British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)

[hunterboy]

BA also removed staff travel from the striking Spanish ground staff when they went on strike several years ago to prevent their jobs from being outsourced to Iberia. AFAIK, they still don't have it back.

[freddydog]

Staff Trave

From what i am reading here its not the staff travel return that is the problem but also the return of seniority with it. Now WW has said you can have staff travel back but with no seniorty which is in my opinion is right and fair, as seniority is built up from CONTNUED and LOYAL service (ie not striking and damaging the company). You will have to start again and prove yourselves. This is exactly the same for ALL STAFF.

[stormin norman]

If new contracts were given to all the present crew, even if the strike was broken you would have many thousands of hacked off staff, who however many CRM courses were given would still go to work without enthusiasum.If any previous strikes are to go by-the internal infighting has only just begun.

With BASSA is on its knees,Unite is on the back foot and the company has all it wants on the table, is it now not time for the CEO to give a little and settle this ?

[wiggy]

Stormin.

What do suggest the CEO's got left to give? The strike now seems to now be about restoring full Staff Travel to strikers and a waiver of the Company's Disciplinary process for a select few.

Firstly many of the "non-strikers" came to work because they didn't want to loose staff travel...they might just accept the strikers getting staff travel back with loss of seniority, to give the full benefit back will not go down well.

As for the disciplinaries - there's a recognised Company disciplinary procedure that applies to all employees...I don't see how any CEO could turn around and intervene in the process.

Frankly the strikers will be lucky if they are "given" their jobs back. Some think they shouldn't even get that.

[BlueUpGood]

With BASSA is on its knees,Unite is on the back foot and the company has all it wants on the table, is it now not time for the CEO to give a little and settle this ?

I, and I think all in BA bar most cabin crew, see this dispute as about finally stopping BASSA screaming strike every time BA wants to manage it's business. BASSA IMHO are not interested in properly representing it's members, just in maintaining it's status. To cave in on staff travel would be disastrous. BASSA and UNITE would be dancing in the streets, proclaiming a great victory, and be even more difficult to deal with in the future.

The line has been drawn, and Willie need to ensure the Bassamentalists never cross it again. NO to reinstatement. NO to BASSA holding us all to ransom.

[Hand Solo]

Mysterious backer

So the militants are getting very excited about Mr Mamad Kashani, who claims to be one of BAs top customers, and has been writing open letters to newspapers in support of the strikers and has visited them in Bedfont. He certainly seems an elusive customer. It appears he is the director of a property company that has a total annual turnover smaller than the travel budget of most of our major corporates but claims he is a Premier, and has also claimed he is in close contact with the board and the Chairman. Anybody else find his story a little implausible?

[BentleyH]

The schedule continues to grow by the day.
In the last 24 hours an extra daily BOS (now flying 2 out of 3) and the third daily LAX have been re-instated.
Willie does not need to negotiate with Unite. The future will be sooo much better with them left out in the cold.

[Pornpants1]

strike numbers

BASSA do not know the amount of people that have gone on strike yet. They do not have a clue. Vague estimates of claims for strike pay run at 4000 ish for both sets of industrial action.

BA know the exact number of strikers and people who have been sick, this figure is less than 3000 but great than 2500

with 30 new strikers a day its plain to see that the action is not working.

Remember for those at BFC, a full crowd means;-

people on MBTs
people on Part Time
People sick
UNITE Officials and agitators
Other UNITE branch members (turning up for freebies)
Wives, Girlfriends, Husbands, Kids and pets
Juan Odoboyo (turning up for freebies)
Oh and some strikers

Strange that the Branch Chair is on record as saying "its impossible to say at the moment"

[Atreyu]

Such a mess over something so simple? WW warned them he would remove their staff travel if they went on strike, and quelle surprise! they have their staff travel removed after they go on strike! So why Unite/BASSA feels that it should be returned with full seniority is beyond me, I mean we're not dealing with children here (or are we?), surely if you're warned of the consequences of your actions then continue to strike anyway, then you must reap what you sow. My other half works for Cityflyer and I can assure you her P60 won't be as impressive as those boys and girls over at Bedfont FC today!

Stand your ground WW

Atreyu

[ns68]

Such a mess over something so simple? WW warned them he would remove their staff travel if they went on strike, and quelle surprise! they have their staff travel removed after they go on strike! So why Unite/BASSA feels that it should be returned with full seniority is beyond me, I mean we're not dealing with children here (or are we?), surely if you're warned of the consequences of your actions then continue to strike anyway, then you must reap what you sow.

