British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)
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I totally agree with Flybymerchant and Tirimisu. I think he will send out contracts to sign and I do hope it is a reasonable offer that all of us will be happy to sign. I hope that some of the strikers find it hard to sign because I really don't wish to work with some of the more militant ones.
It is really hard for cabin crew that have worked during the strike on days when the strikers come back in. Particularily for main crew. Some of them feel so intimidated by questions in the briefings that they pretend to be strikers out of fear.
I really do hope this ends soon. I just want to get back to being able to look after all our passengers in happy B A with good relationships between everyone.
It is really hard for cabin crew that have worked during the strike on days when the strikers come back in. Particularily for main crew. Some of them feel so intimidated by questions in the briefings that they pretend to be strikers out of fear.
I really do hope this ends soon. I just want to get back to being able to look after all our passengers in happy B A with good relationships between everyone.
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Betty, don't be scared. Wear a "I'm Backing BA" lanyard to remove any doubt from the minds of your colleagues and let them show their true colours.
You'll find, as a post a few pages back showed, that more will be civil to you than won't.
It's a shame to think you could be flying with half a dozen or more "BA Backers" but all are, understandable, too afraid to come clean becuase they're all waiting for one person to make the first move.
And don't worry about the treatment you may or may not get from strikers - I have a feeling BA would take your side over their in any allegation of bullying.
You'll find, as a post a few pages back showed, that more will be civil to you than won't.
It's a shame to think you could be flying with half a dozen or more "BA Backers" but all are, understandable, too afraid to come clean becuase they're all waiting for one person to make the first move.
And don't worry about the treatment you may or may not get from strikers - I have a feeling BA would take your side over their in any allegation of bullying.
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Interesting C4 report, crew sticking to the "Walsh must go" mantra and DH spouting the same old defiant line. However for me the most telling line in the whole show was John Snows leader, which was something along the lines of "With BA crews approaching the end of their industrial action, they are already planning their next ballot and nobody seems to care". So true!
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Piece on the strike on Channel 4 News just now...guess you can catch it in just under an hour on C4+1 at around 35 minutes past the hour.
Interested to see if anyone else here sees it and has views on the balance of the report.
Interested to see if anyone else here sees it and has views on the balance of the report.
C4 News 9th June
Sorry for the delay, just had a chance to watch the report again...
IMHO it was a fairly weak piece of reporting centred on Bedfont, there was little, if any attempt at analysis.
A couple of BASSA talking heads (well back of heads) telling stories of intimidation and a horrible atmosphere at work - the reporter didn't appear to engage in cross examination of these claims. A bit of footage of the CEO earlier in week at the IATA conference, Duncan Holly got his couple of minutes, and footage of BA aircraft on the ground. No mention of the number of services BA are now operating and no mention of the number of crew actually going to work...
IMHO I'd have said on the whole the piece was if anything biased towards BASSA..then again maybe I'm biased
( edited to add: As Arthur said it wasn't much of anything)
IMHO it was a fairly weak piece of reporting centred on Bedfont, there was little, if any attempt at analysis.
A couple of BASSA talking heads (well back of heads) telling stories of intimidation and a horrible atmosphere at work - the reporter didn't appear to engage in cross examination of these claims. A bit of footage of the CEO earlier in week at the IATA conference, Duncan Holly got his couple of minutes, and footage of BA aircraft on the ground. No mention of the number of services BA are now operating and no mention of the number of crew actually going to work...
IMHO I'd have said on the whole the piece was if anything biased towards BASSA..then again maybe I'm biased
( edited to add: As Arthur said it wasn't much of anything)
Last edited by wiggy; 9th Jun 2010 at 20:03. Reason: spelling
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You're probably right wiggy but like you say it was a pretty weak report. I'm not sure any member of the public will have learnt anything new or be outraged enough to dig up any sympathy.
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C4 report
wiggy, thanks for the alert on the C4 report on BA.
I've just watched it, there was a reporter at Bedfont who interviewed two CC. One (a stewardess) said that the dispute is about BA's macho management which they've been bullied into.
"We've been treated really badly, really really badly.
"I think morale is terrible, everyone is lying, it's all very deceitful. I personally go into work and I've got to be very careful what I say, who I'm speaking to because they might say they've strucked and they've not strucked at all and they're waiting for you to say the wrong thing and then they go and report you and then before you know it you're up against the senior manager."
The reporter also said that the strikers want guarantees about their contracts otherwise more of their work will gradually be shifted to NF, and they must have their ST back. Also, a union source said the ballot will be in late June.
I've just watched it, there was a reporter at Bedfont who interviewed two CC. One (a stewardess) said that the dispute is about BA's macho management which they've been bullied into.
"We've been treated really badly, really really badly.
