British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)
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Crew Husband,
I'm really very sorry about your wife's experiences at work yesterday. It sounds like she had a very rough time and I hope that it is something that won't happen again.
My perspective is not necessarily the most helpful to you or her: I am flight crew and I'm based at Gatwick - almost everyone I know volunteered to work as cabin crew and only 9 cabin crew (I think it was 9) went on strike down there. I seriously doubt I will ever have to face the problems your wife has faced already.
The only suggestion I have is that your wife try to make a note of all the things that happened during her day and, before she flies next time, to take that note to a manager in the CRC. See if they think there is anything that can be done? I have operated out of the CRC only twice - as cabin crew over the strike periods - and the cabin crew managers I met all seemed very "on-side" and friendly. It would be awful if BA Heathrow just went back to its life-before-the-strike or something worse.
I'm not sure if this is helpful or not and I really hope it's a one off experience for your wife.
Best wishes,
OF
I'm really very sorry about your wife's experiences at work yesterday. It sounds like she had a very rough time and I hope that it is something that won't happen again.
My perspective is not necessarily the most helpful to you or her: I am flight crew and I'm based at Gatwick - almost everyone I know volunteered to work as cabin crew and only 9 cabin crew (I think it was 9) went on strike down there. I seriously doubt I will ever have to face the problems your wife has faced already.
The only suggestion I have is that your wife try to make a note of all the things that happened during her day and, before she flies next time, to take that note to a manager in the CRC. See if they think there is anything that can be done? I have operated out of the CRC only twice - as cabin crew over the strike periods - and the cabin crew managers I met all seemed very "on-side" and friendly. It would be awful if BA Heathrow just went back to its life-before-the-strike or something worse.
I'm not sure if this is helpful or not and I really hope it's a one off experience for your wife.
Best wishes,
OF
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I'm hearing an increasing number of stories from friends about abuse they've been subjected to by crew who, through fortunate rostering, haven't even been on strike themselves!!!!
Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on, to hear of abuse being meted out to anyone - people we've worked with for years, shared drinks and dinners with, basically holidayed with in the past - disappoints me.
We're not miners for goodness sake. We're cabin crew. We're supposed to be professional, dignified, caring people. It's why we were given the job.
I'd personally never want to be a part of that sort of thing.
Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on, to hear of abuse being meted out to anyone - people we've worked with for years, shared drinks and dinners with, basically holidayed with in the past - disappoints me.
We're not miners for goodness sake. We're cabin crew. We're supposed to be professional, dignified, caring people. It's why we were given the job.
I'd personally never want to be a part of that sort of thing.
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Litebulbs
The figures are of crew rostered to turn up to work, so I imagine they reflect the reduced schedule of 83% longhaul flights and 67% of shorthaul flights. However BA have been rostering far more crews than they normally would for airport standby for obvious reasons so you could up those numbers up a bit. However I have no reason to suppose that they are not a reflection of the whole crew community.
A question (or two) for both you and Miamimike: As BA now have over 70% of rostered crew turning up to work, do you think BASSA are currently representing the views of the majority of their members? As requested by WW yesterday in an open letter to Tony Woodley, do you think it would now be reasonable for BASSA to put BA's offer to their members for them to decide on that offer as we now appear to have a two week window before any further strikes?
The figures are of crew rostered to turn up to work, so I imagine they reflect the reduced schedule of 83% longhaul flights and 67% of shorthaul flights. However BA have been rostering far more crews than they normally would for airport standby for obvious reasons so you could up those numbers up a bit. However I have no reason to suppose that they are not a reflection of the whole crew community.
A question (or two) for both you and Miamimike: As BA now have over 70% of rostered crew turning up to work, do you think BASSA are currently representing the views of the majority of their members? As requested by WW yesterday in an open letter to Tony Woodley, do you think it would now be reasonable for BASSA to put BA's offer to their members for them to decide on that offer as we now appear to have a two week window before any further strikes?
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Despite what the 'lady' in the youtube video above says, those numbers did not include cabin crew inbound on services landing on that day, nor the volunteer cabin crew.
The percentage was based on how many cabin crew were rostered to turn up that day IF THERE HAD BEEN NO STRIKE, compared to how many actually turned up to work.
So high 70's reflects the vast majority of cabin crew turning up to work, and that Bassa are a spent force.
And that's the truth Miamimike!
The percentage was based on how many cabin crew were rostered to turn up that day IF THERE HAD BEEN NO STRIKE, compared to how many actually turned up to work.
So high 70's reflects the vast majority of cabin crew turning up to work, and that Bassa are a spent force.
And that's the truth Miamimike!
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Wobbler
As far as I am aware, Unite operate on a 50%+1 mandate. If they do the complete maths and look at the reduced schedule, crew volunteers etc and 50%+1 did not support the strike then yes.
