British Airways vs. BASSA (current Airline Staff Only)
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You wouldnt believe how many people have been " Vocal" and yet by chance have missed the whole thing
Just wondering how DH is getting on with Plod?
Wonder if he will post full details on BASSA site explaining how he was blindfolded and had electrodes wired to his bits and heard a distinct Irish accent urging them on!
Just wondering......
Wonder if he will post full details on BASSA site explaining how he was blindfolded and had electrodes wired to his bits and heard a distinct Irish accent urging them on!
Just wondering......
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Lets say they charge him, do we think BASSA will suspend his union position?
At least that's probably how he will view it in LALA land.
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Imposition Hearing 11/12/13th October
It would seem that the hearing dates for the 'Imposition case' have been set and I would imagine that the BASSA camp are hoping for the sweet smell of success with regards to the outcome.
The problem is what will that be exactly? If they lose the case then it will be business as usual, we continue with the workable and reasonable crew compliment changes and BA is seen as the victor. Or alternatively, the court rule that BA's imposition was an attack on the crew's T & C's and they are obliged to reinstate the missing crew member - BASSA the victor? Not so sure it will be the kind of victory they are after as this will undoubtedly result in far more routes going to mixed fleet with immediate effect and in one single blow BASSA have doubled the size of Mixed Fleet - Own Goal!
BASSA have already managed to get 'mixed fleet' up and running with no input in route transfers, timescales etc due to mass show of hands at Sandown for 'No Negotiation with WW'. And now that it's here (First CSM's course currently started) BASSA will almost double or triple it's size by winning this case. All BA need to do is sit back and let BASSA get new fleet up and running at twice the rate they had expected.
Clearly this hearing will be a win win for BA, but bitter sweet victory for BASSA and it's members? Remind me again how exactly is BASSA looking out for it's members?
The problem is what will that be exactly? If they lose the case then it will be business as usual, we continue with the workable and reasonable crew compliment changes and BA is seen as the victor. Or alternatively, the court rule that BA's imposition was an attack on the crew's T & C's and they are obliged to reinstate the missing crew member - BASSA the victor? Not so sure it will be the kind of victory they are after as this will undoubtedly result in far more routes going to mixed fleet with immediate effect and in one single blow BASSA have doubled the size of Mixed Fleet - Own Goal!
BASSA have already managed to get 'mixed fleet' up and running with no input in route transfers, timescales etc due to mass show of hands at Sandown for 'No Negotiation with WW'. And now that it's here (First CSM's course currently started) BASSA will almost double or triple it's size by winning this case. All BA need to do is sit back and let BASSA get new fleet up and running at twice the rate they had expected.
Clearly this hearing will be a win win for BA, but bitter sweet victory for BASSA and it's members? Remind me again how exactly is BASSA looking out for it's members?
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In the court case in February Sir Christopher Holland gave a view of what the outcome should be if he had found for the plaintiffs. If manning levels were found to be part and parcel of the individual contracts of employment, then as the crew had been working them for three months at the time of his verdict, he did not believe there was a case for ordering BA to change them back. The best that the plaintiffs could expect is nominal damages. It is unlikely that an appeal court would take a radically different view. It is unlikely that the crew could come after BA for compensation for working one down as that is what the damages would be for. So Unite would end up losing out anyway. BA would retain the current manning levels as they have been worked for 11 months. Not sure its worth the trip to court.
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On a slightly different note. Anyone heard if the Walsh and Woodley show got off the ground. I thought that they were supposed to be holding talks in Manchester this week. Been awfully quiet. What are the odds that Tony Woodley does a deal with Willie as per last time and kicks BASSA into accepting it ? In reality, he has nothing to lose by such a move. He retires next year and the incoming General Secretary designate can have a clean slate to start with. The wild and wacky squad at BASSA are in disarray with sundry personnel now out of the picture. If Tony goes back and says 'Listen chaps and chapesses, this is the best deal you are going to get' and recommends acceptance, I reckon he'll get the rank and file support. Oh sure, there will be a bunch who are not happy with what is being offered, but that will always be the case. If he can get the silent majority, the folk who didn't vote in the consultative ballot, to support him, he's home and dry.
