British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)
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Those people who chose to support BA through this debacle by working normally, or volunteering, should do so with heads held high, for they/we are doing ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT THING. If ever confirmation was needed, look no further than the deplorable and degrading behaviour portrayed by our ‘colleagues’ for all the world to see on television yesterday. Utterly shameful.
Just looking at the situation, a year ago the only substantial change (non-contractual) was to reduce CC compliment on board flights. A year down the line how well has Unite/BASSA done in their negotiations? CC are far worse off forever within the company and the great name of BA has been dragged through the mud by a core of militants with the CC ranks. I am hoping the end is near so we can all work together for the good of the company.
New Fleet
Yep, start recruiting New Fleet directly after the strike and give all strikers 24hr availability until they chose to leave. No unfair dismissal claims, bingo.
Strikers then could hardly complain as they would still be "employed" - just not needed.
My mind goes back to LGW SH (BASSA again!) in the 90's - with the exception that after a long time at home most of them finally took one of the original deals.
Strikers then could hardly complain as they would still be "employed" - just not needed.
My mind goes back to LGW SH (BASSA again!) in the 90's - with the exception that after a long time at home most of them finally took one of the original deals.
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This is the future!
I've been 'watching' this discussion for a number of weeks now, and I have just recently given up on a lot of our Cabin Crew employees. I used to believe that they were just confused and being misled by the BASSA reps, however, I now don't feel that way.
'Normal' people can only be misled for so long, then you start to 'see the light', however, this hasn't happened, therefore, there must be something else going on here. Maybe the CC who have been following the BASSA reps, really do believe that they are the airline and that only they can do the right thing.
Anyway, given that initial thought, IMO Willie is doing a FANTASTIC job, and the sooner he gets control of our airline and removes the blockers the better for the loyal and hard working staff of BA.
This situation has developed over the last 20 years, and past CEO have tried to resolve it, and whenever the going got tough, they backed away. This time, they have taken on someone who isn't going to back away, this is the new breed of CEO. Fortunately for the CC, Michael O'Leary isn't the CEO, because they would have been out the door a long time ago!!
Willie has given them lots of chances, and going against the views on most of the BA staff, offered them their staff travel back - not a very popular move at all!!
90 days is coming, SOSR options will soon be added to Willies tool box, and I'm sure he'll pick the right time to use them.
I guess a question he'll be asking himself will be 'Shall I leave them high and dry, unrostered and recruit alternative staff, or shall I just give them their P45s!!' When that day come, I'm sure there will be lots of BA staff congratulating him, asking why he's taken so long.
I'm sad that I think this way, having spent 10 years as a Shop Steward, over 40 years in BEA / BA, however, now is the time, let's move on, let's replace these trouble makers.
'Normal' people can only be misled for so long, then you start to 'see the light', however, this hasn't happened, therefore, there must be something else going on here. Maybe the CC who have been following the BASSA reps, really do believe that they are the airline and that only they can do the right thing.
Anyway, given that initial thought, IMO Willie is doing a FANTASTIC job, and the sooner he gets control of our airline and removes the blockers the better for the loyal and hard working staff of BA.
This situation has developed over the last 20 years, and past CEO have tried to resolve it, and whenever the going got tough, they backed away. This time, they have taken on someone who isn't going to back away, this is the new breed of CEO. Fortunately for the CC, Michael O'Leary isn't the CEO, because they would have been out the door a long time ago!!
Willie has given them lots of chances, and going against the views on most of the BA staff, offered them their staff travel back - not a very popular move at all!!
90 days is coming, SOSR options will soon be added to Willies tool box, and I'm sure he'll pick the right time to use them.
I guess a question he'll be asking himself will be 'Shall I leave them high and dry, unrostered and recruit alternative staff, or shall I just give them their P45s!!' When that day come, I'm sure there will be lots of BA staff congratulating him, asking why he's taken so long.
I'm sad that I think this way, having spent 10 years as a Shop Steward, over 40 years in BEA / BA, however, now is the time, let's move on, let's replace these trouble makers.
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The end is near alright. The end is a merger with Iberia or BA will go under. Hopefully the synergy savings will include a round of management stooges to give BA a hope of making a profit one day.
BA is simply not a well run company. 400 million lost last year and more again this year. It's not the cabin crew running the company into the ground but the directionless managers who have simply no clear idea where BA is going in the future.
Pilots wanted to strike over open skies but were stopped by more WW legal jiggerypokery, now the cabin crew are striking. Industrial relations with the employees are at an all time low. The atmosphere in BA is horrendous. It's a ghost of its former self. Most airlines seem to be making huge savings without their employees going on strike. They are doing it by getting the crew on side and working WITH them. Not the confrontational unilateral stance BA management have taken.
BA Management - (all of you in here who joined up in the last few weeks) You have a long running industrial dispute and your company has just AGAIN made a record loss. Stop playing around over staff perks and sort it out.
BA is simply not a well run company. 400 million lost last year and more again this year. It's not the cabin crew running the company into the ground but the directionless managers who have simply no clear idea where BA is going in the future.
