BA CC industrial relations (current airline staff only)
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Statement from BA on strike ballot
Unite has this afternoon (Tuesday) said that it will hold another ballot for strike action by its cabin crew members.
The ballot will run from March 1, 2011 to March 28, 2011. In the event that the ballot finds in favour of industrial action, the earliest Unite could undertake strike action would be April 4, 2011.
British Airways said: "Apart from a tiny minority of hardliners, everyone now wants this dispute to be over.
"It is time for Unite to reflect the mood of its members and seek to promote discussion, not disruption."
The airline also confirmed that should there be any further industrial action, it will implement its well-established contingency plans.
It will fly a full schedule at London City and London Gatwick. It is also planning to fly 100 per cent of its Heathrow longhaul operation and a substantial part of its Heathrow shorthaul schedule.
The ballot will run from March 1, 2011 to March 28, 2011. In the event that the ballot finds in favour of industrial action, the earliest Unite could undertake strike action would be April 4, 2011.
British Airways said: "Apart from a tiny minority of hardliners, everyone now wants this dispute to be over.
"It is time for Unite to reflect the mood of its members and seek to promote discussion, not disruption."
The airline also confirmed that should there be any further industrial action, it will implement its well-established contingency plans.
It will fly a full schedule at London City and London Gatwick. It is also planning to fly 100 per cent of its Heathrow longhaul operation and a substantial part of its Heathrow shorthaul schedule.
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Unite general secretary Len McCluskey writes: "If BA's management believes that it can secure industrial harmony by these methods it is living in a fools’ paradise. Only negotiation, not litigation or intimidation, can start to heal the wounds caused by this dispute.
Well at least the penny has finally dropped that "no negotiation" as decided by a tiny percentage of the membership at the racecourse was not the best way to solve the dispute. It really didn't have to be like this.
Well at least the penny has finally dropped that "no negotiation" as decided by a tiny percentage of the membership at the racecourse was not the best way to solve the dispute. It really didn't have to be like this.
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Groundhog day - except in the film, things got better in the end for everyone- not for the membership though in this case 
Last edited by From Tunbridge Wells; 22nd Feb 2011 at 19:11. Reason: Clarifiy
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Let them ballot, we can't stop them. As it goes, neither can Bassa members because we have all seen how Mr DH publicly deals with dissenters and only ballots when he thinks he might win.
Let them vote for strike, we can't stop them. I doubt if they'll beat the ineffective 43% of the population that they acheived last time.
Let them strike, we can't stop them. We can encourage them to work though.
Let them pay the consequences.
Let them vote for strike, we can't stop them. I doubt if they'll beat the ineffective 43% of the population that they acheived last time.
Let them strike, we can't stop them. We can encourage them to work though.
Let them pay the consequences.
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Ahh... but if someone has already logged a request for sight of BASSA's books, the meter is already ticking and the 28 days for coming up with the goods will expire before the ballot closes. I sincerely hope that BASSA don't try to fob this off as it could scupper their ballot. I'm sure that here is no cause for concern on the book-keeping. A responsible branch would know that any irregularities or untoward payments would leave them open to criticism and thus they would not place themselves in such a position.
I note that the tenor of Len McCluskey's comments suggest that the ballot will once again be linked to the previous action. I just wonder if the BASSA faithful who will once again vote for action appreciate that there are enough temporary cabin crew available for BA to be able to sack strikers and run a 100% schedule. As soon as the company starts issuing P45s it can take on temps, strike or no strike. I just wonder whether those keeping the faith are prepared to not only lose staff travel but also their jobs. I do hope that the union point out the potential issues with any strike as I'm not sure if they are covered legally from action by the membership if they don't.
I note that the tenor of Len McCluskey's comments suggest that the ballot will once again be linked to the previous action. I just wonder if the BASSA faithful who will once again vote for action appreciate that there are enough temporary cabin crew available for BA to be able to sack strikers and run a 100% schedule. As soon as the company starts issuing P45s it can take on temps, strike or no strike. I just wonder whether those keeping the faith are prepared to not only lose staff travel but also their jobs. I do hope that the union point out the potential issues with any strike as I'm not sure if they are covered legally from action by the membership if they don't.
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And this from LM at Unite to all their non-crew members
Well thats one way of trying to thin out the VCC volunteers!
I want to be very clear in my statement to all members of our union. I expect all members to support our cabin crew members taking industrial action.
Just for one minute put yourselves in the position of those involved in the dispute. They have been villified, harassed and victimised, all for standing up to maintain terms of employment and agreements. It's a disgrace and I expect all our members to recognise and respect this.
