BA CC industrial relations (current airline staff only)

[Lady Fly Fly]

Ops Room

I was merely asking the question has anyone seen this info in the British Press.

What brought this on??

Just a thought, apart from having your SEP traning, smiling (I assume you do?) at our customers what exactly have you done to increase our profitability.

You could say that you behave in a proffesional manner and therefore attract return/new customers. Well, looking at the seat factor (and remember to adjust for less a/c + routes), the bad PR BA has had due to crew behaving like children and jeering at our own aircraft and chanting 'scabin crew' and the GPM results....

[Ops_Room_Junkie]

an appology prepared

I was merely asking the question has anyone seen this info in the British Press.

Oh, if that's the case then I am 100% sorry then.

But let's be totally honest, you weren't really just asking the question were you? Very easy to take the high morale ground I know, but lets be honest about why we post what we post.

Anyway, if you were really, really just asking a question then I appologise whole heartedly for my tone.

However, the points still stand. If he gets 22% for getting BA into profit and breaking BASSA/CC hold on our airline then he earns every penny.
The rest of us that come into work day in, day out earn our wages (and damm good ones they are) but we don't deserve a 22% rise for that. To get that you have to do something remarkable, something on-one has ever had the balls before to do. Well earned

[diut]

diut has left the thread to refresh his/her memory of what (s)he signed up to when (s)he joined PPRuNe earlier today.

CC Forum Moderators

[DeThirdDefect]

I have read in 'The Wall Street Journal' that WW will get a pay rise of 22% in his new role.

One could argue that because IAG is significantly bigger than BA in terms of things like turnover and number of employees, the salary of the CEO should be similarly larger.

[Colonel White]

Meanwhile in another part of the forest ...

Has anyone heard how Unite, BASSA, and CC89 are doing with getting the ballot of the ground ? Have they sent out the details and that helpful accompanying note that was promised ? I ask this as time is ticking on. Presumably there are BASSA members who intend to vote against the offer and really want another strike ballot in time for Crimbo. They'll not make it by my reckoning now as they need to allow at least three weeks for this consultative ballot, a further four weeks for a strike ballot (assuming that Unite let them and the offer is rejected) plus another week's notice of intended strike dates. My calendar makes that first available strike date now December 27th. Maybe it's time for those diehards to rethink their strategy. It might pay to accept this deal rather than make empty threats.

For those who continue to whinge about WW's possible pay hike for taking over as CEO of IAG, bear in mind that IAG will want to be seen to be offering a salary that is commensurate with the role - it just so happens that this time around, the person getting this is the current CEO of BA. Would cabin crew have complained if it had been the CEO of Iberia who got the job, or maybe someone brought in from American or from outside of the aviation business ? No. So why get your tights in a twist simply because the person is the current BA CEO ? It smacks of sheer envy.

[Hotel Mode]

And as if by magic.

BASSA > Latest News

FORTHCOMING BALLOT
Oct 27th, 2010 by admin

FORTHCOMING BALLOT

We were hoping that the ballot on the offer would have been posted to you by now. However it is being delayed by legal issues. One of these is the litigation mentioned in Walsh’s side letter. What exactly would have to given up by both sides in the claims going through courts is supposedly still not finalised. This is a very important part of any deal, and you need to know exactly what claims we would both have to concede.

Hopefully this delay will only be short. If, however this does put back our ballot more than a few days, we will have to consider reducing the amount of time the ballot runs for, as all of you are anxious for an outcome and all our subsequent options must remain open to us.

[MIDLGW]

CW,

There are allegedly some legal "issues" awaiting clarification in Bassa camp. What they are and why, I don't know, but that's the reason for delay to the ballot of the latest offer. Depending on when they can get clarification, they may reduce the time available for voting, which will probably end up in the same fashion as last time, ie very few votes.