Pilots wanted to strike over open skies but were stopped by more WW legal jiggerypokery, now the cabin crew are striking. Industrial relations with the employees are at an all time low. The atmosphere in BA is horrendous. It's a ghost of its former self. Most airlines seem to be making huge savings without their employees going on strike. They are doing it by getting the crew on side and working WITH them. Not the confrontational unilateral stance BA management have taken.
BA Management - (all of you in here who joined up in the last few weeks) You have a long running industrial dispute and your company has just AGAIN made a record loss. Stop playing around over staff perks and sort it out.
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The company is going down the toilet with nobody at the helm and with no clear direction for the future
The clear direction for the future now, as far as this dispute goes, is as follows:
Willie Walsh, as CEO of British Airways, with the unequivocal support of the board, the major and minor shareholders, and all other working groups in BA, will not allow BASSA to hold the company to ransom, nor be in a position to ever wreak carnage on this company again. THAT is what this dispute is now about.
Now bring it on
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BA management appear to be unable to introduce cost saving changes without causing a hugely damaging long running industrial dispute.
the company cut other expenses by 397 million pounds as it reduced capacity and renegotiated contracts with pilots and ground staff.
CC IA apart, taking out 397M GBP in a year is good going, and the rest of us DIDN'T go on strike!
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whatdoesthisbuttondo - excellent posts and to the point. Many on here are blaming the CC for all and sundry that is not right in BA...surprised the T5 fiasco was not blamed on the CC!
More posts please.
More posts please.
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The atmosphere in BA is horrendous
Even the most brainwashed BA clones must know BA are doing badly and desperately need new management before it's too late.
Just because some of us are realistic and recognise the need for change, doesn't make us BA clones. Having said that I'd rather be a BA clone than a BASSA Stepford Wife!
I am BA cabin crew and the above are my personal views.
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Amicus Reps Are You Out There?
It is well overdue for you to distance yourselves from Bassa. You went in initially for what we all believe were the right reasons, to try and work together and because we are all under the Unite umbrella.
It hasn't worked, we have lost our independence and we only get a Bassa view. Time has moved on, crew views have changed from the original issue. Now is the moment to step up and take a realistic view.
Put forward a solution, no extra crew, take the MTP, no other change to allowances or crew meals etc. Accept some changes to the disruption agreement.
Get ST back with just 'a length of dispute penalty' approx 6 months for strikers. Refer all disciplinaries to ACAS for a final appeal.
If you put this forward, I believe that a huge majority of cabin crew would support it, you should even get the PCCC onside as they are saying something similar.
If Bassa won't change, DISTANCE US FROM THEM.
They are fighting a losing battle - better to get a solution before we all get massacred or we all go down with what could become the B.A. sinking ship.
It hasn't worked, we have lost our independence and we only get a Bassa view. Time has moved on, crew views have changed from the original issue. Now is the moment to step up and take a realistic view.
Put forward a solution, no extra crew, take the MTP, no other change to allowances or crew meals etc. Accept some changes to the disruption agreement.
Get ST back with just 'a length of dispute penalty' approx 6 months for strikers. Refer all disciplinaries to ACAS for a final appeal.
If you put this forward, I believe that a huge majority of cabin crew would support it, you should even get the PCCC onside as they are saying something similar.
If Bassa won't change, DISTANCE US FROM THEM.
They are fighting a losing battle - better to get a solution before we all get massacred or we all go down with what could become the B.A. sinking ship.
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Tiramasu said:
I hate saying this but there will be a much better atmosphere during the strike when we don't have to put up with the militant minority. Bring on New Fleet please, I'd give up my old contract today so that I don't have to put with a minority of my cabin crew colleagues. Willie Walsh, please put an end to it, they try and make our working lives a misery.
Who does and how do they "make your life a misery" - please explain.
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Jock - good post (well until you mentioned PCCC) but a major concern for us all is a guarantee to come with any acceptable changes. The worry of many is that a few years from now all will be scrapped and by then too late to sort out.
Its not as if we are asking for much really.
Its not as if we are asking for much really.
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Juan
Good to hear that you empathise with my views. Lets hope that more Bassa members will have a similar open mind. As you will see from my previous posts, I share your concerns regarding the PCCC, however we must be inclusive of different opinions if we are to move forward.
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I foung tiramasu's post odd too. I'm not a striker, nor a fan of either BA/BASSA/Unite leadership. But more importantly I'm not a fan of the t&cs of new fleet and neither would my family or mortgage provider be.
I'm slowly reconciling myself to the notion that within the next two years I'll be gone, and will leave matters to the kids and students. Thats not an insult, but who else could afford to start on £11k plus £2.40 allowance, nobody with a mortgage or other responsibilites. An issue has always been BA's mantra of being the worlds premium long haul carrier, but on the cheap. The two don't go together.
I know BA is much bigger than just me and I should put my concerns to one side to see the company survive. I know that the £23,565.13I made last year as a 75% world wide purser, after 17 years of service is pushing BA towards extinction. Clearly the media and contributors to this forum know that it is only the cabin crew, and only them, who are not only the only cause of BA's continuing financial woes, but also the stumbling block to seeing BA shoot to the top of the FTSE, and preventing bonus payments and shares to all who are eligible. (Not cabin crew.)