Just for one minute put yourselves in the position of those involved in the dispute. They have been villified, harassed and victimised, all for standing up to maintain terms of employment and agreements. It's a disgrace and I expect all our members to recognise and respect this.
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Len McCluskey: What a difference a year makes
First of all, I was just having a look back at posts and sense that I might have offended Ottergirl with a slightly curt reference to the BASSA accounts. Apologies if I did offend but have to say that no offense was intended and co-incidentally I am probably one of your biggest fans for your very realistic take on the whole situation.
Moving on:
22nd Feb 2011: Unite general secretary Len McCluskey writes-
And a quick peek one year back into the world of Len McCluskey 11.24am 21st Mar 2010:
SOCIALIST UNITY BA - STRIKE UPDATE
Preceded by:
YouTube - BA staff to vote on strike again
My personal view is that perhaps now is a good time to face up to the situation before circa 5000 excellent people really do feel the cold wind blow and I am sensing that it will. I acknowledge the current concerns regarding dismissals, staff travel etc but please do not complain 12 months down the line when reality does bite and you are possibly unemployed and there is no position available in other walks of life that offers rewards comparable to what you had at BA.
I am aware that we have brain surgeons, barristers, actuarial accountants, astronauts, nuclear physicists, forensic pathologists in our midst who have the option to return to their former careers but for the most part we are just ordinary hard working people enjoying a decent lifestyle.
I accept that there will be more changes this year but I think there may be a shock for the section of the cabin crew community who find it difficult to embrace change.
Moving on:
22nd Feb 2011: Unite general secretary Len McCluskey writes-
Only negotiation, not litigation or intimidation, can start to heal the wounds caused by this dispute
SOCIALIST UNITY BA - STRIKE UPDATE
Preceded by:
YouTube - BA staff to vote on strike again
My personal view is that perhaps now is a good time to face up to the situation before circa 5000 excellent people really do feel the cold wind blow and I am sensing that it will. I acknowledge the current concerns regarding dismissals, staff travel etc but please do not complain 12 months down the line when reality does bite and you are possibly unemployed and there is no position available in other walks of life that offers rewards comparable to what you had at BA.
I am aware that we have brain surgeons, barristers, actuarial accountants, astronauts, nuclear physicists, forensic pathologists in our midst who have the option to return to their former careers but for the most part we are just ordinary hard working people enjoying a decent lifestyle.
I accept that there will be more changes this year but I think there may be a shock for the section of the cabin crew community who find it difficult to embrace change.
Last edited by Rover90; 23rd Feb 2011 at 02:10.
.... we have all seen how Mr DH publicly deals with dissenters and only ballots when he thinks he might win.
I want to be very clear in my statement to all members of our union. I expect all members to support our cabin crew members taking industrial action.
Just for one minute put yourselves in the position of those involved in the dispute. They have been villified, harassed and victimised, all for standing up to maintain terms of employment and agreements. It's a disgrace and I expect all our members to recognise and respect this.
Just for one minute put yourselves in the position of those involved in the dispute. They have been villified, harassed and victimised, all for standing up to maintain terms of employment and agreements. It's a disgrace and I expect all our members to recognise and respect this.
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Another strike? Hardly!!
Don’t worry folks, another strike is quite unlikely to happen.
1. Those clowns at BASSA need to ballot in a way that doesn’t fall foul of current rules and regulations, including getting their membership records straight.
(Not a very good track record so far)
2. Finding a reason for the strike that isn't a continuation of the previous IA and is in no way connected.
3. If a vote in favor of IA is indeed returned, they need to convince UNITE to finance any further costly strike action.
(I have a feeling UNITE have bigger fish to fry, with hard working people up and down the country loosing their jobs, rather than this out of control nuthouse BASSA branch which is hell bend on getting it their way)
4. And even if a strike could, against all the odds go ahead.
It won’t make a blind bit of difference.
As proven in the past, operation will go ahead due to the huge support of sensible cabin crew who had enough of BASSA, as well as an army of volunteers who want this madness to end and BA to get on with business.
So why strike at all if you know full well the outcome is most likely to leave you even worse off then before?
Because a chosen militants few at the top of BASSA have a personal vendetta against BA and want their revenge, no matter what the price.
Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind.
I say, if the BASSA faithful still haven't learned after all the spectacular disasters of the last 2 years, to look at the bigger picture and how badly they have been let down by their beloved, destruction driven and incompetent BASSSA then:
LET THEM STRIKE THEIR HEARTS OUT……..
AND DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS....
1. Those clowns at BASSA need to ballot in a way that doesn’t fall foul of current rules and regulations, including getting their membership records straight.