If I was a BASSA member and believed your figures, I would be insisting on another mass meeting and getting everyone to turn out. If, as you say, the majority has swung, then there would be strength in numbers.
If I was a BASSA member and believed your figures, I would be insisting on another mass meeting and getting everyone to turn out. If, as you say, the majority has swung, then there would be strength in numbers.
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Hiflyer14 said about the latest offer:
"There are no benefits in this whatsoever for crew; we would undoubtedly be better off just working to the current crew complements and negotiating on New Fleet when the time comes."
A good post.
But IMHO we are not involved in the annual pay round here, we are talking about cutting costs to ensure company survival. Pain has been felt across the airline and working cabin crew, welcome and excellent as they are, must expect their department to suffer along with the rest of us.
"There are no benefits in this whatsoever for crew; we would undoubtedly be better off just working to the current crew complements and negotiating on New Fleet when the time comes."
A good post.
But IMHO we are not involved in the annual pay round here, we are talking about cutting costs to ensure company survival. Pain has been felt across the airline and working cabin crew, welcome and excellent as they are, must expect their department to suffer along with the rest of us.
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crewhusband
Hi there crewhusband and welcome to the forum.
I am really sorry that your wife had such a rough day at work. We are all feeling it in some way or another.
My advice to her would be:
Stay tight-lipped about working during the strike and make up some kind of story about being on leave, family problems or sick and just returning to work - just so she does not have to enter into any difficult discussions. This is not because she might be ashamed (she should definitely not be) but it would make her trip easier. God knows with all the situations that have happened (regarding bullying and harrassment) in the last week she needs to look after number one.
I really hope that after this is all said and done, we at BA can start a new chapter and move forward without the BASSA bullies (and they are bullies).
All the very best to your wife and you, stay strong. PM me if you can think of anything I can help with.
AD
I am really sorry that your wife had such a rough day at work. We are all feeling it in some way or another.
My advice to her would be:
Stay tight-lipped about working during the strike and make up some kind of story about being on leave, family problems or sick and just returning to work - just so she does not have to enter into any difficult discussions. This is not because she might be ashamed (she should definitely not be) but it would make her trip easier. God knows with all the situations that have happened (regarding bullying and harrassment) in the last week she needs to look after number one.
I really hope that after this is all said and done, we at BA can start a new chapter and move forward without the BASSA bullies (and they are bullies).
All the very best to your wife and you, stay strong. PM me if you can think of anything I can help with.
AD
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We are in grave danger here of not seeing the trees for the woods.
As a BA Cabin Crew member who came to work during the strike, can I just point out that:
a. I don't care whether or not strikers get their staff travel back.
b. I don't wish to discuss the percentages of how many came to work last weekend - the figures have been published. End of.
c. Yes the Youtube videos are absolutely disgraceful. I hope and trust the authorities and BA deal with them appropriately.
But the real issue here that is being overlooked is the one that greatly affects all of us. BA CABIN CREW. We are now in a no-win situation - thanks to BASSA. If, this last offer is agreed:
New Fleet will launch ASAP to permit the ridiculous 184 crew complement.
More pay frozen - meal and variable allowances.
More money deducted - incidentals.
Ever heard of WIFM - What's In It For Me? Well, there isn't one in this offer. No bonus. No fixing monthly payments to 2008/9. Nada. Nothing for anyone. It affects all of us. Strikers. Non-strikers. People who were on leave/part-time/didn't have to show their hand. Every single one of us.
And OUR UNION BASSA have done that to us. ALL of us - Strikers and Non-strikers. So Strikers shouldn't be fighting non-strikers. Non-strikers shouldn't be angry at Strikers.
We should all be very, very angry. At BASSA. Our only hope now is to reject this Union en masse, so that maybe, just maybe we could salvalage something out of the situation. If we don't, then it will be lose-lose all the way.
I am BA Cabin Crew and this is my viewpoint and not that of BA.
As a BA Cabin Crew member who came to work during the strike, can I just point out that:
a. I don't care whether or not strikers get their staff travel back.
b. I don't wish to discuss the percentages of how many came to work last weekend - the figures have been published. End of.
c. Yes the Youtube videos are absolutely disgraceful. I hope and trust the authorities and BA deal with them appropriately.
But the real issue here that is being overlooked is the one that greatly affects all of us. BA CABIN CREW. We are now in a no-win situation - thanks to BASSA. If, this last offer is agreed:
New Fleet will launch ASAP to permit the ridiculous 184 crew complement.
More pay frozen - meal and variable allowances.
More money deducted - incidentals.
Ever heard of WIFM - What's In It For Me? Well, there isn't one in this offer. No bonus. No fixing monthly payments to 2008/9. Nada. Nothing for anyone. It affects all of us. Strikers. Non-strikers. People who were on leave/part-time/didn't have to show their hand. Every single one of us.
