At 0900 T5 numbers of CC who had turned up for work, 75% Longhaul and 68% Shorthaul. Great turnout lots of happy faces a few looks of concern (but not many). I have spoken to a few over the last few days saying thanks to CC saying thanks ,but today I would have had no voice left.

One young lad who looked very nervous when I meet him in the corridor on Saturday was so pleased when I spoke to him and said it was great to see him in was really appreciated by everybody, had a beaming smile when I left him and said he was so pleased to know that other BA staff would feel the same.

Knew there were far more CC staff in as the canteen was far busier this morning, even tho they had been selling 99p breakfasts for all BA staff for the last three days. Great photo of Cardiff. Unite and BASSA spin will surely bit them in the bum soon.

Again to all CC who read this and have turned THANKS :ok:

Cranebank
 

Spent the day in Cranebank today . The manager in the SEP forum gave out some real numbers for crew reporting. What the figures showed is a tangible increase each day.

It's my view that LHR could see 75 % OR HIGHER of crew reporting next Saturday.

Also; the staff travel subject was discussed. Its clear that many people have made great personal sacrifice to the "backing BA campaign". The pilots and other volunteers have given up many days to study prior to and during these cabin crew courses.

There is no way WW will want to slap these people in the face by returning staff travel privileges to strikers once they return to work. It's been explored by the lawyers many months ago and its clear. STRIKERS ( AND THOSE WITHOUT DISTINCT PROVEABLE SICKNESS) HAVE ALREADY LOST STAFF TRAVEL.

So please explain why Bassa's 'Fair' settlement involves LGW taking a pay cut to pay for the most expensive crew member, the LHR CSD, to go back to taking no part in the service?

Yes quite - I couldn't really see why some of the poorest paid in the industry should take a paycut to protect the T&C's of the highest paid in the industry.

The BASSA forum is apparently coming alive with posts about rosters in the coming week being wiped. It looks like the beginning of a plane to re-roster those who thought they might come in Tuesday to Friday this week for a trip, only to scurry away over the second-stage 4-day strike period. I think BA is going to call someones bluff here.

It is also worth bearing in mind that letter from Bill Francis to all cabin crew:

So, for those who have already been on strike, BA has already stopped their pay, and will not be paying them until "the point we can reasonably allocate you another duty and you come in for that duty." The duty will be called by BA, not some now-mythical roster. If cabin crew still don't show for something rostered this coming Saturday to Tuesday (27-30 March) then that is going to be a major slice of pay and allowances - well over a weeks worth. And still, strikers will not be working until BA says so. They might want to reflect very carefully on that.

Unite doesn't seem to have done it's sums. If it claims as many of it's members are on strike as it says, then how long does Unite think it can pay strikers the promised £30/day? If one generously assumes that Unite will only pay for the 7 announced strike dates (so far), that is £210/striker. Multiply that by the claimed 80% of it's members it keeps telling us are on strike (assume 80% of 11500 members = 9200 x £210) and that is going to cost Unite £1932000! £1.9 million per 7 days, folks! How long would Unite last if BA played hardball? But you and I know that it isn't 80% of BASSA out on strike, nothing like that. And so does Unite, but they seem content to lie publicly about it. Why? Because they are in a serious jam. A corner of their own making. But the lies and subversion will finally catch them out.

BASSA's latest missive is suggesting that strike breakers should be the first people put on to a New Fleet contract. There seems to be a complete blanking out of the fact that if the strikers have jobs after all this, then it is they who are in danger of being on a new, substantially reduced contract. BASSA and Unite - what a team, hey?

Fluffy
 

A reminder what I said, To which BACabinCrew replied,
Apologies for my direct wording. I respect your democratic right to withdraw your labour. What you are failing to appreciate is that many of your striking colleagues have chosen to be intimidating to those who exercise their democratic right to go to work. If you can't imagine the scenario let me try.

Briefing room. Militant SCCM. Most of the crew are listening intently to the diatribe of the BASSA hardliner. Body language of one individual- Eyes cast down. Militant SCCM sees this and focusses on the individual who evidently does not support their views. Direct question arises - "Did you come in to work?"