My guess is he wants to secure a deal before the appeal hearing as if Unite lost that (and I reckon there is chance that will be the case) they would be in an even poorer negotiating position,
My guess is he wants to secure a deal before the appeal hearing as if Unite lost that (and I reckon there is chance that will be the case) they would be in an even poorer negotiating position,
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Apparently Duncans day with Heathrow police was "quite Heavy". However according to Duncan himself BA are being "pathetic" by involving the police
Well since his public declaration that "BA can't touch me now" what choice did BA have?
Well since his public declaration that "BA can't touch me now" what choice did BA have?
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Wonder if he will post full details on BASSA site...
Originally Posted by DH
Thanks everyone for your uplifting messages which as ever make me feel humble one moment and then strong again.
To be honest I do feel a little uncomfortable in this "figurehead" role and I never set out to be some kind of "leader" but I guess getting sacked and thus becoming spokesman it was kind of inevitable.
The injustice that is out there at present is incredible and we must keep going, fighting the fight against what I beleive to be an utterly corrupt ruthless company with no morals.
I will post more about yesterday on the news page later today although I have to be circumspect now BA have rather pathetically involved Heathrow Police, but I will say if they think they are going to intimidate me into silence then they don't really know me and haven't met my wife.
Was going to finish off with a "they'll never take me alive" sort of sentiment but in this day and age don't want to tempt fate. At least not with the thugs BA employ nowadays.
To be honest I do feel a little uncomfortable in this "figurehead" role and I never set out to be some kind of "leader" but I guess getting sacked and thus becoming spokesman it was kind of inevitable.
The injustice that is out there at present is incredible and we must keep going, fighting the fight against what I beleive to be an utterly corrupt ruthless company with no morals.
I will post more about yesterday on the news page later today although I have to be circumspect now BA have rather pathetically involved Heathrow Police, but I will say if they think they are going to intimidate me into silence then they don't really know me and haven't met my wife.
Was going to finish off with a "they'll never take me alive" sort of sentiment but in this day and age don't want to tempt fate. At least not with the thugs BA employ nowadays.
The police really don't care about DH's perceived injustice, only about him breaking the law, the police have chosen to investigate, DH has been asked to attend the Police Station so they must feel that an offence has been committed.
Are the crew really that blinkered they cannot see that its not BA that is corrupt or has no morals, after all BA didn't write the postings outing the WW CSD on the Bassa forum or send the CSD emails.
I find it shocking that there are 10 pages of support for DH on the Bassa forum, with one poster even quoting Dr Martin Luther King!!
They must all have buckets on their heads!
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Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that the BASSA advocates on here went awfully quiet once Duncan was invited to Heathrow nick ? One is almost tempted to suggest that these posters were aliases he had set up. Either that or they are rather more circumspect than him.
10 pages of support sounds excessive even by BASSA standards. Knowing the predeliction that some individuals have for multiple personae that must mean oooh about half a dozen members, their pet goldfish, gerbils,plus the lifeform that is developing on the six week old lump of cheese festering in the fridge.
10 pages of support sounds excessive even by BASSA standards. Knowing the predeliction that some individuals have for multiple personae that must mean oooh about half a dozen members, their pet goldfish, gerbils,plus the lifeform that is developing on the six week old lump of cheese festering in the fridge.
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Is it any wonder that so many of the BASSA militants have been either suspended or sacked. They see this behaviour as acceptable as it comes from the top - the invincible DH thinks that bullying and intimidating a fellow crew member because they have not been brainwashed by the BASSA cult is ok, yet BA who is merely pulling these bullies into line are seen as a draconian management trying to surpress it's workforce. Personally, his behaviour towards this CSD is the most disgusting act of bullying I have ever witnessed in the workplace and the fact he feels he can put this in the public forum is nothing more than sickening.