"I think morale is terrible, everyone is lying, it's all very deceitful. I personally go into work and I've got to be very careful what I say, who I'm speaking to because they might say they've strucked and they've not strucked at all and they're waiting for you to say the wrong thing and then they go and report you and then before you know it you're up against the senior manager."
The reporter also said that the strikers want guarantees about their contracts otherwise more of their work will gradually be shifted to NF, and they must have their ST back. Also, a union source said the ballot will be in late June.
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Duncans blog for the day...
My bold again.....
Clearly the man does not see the irony that the brave crew from Edinburgh chose a flight operated by the hated Sausage, Chips and BeanS brigade to get to the picket. Given the numerous flights available between EDI and the London airports one wonders why they chose to fly on BA? Perhaps they were actually using their staff travel? Still, they need the numbers now that even the SWP can't be bothered to turn up. As to Willie Walsh, I suspect that defeating BASSA and keeping the flag flying will be a great source of pride for him, and a huge boon to his career to boot. I don't think Duncans career prospects are looking quite so rosy.
Right, before I start my last – for now – blog from Bedfont, it is best to warn you that I have had a drink or two. The atmosphere there was so fantastic, to be honest it was impossible not to linger and share a pint and bathe in all the warmth, camaraderie and shear emotion. Today saw the biggest crew room party of all time – we reckon, and this is not exaggeration, that at least 20% of the total BA crew population were at Bedfont today. The turnout was simply overwhelming and the march along the Bath Rd to Waterside was something that will go down in folklore. Pity the poor stewardess, who in her excitement, walked into a lamp post and ended up nursing the biggest black eye I have ever seen. Hard luck Ali – I hope your husband believes you!
Before I forget or the drink catches up with me, I have got to mention 4 crew who were there today who live in Edinburgh. They caught the 06:30 flight down to LGW, then bussed to Bedfont before standing on a picket line for 4 hours; they then bussed back to LGW to catch the late afternoon flight back to EDI. Why? They had heard so much about the Bedfont buzz they had to come see for themselves and they were so pleased they had – the only downside was they had paid full fare on BA. Their actions shame the Sausage Chips And BeanS.
And incredibly it seems you all have more stamina than the SWP, either that or they have given you up as a lost cause because they have not been seen at Bedfont for 2 days. Perhaps they are mobilising again at ACAS. Tony won’t be happy.
I have been asked to mention the two nuns who were waving vigorously as the open top bus did its circuit – they obviously have no time for Wee Willy either!
Also thank you for the yesterday’s whip round for Mr Dillon, the samosas man organised by Andrea. I have, thanks to your kind donations, 8 bottles of top quality scotch to give him which should just about last him until the next strike.
Lenny’s speech went down a bomb as did his pink shirt – and thanks to Ken Livingstone and John McDonnell for taking the trouble to visit.
While on the subject of pink – that was some display of solidarity. It is incredibly uplifting to see all the straight lads (and lasses) rallying to the cause and, if there is a broader “church” than the BASSA membership then I am unaware of it. I think that it is this diversity that is so remarkable – young old, straight gay, British foreign, you name it crew come in all colours, shapes and sizes (cue references to the Bedfont burger bulge) and yet today it was if we were all one. Don’t want to come over all spiritual or evangelical- especially when I have had a few – but I really mean it when I say how proud I felt tonight as Louise and I headed home to try and find our feral kids. Thanks for all your support. I would have looked a bit stupid standing in the burger queue by myself.
So the season has finally ended for Bedfont FC – it is time for the summer break - with matches again scheduled to start at the beginning of August. It is true we did not win the League, nor were we promoted but there again, neither have we been relegated! We live to fight another season and if we can persuade some new players to join our team in the summer perhaps we can push Bedfont to the top of the table.
Many of you probably don’t realise this but the last few months have really been ground breaking and historically important. We have already mounted one of the longest strikes in aviation history and we have taken on one of the largest, most ruthless, nastiest blue chip companies ever to darken this countries’ social fabric and we are still standing strong, preparing for more. Many years from now you will look back on this summer and say “I am so glad and proud I did what I did”, I wonder if Willie Walsh will feel that same pride?
Tomorrow I have my first appeal against my sacking at Waterworld. I am not holding my breath as, all along, it has, imo been “pre-ordained”, but despite “squeezing tea-bags” for 34 years I feel no sorrow because the company I have left.
Before I forget or the drink catches up with me, I have got to mention 4 crew who were there today who live in Edinburgh. They caught the 06:30 flight down to LGW, then bussed to Bedfont before standing on a picket line for 4 hours; they then bussed back to LGW to catch the late afternoon flight back to EDI. Why? They had heard so much about the Bedfont buzz they had to come see for themselves and they were so pleased they had – the only downside was they had paid full fare on BA. Their actions shame the Sausage Chips And BeanS.