It is my intention to pop round to the briefing room and say, "If anyone feels that they are being intimidated in this room, come to me - I will not tolerate any bullying on our aircraft."

It's been said a thousand times, but no-one outside BASSA supports this action. A significant majority of these colleagues feel BA is not in a fit state to let UNITE/BASSA dictate to it. We have seen the final 'offers'. You will not be impoverished, in fact I still have a sour taste in my mouth knowing that the concessions my union, BALPA have made reduce my individual pay (% not £'s!) more than the offer would affect yours, despite the protestations BASSA are making.

I worked on Saturday - The act of bravery, coupled with pragmatism, that the cabin crew exhibited by turning up to work has earned them my unswerving loyalty. The least I can do is make an unpopular, but necessary speech in the Cabin Crew briefing room to protect these stalwarts from the BASSA wolves.

@ apaddyinuk

Sorry to burst your bubble, but BA have legal obligations to only release factual information. This is because it is a public company and false info could deceive investors.

On the contrary, BASSA puts out direct lies, for example 'only 26 crew reported' - there were more than that sitting in the coffee bar in CRC when I was there on day one.

BA have written to the BBC explaining that by giving each side equal weight, it detracts from BA's obligations as above. Lawyers have now been called in.

After UNITE have admitted defeat, I hope that any settlement doesn't disadvantage those cc who have loyally supported the company, they deserve to be rewarded, if anything.

Just stood down as volunteer
 

I have returned from LHR after being stood down for my volunteering duties. I am estimating around 25 volunteer CC there when I checked in. When I left, 4 had been used, and the rest stood down.

Please, BA crew, start accepting that the union is feeding you absolute lies. CRC is full of "normal" crew, happy to operate. Yes, there is a reduced schedule, as planned. And yes, flights are going out with minimum crew. But to believe anything along the line of only 15% of crew reporting for duty is absolutely crazy.

Ask yourself, how does Unite come to this conclusion? They have NO way of telling who is reporting for duty. They DON'T know how many pax are on flights and they DON'T know where our aircraft are. Yet they are stating their "facts" as if they've personally verified them. If they are coming out with this rubbish as fact, what else are they lying to you about?

Think long and hard about your next step. You're being lied to by Unite and soon it will be to late to do anything about it.

didn't help that they were actually picketing the wrong terminal :E

Paddy,

If you'd like an example of BASSA/Unite spin, take a look at the photo of twenty BA jets parked up in Cardiff on page 4 of this thread.

Just to reiterate, BA is a PLC. They have legal obligations to shareholders. If they were lying, they would be breaking the law. Unfortunately, that is not the case for BASSA.

What complete and utter nonsense from BASSA.

They are quite clearly barking mad and have completely lost the plot.

Interesting that the tone has changed somewhat in their latest ramblings...talk of waiting for latest cost cutting numbers etc rather than 'brothers we're all staying out until we achieve the brilliant outcome we have in our sights???'

Willie doesn't need to talk to Unite at all in my view. Just keep growing the schedule every day and keeping any strikers at home.

There is absolutely no way there is ever going to be a negotiated settlement now because BASSA can't agree to a deal without staff travel being reinstated and Willie is NEVER going to do that. Its not just a disagreement now about the finances, it cuts much deeper than that, which is why this will run and run until individual crew have run out of energy and money. Quite what Willie will do with the striking crew is still unclear, but if I were them I'd be very very worried by now.

deeceethree
 

For your information the Gatwick Cabin Crew picket was planned to be there until circa 11:00 am and was then bussed up to Bedfont to join the 100's of other Cabin Crew members.

Please dont waste your time by posting rubbish

'paddy'

..I think you'll find it's a 'dictatorship' your after, not communism.

..anyhow, what is intriguing is not a single whinging passenger has been aired to any great extent. Why? Because BASSA has allowed BA to plan this straregy for an awful long time. The real money-spinners have been targetted and are still finding their flights operating, and by willing crew.