[Colonel White]

Oh dear...does rather sound like BASSA are after a spot of gerrymandering again. I wonder if Unite will allow them to cut short the period for balloting again if it is only in order for BASSA to have a window of opportunity for a Crimbo strike. Of course the irony is that the people who would benefit from a return of staff travel will be the commuters, but they are unlikely to get voting details in time if BASSA reduce the voting period, so are likely to be royally stuffed.

For a bunch who would have difficulty organising an inebriate party in a brewery, BASSA do seem to be remarkably adroit at ensuring ballot results go the way that the executive want. I especially liked the comment

Hopefully this delay will only be short. If, however this does put back our ballot more than a few days, we will have to consider reducing the amount of time the ballot runs for, as all of you are anxious for an outcome and all our subsequent options must remain open to us.

The options remain open regardless of the timing. The branch, provided Unite agreed, could call a strike ballot, just that they could not walk out over Xmas the way that things are going now.

I do wonder if Unite will allow BASSA to get away with only two weeks for the consultative ballot. What mandate will BASSA have if less than half the members cast a vote ? Of course, the other nugget that will emerge is the number of members in the union now. If that has fallen below 9000, it might be quite tricky for Unite. Certainly, if a large number of members votes get discounted because they were recieved too late but were in favour of acceptance, I can see that the membership will be slashed. We shall see...

[dwshimoda]

CW...

...regarding WW's pay, I wonder if it would be classed as "market rate" for a CEO of an organisation with such a turnover? If it was, could be an interesting point for the new MF T's & C's.

[Colonel White]

Looking at what AF pay their CEO. WW is cheap - AF shell out 899,000euros. WW cops £743,000. OK so I have no details on bonuses, but the basic is eye watering.

[Abbey Road]

In his letter of 15 October to Brendan Barber, General Secretary TUC, Willie Walsh incuded the following extracts:

I am pleased to confirm that I will recommend to the BA Main Board to reinstate remaining staff travel concessions under the following circumstances:
.........

2. Behaviours
.........
In line with the spirit of the agreement, communications issued by Unite and its branches must be more balanced and measured than they have been.
.........

3. Litigation
Unite will not directly or indirectly commence, continue to pursue, fund or otherwise support any litigation against the company arising in relation to it’s calls for strike action or the strike action which it’s members took in December 2009, and/or March, May and June 2010. Details of the specific claims are included in the letter dated 15th October between British Airways Legal Dept and OH Parsons acting on behalf of Unite.

On this basis, I will recommend to the BA Main Board to authorise the granting of the remaining non-contractual staff travel concessions to those crew who no longer enjoy the concessions .........

BASSA's 27th October communication states:

..... One of these is the litigation mentioned in Walsh’s side letter. What exactly would have to given up by both sides in the claims going through courts is supposedly still not finalised. This is a very important part of any deal, and you need to know exactly what claims we would both have to concede. .....

Walsh's letter to Barber seems pretty clear to me - any and all litigation relating to the call for strikes, and actual strike action since December 2009! I'm not sure that BASSA has any choice in "What exactly would have to given up ...." It all has to be given up for Staff Travel to be returned in April 2013. And BASSA has to be "balanced and measured" whilst it gets on with it!

[MIDLGW]

CW,

Of course, the other nugget that will emerge is the number of members in the union now. If that has fallen below 9000, it might be quite tricky for Unite.

As pointed out earlier in the thread, many of us who have left Unite are still getting newsletters, gs election papers etc, so I doubt the figures will add up. Talking to some colleagues today, most of them left Unite at least 6 months ago, and are still receiving said documents.

[Watersidewonker]

The offer put forward by the company remains poor and a high rejection rate is predicted with BASSA members remaining firm in the view that the courts will be finding in our favour on many counts. Staff travel remains one sticking point although justice for fallen remains also a major concern. This company has used dirty tricks ( history repeating once again ) and I predict many claims for compensation to embarrass the company for many years to come.

[Wirbelsturm]

The offer put forward by the company remains poor and a high rejection rate is predicted with BASSA members remaining firm in the view that the courts will be finding in our favour on many counts.