(Not a very good track record so far)
2. Finding a reason for the strike that isn't a continuation of the previous IA and is in no way connected.
3. If a vote in favor of IA is indeed returned, they need to convince UNITE to finance any further costly strike action.
(I have a feeling UNITE have bigger fish to fry, with hard working people up and down the country loosing their jobs, rather than this out of control nuthouse BASSA branch which is hell bend on getting it their way)
4. And even if a strike could, against all the odds go ahead.
It won’t make a blind bit of difference.
As proven in the past, operation will go ahead due to the huge support of sensible cabin crew who had enough of BASSA, as well as an army of volunteers who want this madness to end and BA to get on with business.
So why strike at all if you know full well the outcome is most likely to leave you even worse off then before?
Because a chosen militants few at the top of BASSA have a personal vendetta against BA and want their revenge, no matter what the price.
Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind.
I say, if the BASSA faithful still haven't learned after all the spectacular disasters of the last 2 years, to look at the bigger picture and how badly they have been let down by their beloved, destruction driven and incompetent BASSSA then:
LET THEM STRIKE THEIR HEARTS OUT……..
AND DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS....
Last edited by flyingsoldier1993; 24th Feb 2011 at 09:44.
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I don't have any personal grievences with Len McLuskey as he is obliged to support his branches, even when he does not necessarily agree with them.
What Len does need to acknowledge though is this; his predecessor Mr Woodley came to a full and acceptable agreement with BA on two occasions. Although Mr Simpson was busy tweeting to the National Socialist Party during these negotiations (not litigations), a deal was reached.
The last ballot for IA was sent out , with Len's approval, even though the Community were disallowed their entitlement to accept the deal because DH didn't like it any more.
That is why there is now another IA ballot, because DH and Ms LM don't like it.
This is Mr McLuskey's tenure as Gen Sec so it is now up to him to end this dispute.
Our balls are in your court, Len.
What Len does need to acknowledge though is this; his predecessor Mr Woodley came to a full and acceptable agreement with BA on two occasions. Although Mr Simpson was busy tweeting to the National Socialist Party during these negotiations (not litigations), a deal was reached.
The last ballot for IA was sent out , with Len's approval, even though the Community were disallowed their entitlement to accept the deal because DH didn't like it any more.
That is why there is now another IA ballot, because DH and Ms LM don't like it.
This is Mr McLuskey's tenure as Gen Sec so it is now up to him to end this dispute.
Our balls are in your court, Len.
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Excellent links VintageKrug
Particularly interesting was 37d which specifies that anyone prosecuted & convicted under the act can also bear the cost of the investigation.....ouch.
Particularly interesting was 37d which specifies that anyone prosecuted & convicted under the act can also bear the cost of the investigation.....ouch.
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Mixed fleet are now to be trained on the 747. Response to the ballot notification or just a coincidence? Another own goal from those tasked with "representing" the crew on established fleets. It really didn't have to be like this.
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Vegas is on the 747 from June. Just because a destination is MF this month doesn't mean it will always be a MF route. The routes will swap between MF and WW depending upon 'commercial need'.
Junior trash
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Vegas is on the 747 from June. Just because a destination is MF this month doesn't mean it will always be a MF route. The routes will swap between MF and WW depending upon 'commercial need'.
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Licence to Fly,
Why would you say something like that.
It actually makes you no better than Bassa, scaremongering crew.
As I am sure you are aware, many of us have signed an individual agreement and received back a personal letter from BA confirming that are current terms and conditions are protected.
The agreement also confirms that routes will be transferred in a FAIR and transparent way and this will be monitored by ACAS.
The mere fact that thousands of us have now signed this agreement and received personal assurances back surely is an indication that BA is not intending to force everyone onto Mixed Fleet or have Mixed Fleet operate 'nearly all the routes' as you seem to suggest.
It is hard enough for those of us that want an end to this dispute to persuade Bassa supporters that Bassa is scaremongering them, without people like you posting comments like that, Don't you think?
Why would you say something like that.
It actually makes you no better than Bassa, scaremongering crew.
As I am sure you are aware, many of us have signed an individual agreement and received back a personal letter from BA confirming that are current terms and conditions are protected.
The agreement also confirms that routes will be transferred in a FAIR and transparent way and this will be monitored by ACAS.
The mere fact that thousands of us have now signed this agreement and received personal assurances back surely is an indication that BA is not intending to force everyone onto Mixed Fleet or have Mixed Fleet operate 'nearly all the routes' as you seem to suggest.
It is hard enough for those of us that want an end to this dispute to persuade Bassa supporters that Bassa is scaremongering them, without people like you posting comments like that, Don't you think?