British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)

[bacabincrew]

You're not meant to strike and officially you're not legally allowed to, but you can bet that any union being supported by non members during IA would offer support in return for the employee if challenged by the company.

Hi Eddy - You are correct if you are not in a Union you do not strike and if you do want to support any IA then the Union would not advocate that unless you are a member as this may be construed as a 'secondary' type action.

[jetset lady]

anotherthing,

As Eddy and bacabincrew have said, you are definitely not allowed to strike if you are not a member of the union. I would guess juan odesboyse is probably a member of Amicus, as are most union members at LGW.


I hope no one minds me putting this on here but a poster over on the SLF BA thread has made a good point regarding Unites plans to raise the £700,000.

Originally Posted by Lou Scannon

.....Unite leaders scream at Walsh for "Imposing changes without consultation". Can we therefore take it that the 2% will not be imposed and that the workers will have to opt in rather than opt out.

...or is it different for the Union when they work out that their credibility is now dropping to zero?

So does anyone know? Will this be something you can opt out of as from what I've seen, it will be compulsory for all Unite members?

[Juan Tugoh]

It may be that JO may be a CC89 member - are they on strike as well as BASSA. They all come under the UNITE umbrella now.

If one was not a member of a union and under took strike action, it would be illegal - a straight breach of contract and as such could lead to dismissal. A union could support as much as it liked but it would not do anything to alter the dismissal.

[jetset lady]

anotherthing,

It was a joint ballot in this instance. I have to be honest, I'm not entirely sure if the fact that Amicus and BASSA are now merged under the Unite umbrella means that any strike becomes a "Unite" strike now. I'm sure someone with better knowledge than me will be able to answer that.

Historically, BASSA have always been the most fiery and the most vocal. They also have a very passionate and loyal following which is probably why you hear their name more often. But I can assure you, both branches are definitely involved in this one.

[Caribbean Boy]

Who can legally strike

This is my understanding for strikers.

If you are a non-union member you are covered by the same legal protection as those who are taking part in protected industrial action.

If you are a member of a union that is not taking official strike action but join the strike, you will have no legal protection.

[Fargoo]

I hope no one minds me putting this on here but a poster over on the SLF BA thread has made a good point regarding Unites plans to raise the £700,000.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou Scannon

.....Unite leaders scream at Walsh for "Imposing changes without consultation". Can we therefore take it that the 2% will not be imposed and that the workers will have to opt in rather than opt out.

...or is it different for the Union when they work out that their credibility is now dropping to zero?
So does anyone know? Will this be something you can opt out of as from what I've seen, it will be compulsory for all Unite members?

Unite will raise the money from its branches not individual members. Although I guess indirectly those not involved are paying the money to begin with.

[bacabincrew]

Jetset Lady and others

Not a lot of people are aware of this but for clarification purposes.

British Airways are actually in dispute with Unite - not BASSA nor CC89 as they are both just 'Branches' of Unite.

Both BASSA and CC89 are branches of the Unite Union - BA recognise both as legal branches, however that's why the likes of Steve Turner and Brian Boyd are involved as they represent the aviation sector within Unite - they then report into the likes of Simpson, Mcluskey and ultimately Woodley

[jetset lady]

Thanks bacabincrew. That's what I thought but I wasn't entirely sure.

Sorry to be a pain and apologies for if I'm being dense, but just so I understand fully, if in the future there was another dispute, would either one of the branches be able to call for IA independently or will it always automatically be under the Unite name and therefore involve both sections?

Jsl

[Litebulbs]

I imagine whatever the result of this dispute, there are going to be some major changes in how Unite and BA do business.

[bacabincrew]

Jetset Lady

Sorry to be a pain and apologies for if I'm being dense, but just so I understand fully, if in the future there was another dispute, would either one of the branches be able to call for IA independently or will it always automatically be under the Unite name and therefore involve both sections?

No problems at all - either branch can take independent action dependent upon the will or motivation of their memberships - so if CC89 voted for strike action at some time in the future and BASSA voted against - CC89 could still take that action (following all procedures etc)

[midman]

Originally Posted by Fargoo

For any Flight crew volunteering, do the flying hours you accrue as a CC member count towards your yearly maximum hours?

In other words, is it more beneficial to use ground staff as flying volunteers as to protect those hours?

Also, as mentioned earlier a trip would earn £195 after tax there and back, what is this payment for if the trip is voluntary to help out the company?

Fargoo, the cabin crew hours don't count towards the scheme 900 hour FTL.

