BA CC industrial relations (current airline staff only)
Okay, posts crossed there Hiflyer, but Amicus isn't just about CC89. Why would Amicus members in general want to break away from Unite. I really don't think that is going to happen. In a similar vein, the rest of Unite (the majority!) have had enough of BASSA's childish behaviour and so Unite's leaders won't be supporting any further nonsense from the luvvies. That much is clear in the language of Unite's 'recommendation' that BA's offer is the best that can be expected in the circumstances.
BASSA are on their own now. I can see another of their cringeworthy videos coming along - "Clueless in Bedfont" anyone? (with apologies to Tom Hanks ....)
BASSA are on their own now. I can see another of their cringeworthy videos coming along - "Clueless in Bedfont" anyone? (with apologies to Tom Hanks ....)
Interesting item just posted on Wall Street Journal site re BASSA position and quoting a BASSA spokesman who is actually a retired BA CSD.
LONDON—-British Airways PLC's attempts to end a costly dispute with cabin crew over working terms hit another snag Wednesday as one group of labor-union representatives said they wouldn't endorse a new deal between the airline and the main labor union.
BA and labor union Unite had last month reached an agreement which could end the dispute that has caused cabin crew to strike for 22 days since March at a cost of more than £150 million ($239.8 million) to BA.
However, representatives of the Unite union's British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association said Wednesday they won't endorse the deal. Bassa represents most of the cabin crew.
Bassa spokesman Ken Ablard said the branch had "fundamental" issues with the agreement's stance on staff travel concessions and outstanding legal claims. "We will still ballot and we won't tell people to vote against it," said Mr. Ablard. "We will simply give people the facts and let them choose."
At issue, Mr. Ablard said, was a demand that the union give up all outstanding legal claims against the airline and a second clause that BA would have the right to take away staff travel concession rights at a later date.
According to Mr. Ablard, "legal claims" can include cases against BA by staff who haven't been striking, such as injury claims against the airline. BA had taken away travel concessions from striking cabin crew during the dispute, but later returned them as it sought to bring the argument to an end.
Still, Bassa intends to go to the European Court of Human Rights regarding BA's decision to penalize strikers with threats on their travel privileges, Mr. Ablard said. "Though we accept that travel privileges are a concession, their removal should not be used as a punishment for something that is within our legal rights."
Mr. Ablard said he expected BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh to drop the demands as a result of Bassa's refusal to endorse them. "He's just playing games," he said.
A spokeswoman for Unite declined to comment on Bassa's statements. In a statement, BA said it continues to "deal directly" with Unite. "It is Unite who will ballot their members, not Bassa or Amicus," the statement said. Amicus is a separate association within Unite that represents union members.
Copyright 2010 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
LONDON—-British Airways PLC's attempts to end a costly dispute with cabin crew over working terms hit another snag Wednesday as one group of labor-union representatives said they wouldn't endorse a new deal between the airline and the main labor union.
BA and labor union Unite had last month reached an agreement which could end the dispute that has caused cabin crew to strike for 22 days since March at a cost of more than £150 million ($239.8 million) to BA.
However, representatives of the Unite union's British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association said Wednesday they won't endorse the deal. Bassa represents most of the cabin crew.
Bassa spokesman Ken Ablard said the branch had "fundamental" issues with the agreement's stance on staff travel concessions and outstanding legal claims. "We will still ballot and we won't tell people to vote against it," said Mr. Ablard. "We will simply give people the facts and let them choose."
At issue, Mr. Ablard said, was a demand that the union give up all outstanding legal claims against the airline and a second clause that BA would have the right to take away staff travel concession rights at a later date.
According to Mr. Ablard, "legal claims" can include cases against BA by staff who haven't been striking, such as injury claims against the airline. BA had taken away travel concessions from striking cabin crew during the dispute, but later returned them as it sought to bring the argument to an end.
Still, Bassa intends to go to the European Court of Human Rights regarding BA's decision to penalize strikers with threats on their travel privileges, Mr. Ablard said. "Though we accept that travel privileges are a concession, their removal should not be used as a punishment for something that is within our legal rights."
Mr. Ablard said he expected BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh to drop the demands as a result of Bassa's refusal to endorse them. "He's just playing games," he said.
A spokeswoman for Unite declined to comment on Bassa's statements. In a statement, BA said it continues to "deal directly" with Unite. "It is Unite who will ballot their members, not Bassa or Amicus," the statement said. Amicus is a separate association within Unite that represents union members.