The reason why UNITE/Bassa feels that it should be returned with full seniority is because it is illegal to punish people for taking part in a LEGAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
That is the only reason why! I think I have said in a previous post that whether Willie Walsh gives it back or not is irrelevant. The courts and the law will give it back if we get to that point-(I wouldn't have a problem in waiting,it is saving me a lot of money living without staff travel and also it is saving me a lot of time in checking hotlines for other people,am not booking those either-i feel for our commuters though!) Unlike our management I really think Unite will not waste millions in legal fee,will rather talk around a table but I still think they are on the case.That's is only my view though!

[ns68]

to fly12345

Honestly,I do not know how you do it..I did try to go in, not because I agree with the changes that are coming soon for us but just for the intimidation..and i really really seriuosly thought about it..I was almost on my way.

But i couldn't.80%voted yes,the strike was announced..whether 1% or the full 80% took industrial action.. i just don t think i would feel good about myself.

[HiFlyer14]

NS68

I feel very good about the people that I have been able to assist on strike dates; and I have operated in all 3 blocks of the strike. In my entire career with BA I have never had such appreciative customers; it makes me feel quite embarrassed as I’m just doing my job.

There are worse things in life than being asked to work a bit harder. Discuss that over your Pimms at Bedfont today; I have a flight to operate.

[M2dude]

To strikers of Bedfont: The majority of crew that are working (and doing a wonderful job) are doing so because it is the right thing to do and want a secure long term future. And please don't think that it's WW against BASSA, you are fighting the whole airline. Don't bother coming back; we are better off without you

[Get Smart]

Talk about being in denial!!

The latest email from bassa goes:

Day 11 in the Bedfont, Big Brother house.

If you build it they will come...

The momentum is building, you can feel it; there is an energy about
Bedfont that is almost tangible - it's a feeling of strength of being part
of something. And seriously this is not BASSA spin, as if we would!

So many brand new XXXXers coming along to join us now, and lots of people
who went to work last time but didn't feel right doing it again - they
were nervous when they came, but every single one of them left grinning
from ear to ear. All at Bedfont applauded their bravery and were just
glad to see them.

Strikes have a way of showing a person's true character; there is no fence
to sit on with this one and it almost always proves one thing - those who
shout the loudest and have the most opinions are often the ones furthest
from the picket lines; it's often the quiet people who shine and show
their determination not to be bullied.

Bedfont is alive with gossip and rumours of who went to work and broke the
strike and who didn't. Some of these "names" are well known people in our
community and a few would be the last people that you would imagine would
cross a picket line, but they have...... so be it. We can't change that,
but for those that continue to show a true courage, a courage to stand up
not just for themselves but also for others, you deserve their thanks,
even if they don't know it. You of course, have our eternal gratitude, you
are - quite simply - what makes our job as reps worth doing and are "what
being in a union is all about" - Thank you, yet again!

New limited edition, black XXXX luggage labels are now available - make
sure you

collect yours! Management have now gone from making life as difficult as
possible for strikers, to attempting to bribe them with the offer of
lucrative trips to operate next week, the boot is well and truly
transferring to the other foot!

Donations to our strike fund continue to be delivered from all over the
country and from abroad, from all sorts of people and groups and with
incredible generosity and kindness. Some of them small, from an elderly
gentlemen who donated GBP5 through the post from his pension and some of
them massive, the steel workers of America have pledged thousand of
dollars. These will all be used along with the GBP750,000 already pledged
by Unite, to improve strike pay when the amount-per-person can be
calculated.

The open top protest bus to Speakers Corner for the "gagged crew" press
event will be leaving around 11am. The queue to get on it has already
started.

See you tomorrow for day twelve, eight o'clock prompt please!


They are seriously living in the Matrix over there at BFC!!

[fly12345]

NS68
Easy, don t spit on the plate you are eating from and don t bite the hand that feeds you.
The present offer without fantasing, speculating about the future is an acceptable and fair one, live another day to tell the tale and if there is a need and reason for another fight another time perhaps we ll talk, discuss again.
In this dispute there are no winners or losers, if we carry on we are all losers.
I have not volunteered to work you have volunteered not to.

[Wirbelsturm]

The reason why UNITE/Bassa feels that it should be returned with full seniority is because it is illegal to punish people for taking part in a LEGAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
That is the only reason why! I think I have said in a previous post that whether Willie Walsh gives it back or not is irrelevant. The courts and the law will give it back if we get to that point-(I wouldn't have a problem in waiting,it is saving me a lot of money living without staff travel and also it is saving me a lot of time in checking hotlines for other people,am not booking those either-i feel for our commuters though!) Unlike our management I really think Unite will not waste millions in legal fee,will rather talk around a table but I still think they are on the case.That's is only my view though!