It's only more beneficial to use ground staff if using the pilot would cause a further pilot to be used on overtime, in which case the cabin crew pilot would be expensive for the company.
That payment for me, as a pilot, working in my own time, not rostered to come to work, is £195 after tax, on the Boston flight.

In addition, I and my pilot colleagues weren't used today (I believe not one used today or yesterday?) because plenty of cabin crew turning up.

It was like a normal day at the CRC, just more support staff than you'd normally have. 68% of rostered cabin crew turned up today to work, according to Flt Ops managers.

Again, the involvement of pilots in the briefing made for a great atmosphere, with a real sense of teamwork.

A part of me really hopes the malignant Bassa militants never return, as they have such a corrosive effect on the workplace.

(PS Good to hear Bill Francis getting a round of applause from LGW cabin crew today - won't be long before it happens at LHR?)

[bacabincrew]

A part of me really hopes the malignant Bassa militants never return, as they have such a corrosive effect on the workplace.

Now, now - don't get personal you know the forum rules

In fact that post is quite disgusting and intimidatory

[midman]

Originally Posted by Litebulbs

I imagine whatever the result of this dispute, there are going to be some major changes in how Unite and BA do business.

I certainly hope so and I think has been the intention ever since Bassa refused to approve to the Disruption agreement last year.

[Pornpants1]

bacabincrew

In fact that post is quite disgusting and intimidatory

Gosh, I really hope you don't read the BASSA or Crewforum, most informed comment on those sites leave Midmans posting smelling of roses!

[bacabincrew]

I tend not to trust Crewforum as it's about as one-sided as this forum.

The BASSA forum is a little more tempered - I have seen far worse comments about Cabin Crew on here which the mods remove pretty quickly

[coffeewhiteone]

A part of me really hopes the malignant Bassa militants never return, as they have such a corrosive effect on the workplace.

Here here. The workplace has been the happiest for years as the majority of crew that have turned up have had a 'can do' attitude.

The mood in the CRC has been great in my last couple of visits. Both times I've been sent home as none of the VCC have been required due to a surplus of CC turning up.

[Viewfrom5Bells]

Pilots costing BA a fortune

Handing out all the booze on a flight back from India. My mate commented that it was the best flight he'd ever been on with a great crew who looked like they actually were enjoying their job.

[HOVIS]

Just one quick note about BA Engineers. The majority are the best paid in the UK. That was a deal sorted out by Unite(amicus/aeeu/aeu/eetpu).

Not strictly accurate, litebulbs.

The majority of engineering staff are technicians, referred to as mechanics outside of BA.
Yes they are the best paid (in the world I would say) considering the qualifications and responsibilities they have.

On the other hand the licensed engineer's pay is well below the industry norm.

Otherwise, spot on.

Is there a parallel with the current CC dispute there?

No idea, but what is certain is that a cc member on £29000 (plus expenses) is taking home a hell of a lot more money than a BA technician and by all accounts a BA LAE can only dream of the kind of wage a senior CSD or purser takes home.

[OverFlare]

Quote:
A part of me really hopes the malignant Bassa militants never return, as they have such a corrosive effect on the workplace.
Now, now - don't get personal you know the forum rules

In fact that post is quite disgusting and intimidatory

One of the daftest things I've read for a while - and, let's face it, there's an awful lot of competition out there. Personal would be naming names which I believe is more BASSA's style.

I have just operated back from a secret destination as VCC. We were eight cabin crew, all very on-side, four normal crew and four others - made up of a former temp, and ground staff and pilot volunteers. It was, to be honest, a great experience. Hard work but not excessively so. Passengers all very supportive of the reduced service (some even saying they preferred it to the normal service) and of BA's ability to keep the flight running. Excellent CSD (normal crew) and the one team concept really seemed to work.

The more I read on here and elsewhere the more I'm glad I volunteered and worked with the regular cabin crew I met on the flight. This airline is being held together by strike breaking crew and the volunteers and I'm proud to be part of that. I'd happily act as cabin crew for the rest of the summer if it helped out.

Strikers? Who cares about you anymore?

[CaptainH]

Leaving Unite

Hi
I do not work for BA and I'm not a Unite member but it does seem that many people on this forum are talking of quitting the union. It seems to me that this means that the militant few will have an even stronger hold over the union and will be able to prolong the dispute that is harming BA and all of your careers. Surely, if you're not happy with the direction the union is taking, you stand more chance of moderating future action by staying as members and making your voices heard.