Copyright 2010 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Last edited by vctenderness; 10th Nov 2010 at 13:37. Reason: add article taken from WSJ
He is not employed by Unite and I believe he is paid directly by BASSA another unelected 'Klingon'.
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Mixed fleet
From the intranet (published today):
Mixed Fleet launched on 1 November, with the first flight to Prague. Other initial Mixed Fleet routes are Pisa and St Petersburg. Las Vegas and Denver will come on line in December. 145 crew have already started or completed training, with plans on track to deliver a further 120 crew per month
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Reports in one of the papers that BASSA are threatening wildcat walkouts over Christmas...
Obviously they are throwing a hissy fit because they are not going to get the chance to have a legitimate strike to ruin everyone’s Christmas. This must be their latest attempt to cause "1 Billion" in lost forward bookings.
I might be wrong here, but surely even BASSA are not stupid enough to have a wildcard walkout. BASSA/Unite would be sued back into the dark ages.
CB
Obviously they are throwing a hissy fit because they are not going to get the chance to have a legitimate strike to ruin everyone’s Christmas. This must be their latest attempt to cause "1 Billion" in lost forward bookings.
I might be wrong here, but surely even BASSA are not stupid enough to have a wildcard walkout. BASSA/Unite would be sued back into the dark ages.
CB
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Reports in one of the papers that BASSA are threatening wildcat walkouts over Christmas...
While they keep spitting out their dummies, the rest of us will carry on and hopefully make them irrelevant to BA.
It's time to toughen up against these deluded militants. They just cannot be reasoned with. When you have a poster such as the one on this forum that only talks 'strikes strikes strikes', and considers other departments less pertinent to BA, there really is no hope.
Not sure where they will get any sympathy from in an era where there is uncertainty in many areas, people losing jobs, houses and everything that comes with unemployment. Certainly not from me and many I know that continue to change working practises, and, as yet, still have no pay increase after more than two years. And as for guarantees...don't get me started!.
Reports in one of the papers that BASSA are threatening wildcat walkouts over Christmas...
Talk like that is merely a (transparent) attempt to supposedly frighten BA and passengers.
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I'm glad to see that BASSA are no longer recommending this excuse to an offer from BA. Bring on the ballot. Thousands of us, and we are in majority, will vote no to this offer. It appears as WW (getting a pay rise) does not want to reach an agreement with us.
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It appears as WW (getting a pay rise) does not want to reach an agreement with us.
Just read responses from posters on the Sky News web site, no surprises that they are'nt very complinentary..again.
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MissM
Exactly what do you hope to achieve by striking again?
Under what premise do you propose to ballet under? As it must be significantly different from the first round of action I cant see and new issues arising to strike under?
Under what premise do you propose to ballet under? As it must be significantly different from the first round of action I cant see and new issues arising to strike under?
Junior trash
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Perhaps Miss M can explain these statements from BASSA and how this squares with todays news? Is it that BASSA just dont have a clue whats going on and are constantly having to respond to Unite and BAs agenda?
Looks to me like Unite have pulled the rug from under BASSAs feet probably under pressure from BA. BA's response will be interesting.
Also interesting that you should mention a strike ballot, as Unite didnt mention it once in their message.
Is it perfect? No. Far from it. Does it address the issues of staff travel and disciplinaries? Yes it does. Is it to a level that is satisfactory? That will be your decision.
Contained in the offer from Mr. Walsh, you will notice his insistence that your union recommends the offer or it will not be made available for you to vote on, denying you your democratic vote. For this reason alone, your union will fulfill that request, because to do otherwise would be to deny you an opportunity to vote.
We are all the union, every single one of us, therefore we are not in the business of denying you that opportunity. So please be assured you will get your chance to vote to accept or reject it.
This has been a very bitter and damaging dispute for all sides and the airline as a whole. From that the resolution will never be perfect. This is a resolution. Does it go far enough? That’s for you to decide.
Your ballot, when it arrives will also contain a detailed analysis of the document, to help you to make up your mind.
Also interesting that you should mention a strike ballot, as Unite didnt mention it once in their message.
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I agree with Miss M... no alternative than to vote no.
Why a strike again? well think outside the box and not so narrowminded and you might get a grip on reality.
And maybe you should get ready for "pilots" are being next in line for paycuts and change in terms and conditions??
Does "Open Skies" still ring a bell??
Why a strike again? well think outside the box and not so narrowminded and you might get a grip on reality.
And maybe you should get ready for "pilots" are being next in line for paycuts and change in terms and conditions??
Does "Open Skies" still ring a bell??