Firstly, staff travel, as a perk, can be removed for any reason. It is not contractural thus it doesn't appear on your tax bill. The company clearly stated that, for strikers, ST would be withdrawn if they took action against the company to cover the costs of non complience with the required cost savings measures for each department. I seem to remember that they were quite clear on the point that each member that didn't turn up to work would be required to contibute to the savings by having their travel perks removed.

A petty point indeed but lets just think how that would stand up in court? Victimisation? Not really.

Unlike our management I really think Unite will not waste millions in legal fee,will rather talk around a table but I still think they are on the case.That's is only my view though

You can't. Your Union, BASSA, held a 'show of hands' which concluded that no further negotiation should take place. Have a look on You Tube, it's probably still on there, you know the one, 'It is with great sorrow.....' etc. followed by rousing cheers and whooping. Priceless.

But i couldn't.80%voted yes,the strike was announced..whether 1% or the full 80% took industrial action.. i just don t think i would feel good about myself.

80% of 60% resulting in just about 53% voting in a non-anonymous ballot (participants were required to enter their deatils for login purposes! Not going to squirrel away that SQL database are we!) over what? Even the original ballot contained no information as to what IA was being taken about. Add in your own greivance as long as you vote yes.

When Crew woke up to the reality of the situation and the mess that both Unite and BASSA are in coupled with the consequences that we could all be out of a job they took a reality check and came to work.

In history the majority of major airlines that have gone bust have done so in the 18 months that follow a recession.

[ns68]

On my last flight on a STRIKE DATE, there was a lady, probably only in her early 40s, whose husband had died suddenly while they were away. He was in a coffin in the hold; she had his belongings and his laptop on her knee. I spent a long time talking to the lady, feeling somewhat helpless. But I am so very glad that I and the others operated that day to be able to bring her and her much-loved husband home to rest. I feel very good about the people that I have been able to assist. In my entire career with BA I have never had such appreciative customers; it makes me feel quite embarrassed as I’m just doing my job. There are worse things in life than being asked to work a bit harder. Discuss that over your Pimms at Bedfont today.

Please don't be that patronizing.I have been helding hands before and I have had my hand held before. I have been very upset about this strike and I have been a bit tearful as well, but for the same reason you said , I think I overreacted..there is indeed worst things in life than worrying about my job. Saying that,fortunately and I consider myself very lucky for this, at the moment I do not have other major worries and the job and the protection of my current salary are my priorities.

You say about passengers being over appreciative..I will give you an example of how appreciative they can be and at the same time disregard others.
On disembarking my last flight about a week ago when the strike was stopped by the injuction one of the comment was something on this line: "Thanks for not going on strike this week,now you can go on strike..Am home!" It was a joke and am sure he didn't mean anything bad by it..but please do not try and make it look as if it is a one way effort from you and only you people going into work during industrial action.

There is people who are taking industrial action who are the same ones that dealt with death on board..medical emergency..and all sorts.. you like myself have probably been in an emergency landing before and you know what the feeling is. Taking industrial action and go to Bedfont or going into work doesn't make you any better or worse.

When you give a good service and care to our passenger I find that on most flight they are extremely appreciative.

[Juan Tugoh]

What next?

So what next? It seems clear that WW is not going to give in and that the series of strikes will continue and nothing will change. So we approach the 12th of June with no resloution, then what? Another ballot is unlikely to pass legal scrutiny as the dispute is the same dispute, so where do the union go next?

Expect to see a growing rift between UNITE and BASSA as it becomes clear to the professional union officials that they are going to get nothing out of this, they have used their big guns to no effect and only suicide remains. BASSA of course will not see this and will continue to rant without realising that any further action leaves them open to sacking without recourse.

So I ask again, what next?

[ns68]

So what next? It seems clear that WW is not going to give in and that the series of strikes will continue and nothing will change. So we approach the 12th of June with no resloution, then what? Another ballot is unlikely to pass legal scrutiny as the dispute is the same dispute, so where do the union go next?

I think the next ballot will be about staff travel and disciplinary..a complete different subject.

[Wirbelsturm]

I think the next ballot will be about staff travel and disciplinary..a complete different subject.

Another spectacular waste of time. For Staff travel see above.

For disciplinaries, the Union agreed the disciplinary processes. Surely, if there is cause for concern over behaviour or bringing the company into disrepute, the full correct process must be allowed to run. Once finished if the staff member feels that it was unfair they have an agreed process of appeal.

Duncan Holley was sacked for consistently not turning up to work before the IA even started. Do we really want him back at BA? I think not personally.

Lets clutch at some more straws to drag the protection date out past the 12th. Shame they can't legally just print 'will you go on strike' again. Saves the paperwork.