However, the blind followers can not see this they just lap it up while he takes them on his path to destruction. Wonder at which point they are going to question why they followed a man with an axe to grind with BA, after all he has been sacked! Add that to the other regular posters on there who took up the CSD secondment against BASSA's orders and then once they failed the interview decided to back the union.......these 'leaders' are taking their lambs to the slaughter!
However, the blind followers can not see this they just lap it up while he takes them on his path to destruction. Wonder at which point they are going to question why they followed a man with an axe to grind with BA, after all he has been sacked! Add that to the other regular posters on there who took up the CSD secondment against BASSA's orders and then once they failed the interview decided to back the union.......these 'leaders' are taking their lambs to the slaughter!
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The Latest from DH
The latest -
Hi Everyone!
Thought it about time I touched base with everyone seeing the summer has come and nearly gone, the tomatoes have just about had it and Sunni is doing her jolly best to usurp my position as the BASSA blogger. Plus of course, I need to update you all after yesterday’s rather unsettling episode in Heathrow Airport police station. For obvious reasons I am going to have to be careful what I say (Hi BA) but basically last Friday I received a call from Heathrow Police inviting me for questioning yesterday in the company of a solicitor. This followed an allegation of “malicious communications and harassment” from a member after a mocking anti-union thread had been started on the forum at the beginning of August and another member had been subsequently been suspended responding to that thread.
Without going into the ins and outs of the questioning - which took the best part of 4 hours - it is very obvious to me who is behind this issue and it won’t surprise you all to know that in my opinion it is BA, led by “Asset Protection”. Quite simply, having sacked me they have set me free to do and publicly say whatever I need to about our cause and the truth hurts. The BA bully machine are not used to having opposition - as you know anyone who dares to stand up and protest is mown down by the disciplinary process and intimidated into silence - but horror of horrors the BASSA branch secretary still has a voice and what’s more people are listening.
“What shall we do”? “Dial 999”! “That will keep him quiet”.
After questioning (the Detective Sergeant involved was courteous and polite throughout), I was told that once the enquiry had finished the paperwork would be sent to the Crown Prosecution Services where a decision whether to prosecute would be made. I have no idea re the time frames. I think you all realise by now just how far the bully boys of BA are prepared to go to get their way. Sacking reps and members, giving our personal details to the Daily Mail, staking out member’s houses, managers attacking crew in pubs, enticing call centres to step up crew snagging, the list is endless but the good news is....
WILLIE AND YOUR HENCHMEN, WE ARE STILL HERE AND YOU DON’T FRIGHTEN US!!!!
At the branch last week (boy and weren’t those who came on fire!) a message was sent to the JGS for another ballot. That message has been passed on and as soon as they return from their jaunt with the TUC in Manchester this week a meeting with the reps will take place and time frames set. It is a shame that the next picket line will be a cold one but hey Bedfont was “cosier” in the winter and there will be no need for the open top bus.
While on the subject of the TUC, there were a lot of fine words spoken in Manchester but for me now “words” are not enough anymore. BA has mounted a full frontal assault on Unite by what it is doing to the members and the reps and, to my mind, UNITE have been pretty toothless in response. They now have to wake up and smell the coffee. It is all very well sending umpteen reminders for us to vote for Milliwhatsit but, what is the point if back at the coal face (ie the front line) BA are systematically “taking out” the troops and their leadership with impunity? To be honest Unite are being taken as mugs, and I sensed the scale of your anger and frustration at their inactivity at the branch meeting. Since then I have sent them a strongly worded communication that enough is enough. We are at the crossroads and the Unite leadership have one hand on the wheel and the other on the indicator. They need to make the right turning. The wrong one will mean oblivion not only for this union but many others too.
At the meeting there was a call from the floor to raise the BASSA monthly subs by a fiver to help out the commuters. While this is a truly admirable gesture I expressed my doubts at the time that it would not be a workable and tangible benefit. Rough calculations means each person who commutes would be in line to get about £18 per month and, to be honest, I am extremely concerned how that would work out logistically and how on earth it would be administered. I have also noted conflicting comments on the forum as to who should get what and the whole idea, while symbolically fantastic, is fraught with pitfalls we would find hard to handle. I have not had the chance to discuss this matter with the Branch Committee yet so bear with me on this for the time being although I know just how hard it is for those out there who have lost their staff travel.