On many counts of what? BASSA have failed in their bid to classify inmposition as contractual, they have failed to get staff travel back 'in 5 minutes'. The private action under the race relations act is a joke and clutching at straws. The court transcripts from the testimonies of the BASSA heirarchy in court were funnier than an episode of Ally McBeal including some of the shot down arguments of the BASSA QC.

The Government is cutting the bloated, unaffordable waste of the former Government and trying to attract the Private sector into making more jobs available and STILL BASSA bleat on about having a change imposed. Time to wake up.

Staff travel remains one sticking point although justice for fallen remains also a major concern.

The 'fallen'? You mean the ones who went through the Union recognised disciplinaries process after employing dirty tactics, threatening behaviour and bullying, or simply didn't bother turning up to work as the 'bruvverhud' was more important? Personally I wouldn't want someone who threatens families and children or threatens to doctor food and drink onboard my aeroplane. I feel that the thousands who don't support the BASSA actions would probably feel the same. They are most definitively NOT the fallen.

This company has used dirty tricks ( history repeating once again ) and I predict many claims for compensation to embarrass the company for many years to come.

What dirty tricks? So far, from the perspective of those who engaged in meaningful negotiation, the company has handled BASSA with 'kids gloves; and been very restrainied. I am sure you mean ST, even with ST why should the company compensate someone who chooses to live abroad and then chooses to financially damage their employers? If it is the case that the company is responsible for paying their travel bills then surely they should pay for my petrol as well as I don't live in the Sofitel T5? Even those contracted from abroad were only given dispensation to use ST during the initial 6 months. No where does it say they have a 'right' to use it. So what compensation can BASSA see being paid out?

More 'fluff' from BASSA with no substantiation.

[Abbey Road]

This company has used dirty tricks ( history repeating once again ) and I predict many claims for compensation to embarrass the company for many years to come.

Wirbelsturm, as you say, it is a sad indictment that the BASSA 'faithful' see everything that the company has done as "dirty tricks", but at the same time those 'faithful' utterly fail to acknowledge that many within their midst have committed illegal acts, and continue to advocate more of the same. They are living on a different planet!

If a rejection of the current offer occurs, a result which might be my personal preferred option, then a clear opportunity exists for the company to excise this rot for once and for all. If the offer is accepted, then it must include the cessation of any court processes, current or planned. Either way, BASSA are the losers.

And either way, BASSA may be facing some court actions themselves, from BA employees who were at the receiving end of the disgraceful actions of some of BASSA's members. BASSA loses ...... again!

[ottergirl]

From Unite's website under the title "message from a member"

So what now? Revenge is a dish best served cold. Reject the latest proposal.

How on earth is this conforming to the agreement that Unite will not do anything to persuade their members not to accept the latest proposal? This is irresponsible to say the least and is from the Unite website not the BASSA one. I truly despair of this ever being resolved.

“The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent British Airways’ positions, strategies or opinions.”

[Snas]

Ouch Ottergirl, good spot.

Moderate members of the union who wanted to vote to accept will have to just hope now that BA dont pull the rug based on that posting.

Doesnt anyone check anything that leaves these union offices? It seems to be a total free for all when it comes to speaking on behalf of both the union and it's members.

I loath the fact that nothing is ever signed also, "admin" being the best that you sometimes get. All rather odd in my view.

[Colonel White]

Ottergirl
It's in the weasel words ' a member '. This way Unite can say that it is not the view of the union but that they are allowing freedom of speech for member. The prose is reminiscent of a member who has agricultural interests

[Snas]

If that were the case Colonel and if I were Mr BA I would be looking for the "balance", which I recall was also part of the deal.

[Colonel White]

A small point. In the letter from WW to Brendan the court actions referred to are in a separate list forwarded to O.H. Parsons. So BASSA are well aware of what cases are involved. This prevarication sounds like BASSA looking for ways of reducing the time for the consultative ballot in a bid to fix the result. So much for democracy! Unite should be ashamed of allowing one of their branches to act in this way. It discredits the union movement.