But you've got to understand why I believe Walsh's way is wrong. Savings must be made and BASSA's way is also wrong. Take one or two of the crew of each aircraft, I'm happy with that. Scrap the telephone allowance, scrap the early day report. All that means to me is more or less continuity of earnings. But new fleets and MTP mean a loss. I understand the bigger picture, the UK economy, the world economy, Mrs PC767 lost her job last year. £23,565.13 is the only salary into my household. I could give it all up, have the house repossessed and go onto benefits, and take home more than I do now. I have 4 kids. But thats not me, not at all. One benefit I do recieve is the child tax credit, which we all do in the UK. That has risen since last year so I thank the tax payer for that.
I would rather stand on my own two feet, thats how I've been brought up, and indeed I'd rather fight to stay on my own two feet. But reading through this thread, and in the media it seems I'm not entitled to do so.
I didn't strike because I felt that would be counter-productive to our fight, and I've not read of a strike which has actually achieved anything. I also believed it was exactly what Walsh wanted.
Anyhow rant over..... just need to get it out occasionally and spare my family the trouble.
I'm slowly reconciling myself to the notion that within the next two years I'll be gone, and will leave matters to the kids and students. Thats not an insult, but who else could afford to start on £11k plus £2.40 allowance, nobody with a mortgage or other responsibilites. An issue has always been BA's mantra of being the worlds premium long haul carrier, but on the cheap. The two don't go together.
I know BA is much bigger than just me and I should put my concerns to one side to see the company survive. I know that the £23,565.13I made last year as a 75% world wide purser, after 17 years of service is pushing BA towards extinction. Clearly the media and contributors to this forum know that it is only the cabin crew, and only them, who are not only the only cause of BA's continuing financial woes, but also the stumbling block to seeing BA shoot to the top of the FTSE, and preventing bonus payments and shares to all who are eligible. (Not cabin crew.)
But you've got to understand why I believe Walsh's way is wrong. Savings must be made and BASSA's way is also wrong. Take one or two of the crew of each aircraft, I'm happy with that. Scrap the telephone allowance, scrap the early day report. All that means to me is more or less continuity of earnings. But new fleets and MTP mean a loss. I understand the bigger picture, the UK economy, the world economy, Mrs PC767 lost her job last year. £23,565.13 is the only salary into my household. I could give it all up, have the house repossessed and go onto benefits, and take home more than I do now. I have 4 kids. But thats not me, not at all. One benefit I do recieve is the child tax credit, which we all do in the UK. That has risen since last year so I thank the tax payer for that.
I would rather stand on my own two feet, thats how I've been brought up, and indeed I'd rather fight to stay on my own two feet. But reading through this thread, and in the media it seems I'm not entitled to do so.
I didn't strike because I felt that would be counter-productive to our fight, and I've not read of a strike which has actually achieved anything. I also believed it was exactly what Walsh wanted.
Anyhow rant over..... just need to get it out occasionally and spare my family the trouble.
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IIRC BA made an offer last summer that took new fleet off the table entirely. Why didn't BASSA accept that, if the true reason for their concern was the establishment of said fleet?
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It was a that point that doubts about BASSA's strategy began to show, and not only for me. New Fleet was a major concern, working with less crew wasn't. BASSA seemingly accepted new fleet without a murmour, although they made alot of noise about operation columbus.
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Thank you PC767 for putting a human face on the dispute. I wish you and your family all the best. Have you explored the option of returning to full time employment?
We all cut our cloth to fit and every other part of the airline is working harder for less. Why do the BASSA fanatics think that they should be exempt their share of the pain? Worse still, why do they think that it's all so funny? Are they still drunk from the Bedfont bar?
We all cut our cloth to fit and every other part of the airline is working harder for less. Why do the BASSA fanatics think that they should be exempt their share of the pain? Worse still, why do they think that it's all so funny? Are they still drunk from the Bedfont bar?
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I have asked for full time employment. I took part time as part of the Business Response Scheme after 9/11, to help BA. And it suited me at the time. Full time is nolonger an option according to BA, they want to reduce headcount numbers on 'old fleet'. It may be on new fleet but then I would be earning no more than now so why bother.
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I just don't know what's up at BA they just dont seem to be with the programme. I work for a Company that needs business class seats week in week out to / from Hong Kong and Delhi at the last minute. The best we get offered are AD50 fares. We're in a economic downturn so we go for the best price. Air NZ, Jet Airways, Air India, or Turkish or Qatar via their hubs are always much better ££ than AD50. I guess these routes are too busy for BA to be interested.
In the old days they did a competition where if you were Staff and someone you knew bought a ticket on BA your Staff No was put into a draw with great prizes - nothing like that these days
In the old days they did a competition where if you were Staff and someone you knew bought a ticket on BA your Staff No was put into a draw with great prizes - nothing like that these days
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Who does and how do they "make your life a misery" - please explain.