BASSA Lanyards - we have run out of the BASSA lanyards and will get some more made up. Again reading comments on the forum I am tempted to order 6000 vivid day glow yellow lanyards made up with BASSA XXXX on both sides to be sent to all strikers to wear with pride. But, we do not have the rep manpower for 6000 disciplinaries and we have enough "martyrs" to be going on with so a more discreet “recognition of taking industrial action” token will be organised shortly.
Well, that’s just about it from me, I know you are meant to inject a bit of humour into blogs but unlike Sunni, I am too old-fashioned to publicly discuss my sex life, so instead I will leave you with a conversation I recently had with a WW PSR, called Derek (in his day a bit of a ladies man) who over a beer confided -
“Duncan, you know I really am beginning to feel quite old”.
I said “Derek, surely not, what’s brought this on”?
He replied “I was watching a pornographic film in BKK the other day”.
“Yes” I said, yawning.
“And do you know what the first thing that came into my head was”
“No, tell me” I said (half dreading the answer).
“How comfortable the bed looked”!
I knew how he feels.
Take care, watch your back and it’s a cliche but “keep the faith”.
Cheers Duncan
Thought it about time I touched base with everyone seeing the summer has come and nearly gone, the tomatoes have just about had it and Sunni is doing her jolly best to usurp my position as the BASSA blogger. Plus of course, I need to update you all after yesterday’s rather unsettling episode in Heathrow Airport police station. For obvious reasons I am going to have to be careful what I say (Hi BA) but basically last Friday I received a call from Heathrow Police inviting me for questioning yesterday in the company of a solicitor. This followed an allegation of “malicious communications and harassment” from a member after a mocking anti-union thread had been started on the forum at the beginning of August and another member had been subsequently been suspended responding to that thread.
Without going into the ins and outs of the questioning - which took the best part of 4 hours - it is very obvious to me who is behind this issue and it won’t surprise you all to know that in my opinion it is BA, led by “Asset Protection”. Quite simply, having sacked me they have set me free to do and publicly say whatever I need to about our cause and the truth hurts. The BA bully machine are not used to having opposition - as you know anyone who dares to stand up and protest is mown down by the disciplinary process and intimidated into silence - but horror of horrors the BASSA branch secretary still has a voice and what’s more people are listening.
“What shall we do”? “Dial 999”! “That will keep him quiet”.
After questioning (the Detective Sergeant involved was courteous and polite throughout), I was told that once the enquiry had finished the paperwork would be sent to the Crown Prosecution Services where a decision whether to prosecute would be made. I have no idea re the time frames. I think you all realise by now just how far the bully boys of BA are prepared to go to get their way. Sacking reps and members, giving our personal details to the Daily Mail, staking out member’s houses, managers attacking crew in pubs, enticing call centres to step up crew snagging, the list is endless but the good news is....
WILLIE AND YOUR HENCHMEN, WE ARE STILL HERE AND YOU DON’T FRIGHTEN US!!!!
At the branch last week (boy and weren’t those who came on fire!) a message was sent to the JGS for another ballot. That message has been passed on and as soon as they return from their jaunt with the TUC in Manchester this week a meeting with the reps will take place and time frames set. It is a shame that the next picket line will be a cold one but hey Bedfont was “cosier” in the winter and there will be no need for the open top bus.
While on the subject of the TUC, there were a lot of fine words spoken in Manchester but for me now “words” are not enough anymore. BA has mounted a full frontal assault on Unite by what it is doing to the members and the reps and, to my mind, UNITE have been pretty toothless in response. They now have to wake up and smell the coffee. It is all very well sending umpteen reminders for us to vote for Milliwhatsit but, what is the point if back at the coal face (ie the front line) BA are systematically “taking out” the troops and their leadership with impunity? To be honest Unite are being taken as mugs, and I sensed the scale of your anger and frustration at their inactivity at the branch meeting. Since then I have sent them a strongly worded communication that enough is enough. We are at the crossroads and the Unite leadership have one hand on the wheel and the other on the indicator. They need to make the right turning. The wrong one will mean oblivion not only for this union but many others too.