UNITES joint Gen Secs are now pleading on national, prime time for Mr Walsh to re-table. Oh, how so much of BASSA's incompetence has been lost in the noise. Remember Len, at the big meeting, 'you have given us a mandate for non-negotiation members'. :bored:

To striking crew, and there are loads reading this thread - I really don't think that you have thought much of this through. XXXX on your roster is, I would suggest, not a badge of honour, but a means by which BA management have you at their mercy - BA will choose the time and place of your return, to your distinct disadvantage. This has gotten very ugly, but you were warned on countless occasions, prior to last Saturday. Pandoras' Box lid has been jemmied off.

nurj

I'm a pilot BTW - obvious innit. Good luck. I'll give this post 15 minutes - so take a screen shot :E

New Contracts
 

It is a fact that a lot of striking crew, as well having their rosters wiped with XXXX's have also been asked to attend Cranebank tomorrow, not in uniform to "sign a contract". :eek:

As yet, no-one knows what said contract details and whether it's a whole new contract of employment or simply a no-strike agreement. I'm sure details will emerge either later today, or more likely after midday tomorrow (as first interviews I know of start at 11am). Watch this space. :\

Forgiveness
 

BentleyH wrote,I would hope for the companies sake, that BA show mercy for crew who return contritely to their roles. Forgiveness is a virtue much needed in the aftermath of this sorry era of our company.

FWIW, I'm flightcrew and I'll post a picture of the ramp at CWL every day for the next month to demonstrate the **** UNITE is spinning!

:E

As a colleague of mine wrote on another forum:

"Never interrupt your enemy while he's making a mistake."

Nutjob said...
My understanding is that a company cannot discriminate against employees engaged in a legal strike... (except for non-contractual items)

Can you reveal your source?

Fab picture Mariner 9/Human Factor. As I said the other day NLB and NLC parked up. IVF having the first 747 prime mod.

Back to the the thead. I am totally appauled by Unites behaviour and lies (as well as them not berating BASSA for suggesting that we engineers give them back 'I'll maintained aircraft'). My concern now is that I don't see an end to it.

I see both sides digging their heels in and If they do get to a stage where an offer would be acceptable to be balloted, staff travel would be thrown into the mix by the Comical Mcluskey and we would be back to square one.

Any thoughts on how this is going to pan out?

They are not on strike tomorrow.

Am I the only one to feel distinctly uncomfortable at seeing the behaviour of the BASSA contingent at Bedfont on TV?

Masks of WW with 'Devil horns' hastily scribbled on, a washing line with underpants & the slogan "Willie is pants", derogatory banners and chanting, etc. All very undignified. What must our pax make of it all?

This does nothing for the dignity of the profession or the uniform.

It demonstrates the calibre of mentality of those concerned, but I feel hugely embarrassed that these people should represent BA- in any guise.

..buttons (nuclear), spring to mind. No wonder BA have been keeping their powder dry. A very neat wat of offering militancy a way out - with dignity.

IMHO

nurj :}

Dave747436

My source is the BASSA Forum where tens of crew are admitting that they have been told they must have this mystery interview (as described) and have said that the BA Employee (crewing / scheduler?) who told them about it said it was about "signing a contract" before they came back to work.

That is all the details I have at the moment but it is not an isolated incident and a good few crew are reporting the same. Reporting sketchy as even they don't seem to know what it's about.

I guess the next 24 hours will see things become clear

Right Engine
 

'I would hope for the companies sake, that BA show mercy for crew who return contritely to their roles. Forgiveness is a virtue much needed in the aftermath of this sorry era of our company'

I agree with you again Right Engine, though if their behaviour is anything like that portrayed at the Bedfont Football Club and the picket lines, I'd assume contrition is something not in their volcabulary.

I hope I'm wrong...who knows? :rolleyes:

Sky News is reporting the costs to BA have been 7 million a day x 3 days. I assume that any new deal WW presents to Unite/Bassa will be 21 million quid worse off now.
Unless Unite backs down, I can't really see how next weeks strikes are going to be avoided.
If next weeks strikes go ahead, I can't see the strikers coming back to work for BA again either. It seems to have turned very personal.
A real shame for the many good people that have been caught up in all this.