And incredibly it seems you all have more stamina than the SWP, either that or they have given you up as a lost cause because they have not been seen at Bedfont for 2 days. Perhaps they are mobilising again at ACAS. Tony won’t be happy.
I have been asked to mention the two nuns who were waving vigorously as the open top bus did its circuit – they obviously have no time for Wee Willy either!
Also thank you for the yesterday’s whip round for Mr Dillon, the samosas man organised by Andrea. I have, thanks to your kind donations, 8 bottles of top quality scotch to give him which should just about last him until the next strike.
Lenny’s speech went down a bomb as did his pink shirt – and thanks to Ken Livingstone and John McDonnell for taking the trouble to visit.
While on the subject of pink – that was some display of solidarity. It is incredibly uplifting to see all the straight lads (and lasses) rallying to the cause and, if there is a broader “church” than the BASSA membership then I am unaware of it. I think that it is this diversity that is so remarkable – young old, straight gay, British foreign, you name it crew come in all colours, shapes and sizes (cue references to the Bedfont burger bulge) and yet today it was if we were all one. Don’t want to come over all spiritual or evangelical- especially when I have had a few – but I really mean it when I say how proud I felt tonight as Louise and I headed home to try and find our feral kids. Thanks for all your support. I would have looked a bit stupid standing in the burger queue by myself.
So the season has finally ended for Bedfont FC – it is time for the summer break - with matches again scheduled to start at the beginning of August. It is true we did not win the League, nor were we promoted but there again, neither have we been relegated! We live to fight another season and if we can persuade some new players to join our team in the summer perhaps we can push Bedfont to the top of the table.
Many of you probably don’t realise this but the last few months have really been ground breaking and historically important. We have already mounted one of the longest strikes in aviation history and we have taken on one of the largest, most ruthless, nastiest blue chip companies ever to darken this countries’ social fabric and we are still standing strong, preparing for more. Many years from now you will look back on this summer and say “I am so glad and proud I did what I did”, I wonder if Willie Walsh will feel that same pride?
Tomorrow I have my first appeal against my sacking at Waterworld. I am not holding my breath as, all along, it has, imo been “pre-ordained”, but despite “squeezing tea-bags” for 34 years I feel no sorrow because the company I have left.
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I find it incredible how there can be such a gaping chasm between the attitudes of some crew.
Those being interviewed on Channel 4 who claim to live in a climate of fear and bullying, and then those like myself who see BA as a great place to work with some (in general) great people, enjoying great compensation and benefits.
I must be missing the bullying stuff somehow.....
Those being interviewed on Channel 4 who claim to live in a climate of fear and bullying, and then those like myself who see BA as a great place to work with some (in general) great people, enjoying great compensation and benefits.
I must be missing the bullying stuff somehow.....
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WW, JO, MissM or someone who knows from CC.
Can one of you please answer this. Just what bullying is going on from WW or BA Management?? I hear a lot about it and again on the news tonight, but nobody goes into any detail. I await for your reply, tks.
Can one of you please answer this. Just what bullying is going on from WW or BA Management?? I hear a lot about it and again on the news tonight, but nobody goes into any detail. I await for your reply, tks.
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ref4761
POSo, where will it all end?
14th June I believe that Willie Walsh will announce a New Contract for ALL cabin crew who wish to be employed in BA beyond the 3 month mark.
Anyone who signs (and there will be an incentive to sign soonest) will be on the new contract immediately. Anyone who refuses is legally deemed to have left the company...no severence pay, no come-back.
Let us all hope that the New Contract honours some of those things that Willie has been promising to address in the previous offers, for example guaranteed travel payment.
_______________
These are my thoughts exactly, this will not be a new fleet contract, it will be based on the lastest offer, the second announcement will be an immediate recruitment program to new fleet. This solves both problems, saves those "good" strikers, and stops new fleet being contaminated with the "bad" strikers.
14th June I believe that Willie Walsh will announce a New Contract for ALL cabin crew who wish to be employed in BA beyond the 3 month mark.
Anyone who signs (and there will be an incentive to sign soonest) will be on the new contract immediately. Anyone who refuses is legally deemed to have left the company...no severence pay, no come-back.
Let us all hope that the New Contract honours some of those things that Willie has been promising to address in the previous offers, for example guaranteed travel payment.
_______________
These are my thoughts exactly, this will not be a new fleet contract, it will be based on the lastest offer, the second announcement will be an immediate recruitment program to new fleet. This solves both problems, saves those "good" strikers, and stops new fleet being contaminated with the "bad" strikers.
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ST
I keep hearing about ST as part of the new offered contract, it will not be, if any form of ST is return, it will not be in any contract, as we now know, ST is non contractual.
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Tomorrow
Yesterday I did a shift as crew support and I spent some time in the baggage drop. Most flights scheduled for the evening had a full crew turn up except the middle east ones. It was really uplifting to see so many CC coming into work.