At the meeting there was a call from the floor to raise the BASSA monthly subs by a fiver to help out the commuters. While this is a truly admirable gesture I expressed my doubts at the time that it would not be a workable and tangible benefit. Rough calculations means each person who commutes would be in line to get about £18 per month and, to be honest, I am extremely concerned how that would work out logistically and how on earth it would be administered. I have also noted conflicting comments on the forum as to who should get what and the whole idea, while symbolically fantastic, is fraught with pitfalls we would find hard to handle. I have not had the chance to discuss this matter with the Branch Committee yet so bear with me on this for the time being although I know just how hard it is for those out there who have lost their staff travel.
BASSA Lanyards - we have run out of the BASSA lanyards and will get some more made up. Again reading comments on the forum I am tempted to order 6000 vivid day glow yellow lanyards made up with BASSA XXXX on both sides to be sent to all strikers to wear with pride. But, we do not have the rep manpower for 6000 disciplinaries and we have enough "martyrs" to be going on with so a more discreet “recognition of taking industrial action” token will be organised shortly.
Well, that’s just about it from me, I know you are meant to inject a bit of humour into blogs but unlike Sunni, I am too old-fashioned to publicly discuss my sex life, so instead I will leave you with a conversation I recently had with a WW PSR, called Derek (in his day a bit of a ladies man) who over a beer confided -
“Duncan, you know I really am beginning to feel quite old”.
I said “Derek, surely not, what’s brought this on”?
He replied “I was watching a pornographic film in BKK the other day”.
“Yes” I said, yawning.
“And do you know what the first thing that came into my head was”
“No, tell me” I said (half dreading the answer).
“How comfortable the bed looked”!
I knew how he feels.
Take care, watch your back and it’s a cliche but “keep the faith”.
Cheers Duncan
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Negative
Quick look at website on my return. Yes still full of extreme non-hepful views - the usual nasties. How helpful is 'them and us'. No better than poison pen letters. Aren't you supposed to work alongside these people for the safety of our Customers? This sort of attitude on either side does not help.
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Gingertom:
I couldn't agree more, how regrettable that it has come to this. Quite frankly, I think I speak on behalf of most like minded people within BA but we are ALL totally fed up with BASSA and it's supporters. Those of us that came to work have been working as normal with strikers, treating them as any other member of the crew, we are not ignoring people in the CRC, cutting people dead when they try to speak to us. Making up silly songs and rhymes about 'scabs'. We do not feel the need to come to work adorned with 'XXX' keyrings, t-shirts and anything else that you can print it on. We do not have to take out a 'yellow pen' in the briefing to make our point or intimidate other crew members.
We are merely trying to get on with our jobs, working FOR our company and our customers. I would really like to hear your views on how we can change all of the above and work along side a minority of the community who clearly work AGAINST BA and it's colleagues, whether that be fellow Cabin Crew, Flight crew or ground staff who are VCC's?
I couldn't agree more, how regrettable that it has come to this. Quite frankly, I think I speak on behalf of most like minded people within BA but we are ALL totally fed up with BASSA and it's supporters. Those of us that came to work have been working as normal with strikers, treating them as any other member of the crew, we are not ignoring people in the CRC, cutting people dead when they try to speak to us. Making up silly songs and rhymes about 'scabs'. We do not feel the need to come to work adorned with 'XXX' keyrings, t-shirts and anything else that you can print it on. We do not have to take out a 'yellow pen' in the briefing to make our point or intimidate other crew members.
We are merely trying to get on with our jobs, working FOR our company and our customers. I would really like to hear your views on how we can change all of the above and work along side a minority of the community who clearly work AGAINST BA and it's colleagues, whether that be fellow Cabin Crew, Flight crew or ground staff who are VCC's?
Last edited by Chigley; 16th Sep 2010 at 18:49.