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Thousands of us, and we are in majority, will vote no to this offer
As to the thousands being in the majority, the majority of what? Those that could be bothered to vote? the majority of BASSA members? the majority of crew? I suspect it will only be a majority of those that can be bothered to vote, much like last time, when BASSA claimed that less than 4000 was a majority, it's not even a majority of BASSA members.
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I think Unite are panicking. They have already seen their membership in BASSA drop and they are scared of losing more members.
Its all about the power of Unite, and the money.
I would like to know how many members have resigned recently. The BASSA website has stopped updating the figures. The last time they gave an actual figure on membership is was just over 9000. Now they say they are the biggest branch of UNITE with approximately 10000 members! Hmmm misleading I think!
All they are actually doing is making themselves look more stupid. Making announcements that are not co ordinated and random so that it is clear they do not know what they doing.
Its all about the power of Unite, and the money.
I would like to know how many members have resigned recently. The BASSA website has stopped updating the figures. The last time they gave an actual figure on membership is was just over 9000. Now they say they are the biggest branch of UNITE with approximately 10000 members! Hmmm misleading I think!
All they are actually doing is making themselves look more stupid. Making announcements that are not co ordinated and random so that it is clear they do not know what they doing.
The latest news from the LBC.97.3 website looks like it is 'game on again for the headbangers!
BA Cabin Crew Ballot Called Off, Union Says
Thursday, 11th November 2010 12:28
A ballot of British Airways cabin crew on resolving their long-running dispute with the airline has been suspended, Unite has announced.
A vote on strike action now looks likely after members of the union refused to back a new deal put forward by the airline.
It had been hoped a breakthrough in the dispute may be on the horizon following a series of walk-outs by crew since March.
Unite had been due to ask its 11,000 members whether they wanted to accept a suggested deal, with voting expected to be held in the coming weeks.
It had been thought the offer would be recommended for acceptance by union leaders.
But Unite's joint leader Tony Woodley said any sense that the deal was being presented to cabin crew over the heads of "unwilling representatives" would be damaging to the union.
"Under these circumstances I have suspended the ballot on the offer and will meet with all of our cabin crew representatives as a matter of urgency to consider the next steps," he said.
Sky News' business presenter Joel Hills said a strike over Christmas was considered highly unlikely.
"Any strike over the festive period can be almost ruled out now," he said.
"Any postal ballot would take at least four weeks and the union would then need to give BA a week's notice. It would be virtually impossible for them to squeeze that in before Christmas."
The dispute began over a year ago, initially over cost savings.
But the battle intensified as disciplinary action was taken against cabin crew who went on strike and were also stripped of their travel concessions.
Unite members have taken 22 days of strike action earlier this year, costing the airline £150m and disrupting travel for passengers.
Under the proposed deal, the union would have had to drop legal action on behalf of members who have been disciplined and agree to a period of no industrial action before the travel concessions were fully restored.
(c) Sky News 2010
BA Cabin Crew Ballot Called Off, Union Says
Thursday, 11th November 2010 12:28
A ballot of British Airways cabin crew on resolving their long-running dispute with the airline has been suspended, Unite has announced.
A vote on strike action now looks likely after members of the union refused to back a new deal put forward by the airline.
It had been hoped a breakthrough in the dispute may be on the horizon following a series of walk-outs by crew since March.
Unite had been due to ask its 11,000 members whether they wanted to accept a suggested deal, with voting expected to be held in the coming weeks.
It had been thought the offer would be recommended for acceptance by union leaders.
But Unite's joint leader Tony Woodley said any sense that the deal was being presented to cabin crew over the heads of "unwilling representatives" would be damaging to the union.
"Under these circumstances I have suspended the ballot on the offer and will meet with all of our cabin crew representatives as a matter of urgency to consider the next steps," he said.
Sky News' business presenter Joel Hills said a strike over Christmas was considered highly unlikely.
"Any strike over the festive period can be almost ruled out now," he said.
"Any postal ballot would take at least four weeks and the union would then need to give BA a week's notice. It would be virtually impossible for them to squeeze that in before Christmas."
The dispute began over a year ago, initially over cost savings.
But the battle intensified as disciplinary action was taken against cabin crew who went on strike and were also stripped of their travel concessions.
Unite members have taken 22 days of strike action earlier this year, costing the airline £150m and disrupting travel for passengers.
Under the proposed deal, the union would have had to drop legal action on behalf of members who have been disciplined and agree to a period of no industrial action before the travel concessions were fully restored.
(c) Sky News 2010Last edited by vctenderness; 11th Nov 2010 at 13:28. Reason: remove photo