I just wish all the best to these CC who are going to work tomorrow and having to mix with striking CC. I hope most of our striking colleagues have the maturity and the decency to behave professionally and without animosity. OK, it s just a wish but there is hope...and going by some of these posts, there are many decent (striking) crew out there who will not create any problem and just want to go back to normality. (so do I actually, i cannot remeber what normality is anymore, since xmas we has snow strikes ash cloud...what's next...)
I big thanks to all CC and VCC who kept the flag flying!
and yes, i think next strike we will fly 100% schedule so not point to even try ...
I just wish all the best to these CC who are going to work tomorrow and having to mix with striking CC. I hope most of our striking colleagues have the maturity and the decency to behave professionally and without animosity. OK, it s just a wish but there is hope...and going by some of these posts, there are many decent (striking) crew out there who will not create any problem and just want to go back to normality. (so do I actually, i cannot remeber what normality is anymore, since xmas we has snow strikes ash cloud...what's next...)
I big thanks to all CC and VCC who kept the flag flying!
and yes, i think next strike we will fly 100% schedule so not point to even try ...
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I agree entirely, but when you consider who is most likely to mete out intimidation or nastiness, I think there's little doubt in anyone's mind that the majority of it will come from the strikers.... Wouldn't you agree?
I've had plenty of notes in my dropfile from people slagging me off for going to work. I know other people who have had the same. Find out how many striking crew have had notes in their dropfiles slagging them off for striking.
I suspect ther answer would be nil/zero/zilch/zip.
Delightedly though, the number of people on either side who will engage in nastiness is likely to be absolutely minute.
I've had plenty of notes in my dropfile from people slagging me off for going to work. I know other people who have had the same. Find out how many striking crew have had notes in their dropfiles slagging them off for striking.
I suspect ther answer would be nil/zero/zilch/zip.
Delightedly though, the number of people on either side who will engage in nastiness is likely to be absolutely minute.
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I was agreeing with you saying that it was "awful" that BA would adopt that stance, so I didn't contradict myself at all.
And yes, I think it's terrible that you were sent (or asked) to sit on the other side of the pool. It's childish, immature, selfish and short sighted. The people who did that to you should be ashamed.
I have to say though that the very tone of your post goes to suggest to me that you're more likely to have a go at someone for their opinions than I am, for example.
- why do I worry you?
And yes, I think it's terrible that you were sent (or asked) to sit on the other side of the pool. It's childish, immature, selfish and short sighted. The people who did that to you should be ashamed.
I have to say though that the very tone of your post goes to suggest to me that you're more likely to have a go at someone for their opinions than I am, for example.
- why do I worry you?
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we have all been very happy without strikers for the last 2+ weeks - if things start to change now it is solely because of the strikers (as everyone over the last few weeks has enjoyed their work) and appropriate action will be dealt out by BA I am sure
Some of those from Bedfont may disagree - but if you dont agree, maybe BA is now not the place for you
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DH, what planet is he on?
Not sure if I had an dismissal appeal the next day, I would be on the lash the night before. Just shows poor judgement to me, where have we seen that before.
Secondly, what is the blokes obsession with food and drink?? Samosas, chips, sausages, beans, burgers just in today's missive alone. It is all mindless drivel, but should we expect anything else, I guess not.
The BASSA PR message is awful, hello public we are having a jolly good old knees up, getting fat and drunk. Public sympathy absolutley zero.
No mention of the serious issues, e.g. re ballot process and rationale, but hey we are only talking about people's jobs and the future profitability of a FTSE 100 company here.
Duncan, I am sure your new union salary can stretch to a new pair of elasticated trousers for your next jolly at bedfont (sorry "strike"). Meanwhile back on planet earth, we will continue running an airline.
Finally, if you knew anything about football, you would have been put into administration docked 10 points and promptly relegated to the 1970's.
Not sure if I had an dismissal appeal the next day, I would be on the lash the night before. Just shows poor judgement to me, where have we seen that before.
Secondly, what is the blokes obsession with food and drink?? Samosas, chips, sausages, beans, burgers just in today's missive alone. It is all mindless drivel, but should we expect anything else, I guess not.
The BASSA PR message is awful, hello public we are having a jolly good old knees up, getting fat and drunk. Public sympathy absolutley zero.
No mention of the serious issues, e.g. re ballot process and rationale, but hey we are only talking about people's jobs and the future profitability of a FTSE 100 company here.
Duncan, I am sure your new union salary can stretch to a new pair of elasticated trousers for your next jolly at bedfont (sorry "strike"). Meanwhile back on planet earth, we will continue running an airline.
Finally, if you knew anything about football, you would have been put into administration docked 10 points and promptly relegated to the 1970's.