£60m savings from elsewhere. They have not been clear on how these savings
would be achieved – and I am not surprised. You cannot make equivalent
savings without cutting basic pay and/or allowances for every crew member
by around £1,500 to £2,500 a year"
"Unite has repeatedly demanded that we reverse our modest changes to crew
complements on flights from Heathrow. These changes - which the High Court
has ruled were valid, reasonable and did not breach crews’ contracts – save
our company around £60m a year. They have not reduced crew earnings at all.
At the TUC, Unite has again proposed reversing the changes – and finding
£60m savings from elsewhere. They have not been clear on how these savings
would be achieved – and I am not surprised. You cannot make equivalent
savings without cutting basic pay and/or allowances for every crew member
by around £1,500 to £2,500 a year"