And OUR UNION BASSA have done that to us. ALL of us - Strikers and Non-strikers. So Strikers shouldn't be fighting non-strikers. Non-strikers shouldn't be angry at Strikers.
We should all be very, very angry. At BASSA. Our only hope now is to reject this Union en masse, so that maybe, just maybe we could salvalage something out of the situation. If we don't, then it will be lose-lose all the way.
I am BA Cabin Crew and this is my viewpoint and not that of BA.
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and only 9 cabin crew (I think it was 9) went on strike down there.
Just heard something that has amused me about LGW, the average no-show rate due to crew striking at LGW was approx 3 or 4 crew across each strike weekend and apparently the average crew sickness rate on a normal weekend at LGW is about 10 crew, so in real terms crew attendance levels improved across the strike weekends.
[/RUMOUR]
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Litebulbs, I agree with your point.... however
You could argue that the "rank an file" cabin crew interested or otherwise had no real influence over the people that run BASSA. Particularly if as I am you are privy to the BASSA forum, you rapidly begin to understand that anyone whom dares disagree with the status quo is very rapidly and without exception frozen out, if not by fellow members then by the Moderator in a very ruthless fashion.
You could argue that the "rank an file" cabin crew interested or otherwise had no real influence over the people that run BASSA. Particularly if as I am you are privy to the BASSA forum, you rapidly begin to understand that anyone whom dares disagree with the status quo is very rapidly and without exception frozen out, if not by fellow members then by the Moderator in a very ruthless fashion.
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We have influence all right, Litebulbs. We are voting with our feet. By withdrawing our funds to the Union. By coming into work on strike dates. And by setting up a better, more productive way to conduct Employee Relations in 2010 - the Professional Cabin Crew Council.
It's called outside influence, because let's face it, if you aren't listened to or consulted with within, then what other influence is there?
It's called outside influence, because let's face it, if you aren't listened to or consulted with within, then what other influence is there?
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Originally Posted by Litebulbs
If I was a BASSA member and believed your figures, I would be insisting on another mass meeting and getting everyone to turn out. If, as you say, the majority has swung, then there would be strength in numbers.
Unfortunately the mass meetings are really only attended by the most militant of crew, I left part way through the last meeting I attended in disgust. There was no way I was brave enough to put forward a view or even raise my hand against a motion that was different the rest of 'mob', I honestly believe I would have been lynched!
Maybe your branch meetings are different to ours, but free thinking and speech are certainly not allowed?
Edited to Add -
Litebulbs, are you not seeing a common thread here on the numerous postings from lots of different people about fear and intimidation from Bassa and the some of its members?
Surely we can't all be making it up or have grasped the wrong end the stick about Bassa?
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Litebulbs, I agree with your point.... however
You could argue that the "rank an file" cabin crew interested or otherwise had no real influence over the people that run BASSA. Particularly if as I am you are privy to the BASSA forum, you rapidly begin to understand that anyone whom dares disagree with the status quo is very rapidly and without exception frozen out, if not by fellow members then by the Moderator in a very ruthless fashion.
You could argue that the "rank an file" cabin crew interested or otherwise had no real influence over the people that run BASSA. Particularly if as I am you are privy to the BASSA forum, you rapidly begin to understand that anyone whom dares disagree with the status quo is very rapidly and without exception frozen out, if not by fellow members then by the Moderator in a very ruthless fashion.
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Your union HiFlyer, you left and now have no influence.
It should be a union for the employees, it absolutely isn't - it is destroying BA cabin crew.
Litebulbs, you are becoming as bad as BASSA. At the start you added value to this forum. Now you are dangerously close to constantly repeating the mantra and crap that BASSA continue to spout forward.
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Litebulbs....
I've edited my last post to moderate it slightly.
I cannot understand you at the moment, but want you to continue posting, and contributing.
You accept many points, but still defend the indefensible. Surely someone with your obvious intellect can tell that all is lost. That this really has been terribly played by Unite and BASSA, and that the only people who have and will continue to lose, are BA CC?
Your allegiance to Unite and Trade Unionism do you proud, but what price needs to be paid before you can admit that this is a complete disaster and that they have failed miserably to look after their members?
DW.
DW.
I cannot understand you at the moment, but want you to continue posting, and contributing.
You accept many points, but still defend the indefensible. Surely someone with your obvious intellect can tell that all is lost. That this really has been terribly played by Unite and BASSA, and that the only people who have and will continue to lose, are BA CC?
Your allegiance to Unite and Trade Unionism do you proud, but what price needs to be paid before you can admit that this is a complete disaster and that they have failed miserably to look after their members?
DW.
DW.
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I am airline staff and I am allowed an opinion, within the rules of the forum.
DW.