British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)

[BAAlltheway]

Even if everyone else decides to tell the strikers that they are supported and cherished, I just wanted to put it out there that they most certainly are not.

Whilst i do empathise with FBM's somewhat harsh statement above, and reluctantly agree that unfortunately it does now represent the view of many inside and outside BA, i would like to reaffirm that that is not how i or most of the BA folks i know view ALL crew.

We now know that the majority of crew (according to numbers of actual yes votes as % of all crew, regardlesss of BASSA spin) do not support this latest action.

Whilst antipathy to the remaining BASSA-ites grows, certainly at least in the circles i move in, there is immense sympathy for the rest of the BA CC who unfortuntately, are being hoist by the petards of their millitant collegues.

Once i again, should these strikes actually proceed, i will be showing my support for these CC colleagues, by backing BA, by volunteering to support crew wishing to work, escorting and driving at LHR and LGW.

BAATW

[report call sign]

I think you may well be right. Bear in mind also that he has already said that if there is volcanic ash affecting the UK, he will seriously consider cancelling the first of the 5 day strikes.

Ok, so he says this is in deference to the travelling public [excuse me while I choke on a grape].

In reality it is because:

• he wants to buy time to see the outcome of the court case so as to limit Unites liabilities, which could financially ruin Unite
• he wants to minimise Unites costs as they pay out £30 per day to strikers
• he sees that BASSA are totally beaten
• he wants to disassociate himself and Unite from BASSA
• he knows that only BASSA can call off the dispute
• he knows by giving BA additional evidence that it is not about 'imposition', he can help protect Unites money for deserving (rather than undeserving) causes
• he knows that BASSA are totally out of his control.

As an aside, where has Len McClunky been for the last month or so? Is he in a Bangkok sex-club or is he in Cuba with Castro or has he been sent to Coventry?

TOPBUNK

SPOT ON
WHEN WILL THESE SHEEP UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON
Get back to work and grow up
the ones ready to take your jobs off you are getting closer and closer
read what topbunk has written above and digest! it may become too late
FUNNY how the top notch of BASSA AND UNITE has gone underground
Uuuuummmmmm wonder why!

[Bridchen]

I agree with you BAAlltheway. Most people I speak to in the airline do not hate all crew. That is our only way forward. The rest of the people trying to punish all for the minority action will be left behind. I've had private messages of support from our premium passengers and colleagues on this and other forums. That is where I take my guidance from, not a minority that want to use any crew member as a punch bag because they have no control over the actions of some. If they have no control over them, how do they expect us to? These people are not listening. I've tried, and friends have tried. We've had to agree not to contact each other any more. What else can you do? Personally I don't agree with physical attacks on persons or property. I think we just have to accept that there are elements of unilateral and extreme anger on both sides, and take our cue from the majority who lie somewhere in between.

[report call sign]

I really feel that whatever the outcome in court today UNITE are still going to be on the back foot
Its amazing that trying to save face sometimes slaps you in it!
wake up UNITE you are not too big to fall!

[Bridchen]

And I also agree with you, report call sign. The BASSA constitution was changed after the UNITE top brass (now departed) did a very bad deal on pensions for BASSA in exchange for the brilliantly orchestrated wild cat strike by Gate Gourmet being "forgotten" by BA. Unfortunately it left the power of settlement solely in the hands of the BASSA reps. In other words a bunch of berks. Every time I've gone into the BASSA office for help or advice, I've been faced with a wideboy, sitting legs akimbo on the desk, who looks at me like I've interrupted a cabinet meeting. They've lied to me personally about other matters in the past during their power struggle with BA. I despair!

[Beagle9]

Since it's all got so heavy now, how about a bit of light relief.

Go to untiteba.com and have a look at the link "Video made with BA crew imput" for 3 minutes of hilarity.

[demomonkey]

It's such a pity BASSA didn't put as much effort into checking the legality of their actions as they do with their cinematic productions. Obviously colouring in WW's eyes red, drawing horns on his pictures and making up slightly assuming 'willy' jokes consumes so much time at BASSA HQ that they forget such small trivialities.....

Another day in court. Another victory for each side's legal people (financially) and another inch in the rift between CC and BA. Plus ca change.....

[BentleyH]

Unfortunately public anger has also increased due to the fact the strikes are taking place when there is already disruption due to the Ash problem. Interesting to read comment from the public about impression created by those Tv interviews. It seems that Woodley and Co have come across as thugs. I don't believe most crew would want to be represented by a union that creates this sort of impression.

[M.Mouse]

The BASSA constitution was changed after the UNITE top brass (now departed) did a very bad deal on pensions for BASSA in exchange for the brilliantly orchestrated wild cat strike by Gate Gourmet being "forgotten" by BA.

I am sorry but that cannot go unchallenged. I have no idea about the Gate Gourmet allegation but I do know that the rabbit BALPA pulled from the hat during the intense and difficult pension negotiations benefited CC extremely well because it was applicable to ALL flying staff. If we had relied on BASSA's input the pension situation would have been very different.

[giza]

Rabbit

What Rabbit, and can we have some please. Pension agreement voted on last week for general staff was pants !

[Thunderbug]

The Rabbit that Mr Mouse is referring to was produced at the previous pension discussions approx 3 yrs ago.

[Bridchen]

Yes, what was the rabbit? Nobody told us including BALPA. I have never heard anything about this via rumour, flight crew, BA or otherwise.

[BlueUpGood]

Yes, what was the rabbit? Nobody told us including BALPA. I have never heard anything about this via rumour, flight crew, BA or otherwise.

Are you surprised? BALPA reps negotiated a significant improvement for flying staff.. including cabin crew. I will leave it to someone more versed in the agreement and with a better memory than me to provide the details. However, BASSA's input to the negotiations was zero, and so were very silent on the whole issue, other than to pillory one of the architects of the deal, a BALPA rep, for his efforts on behalf of all flying staff

Pathetic. And to think there are people who want to be represented by such people

[License to Fly]

tomorrows strike ...

passengers are not happy & BA are not happy ... a recipe for disaster

[Hotel Mode]

Just got off the staff carpark bus and lots of cabin crew were saying the words loudly :-

see you tomorrow

I think many CC have finally realised that the game is up and do not want to lose almost a months salary... Just ask yourselves, is the risk really worth any potential rewards of striking?

Or maybe they're off to bedfont?

[Bridchen]

If someone makes a statement to make a point, then at least be able to provide information or we're all !

[License to Fly]

BA granted an injuction .... and win again

Unite to appeal tomorrow though

so what does that mean now ...

[CantFlyWithoutEngine]

Injunction granted

Wooo hoooooo the strike's off, injunction granted to BA ! Hahahahahahahahaaaaa

[MarkSpeed]

Its been called off. Injunction done.

[MrBernoulli]

Anyone surprised? You shouldn't be.