I hear the programme for the next strike dates is nearly finalised.
It includes an almost complete schedule at Gatwick and a substantially increased programme at Heathrow. I think they will be able to quote flying over 80% of passengers next weekend.

All from a very reliable senior source in Waterside.

Woodley will be looking even more desperate than he already does when those factual numbers get released. I suspect he might start to take more of a back seat and let Looney Len take the flack!

Contracts
 

I suspect it will be some non-strike agreement for next weekend or something similar. I doubt they'll go fully nuclear tomorrow. Maybe, one last chance and if you still stay away...........who knows :(

For those talking about staff Travel. Lets see if any strikers can still access (and successfully book a ticket on) ST on Friday.

Sounds like a rumor to me, I've seen a couple of shorthaul rosters and the crew are coming straight back to work.

I'd have thought BA will need them back at work otherwise how do they geta full schedule away ??

British Airways Statement On Unite Stike - PROFIT OUTLOOK UNCHANGED
 

BA has released this statement today at 1830.

The behaviour of the BASSA fundamentalists at Bedfont is shocking. Obviously not a care in the world for our customers who have had their travel plans disrupted. You are carrying on like you've had too many alcopops in the local park! How do you expect to be taken seriously? I too will not tolerate any bullying of the loyal (and sober) crew that have had the intelligence not to strike. Being off-loaded will only add to your problems!

Good luck to all at the PCCC - you have earned the respect of the BA flight crew community through your bravery.

I have been on strike and have been rostered a trip tomorrow with no mention of any meeting beforehand.

Little bit of a warning
 

I was reading the Guardian web pages today and found that they are directly quoting from here:
BA strike final day - how it happened | News | guardian.co.uk

Might be worth bearing in mind when writing posts.

However, many staff like me are finding this interesting reading and giving an extra insight to the dispute. For this, I thank the contributors.

Mark.

I believe that those who have been on strike may well have had their ID cards "parked". This as a precaution to stop strikers infiltrating CRC etc and taking names. It is probable that this mystery meeting is merely the process of "unparking" their ID cards and allowing them to return to work on the promise of no strike at the weekend. No promise = no return to work.

Arthur,would have thought aircraft will continue to fly with with minimum legal crew levels than were originally asked ( ironic) as some flights have done apparently, according to earlier posts.

Meaningless. It's easy to sympathise with cabin crew for a poll that doesn't cost the public a penny.

Does anyone believe that sympathy will extend to paying an extra £100 on their summer holiday air fare rather than go with EasyJet?

Not a chance.

From the Sun
 

From The Sun

Nice to see a bit of sensational journalism

British Heirways


PRINCE William jetted home from skiing yesterday using strike-hit British Airways - enraging union firebrands hell-bent on grounding him.
Wills, 27, joined tens of thousands who defiantly boarded jets - some of the flights using specially- chartered planes.

The Prince and 200 passengers flew home from Switzerland on an aircraft supplied by Jet2 - complete with cabin crew to replace those on strike.



First class ... BA-chartered Jet2 plane
He enjoyed a fuss-free three-hour flight to Heathrow's Terminal 5 as the weekend plot to bring BA grinding to a halt spectacularly flopped.

The relieved airline saw virtually ALL its staff report for duty at Gatwick - and more than half turn up at Heathrow.

BA chiefs were even able to add flights to the pared-down service they expected to run.

The Unite union was left desperate for a propaganda coup to bolster its three-day walkout by cabin crew, which started on Saturday and continues today. Its biggest hope was to strand Wills in Geneva after his ski holiday with girlfriend Kate Middleton, 28.

A source said of the Prince's flight: "It's a major kick in the teeth for the unions.

"They would have loved to have embarrassed BA by leaving William struggling."



Dispute ... Heathrow pickets
Humiliated Unite, which called the strikes because loss-making BA needs to cut costs, insisted 80 per cent of its 12,000 members joined walkouts which affected an estimated 60,000 passengers.

Union supremo Tony Woodley saluted the "magnificent" support. But today BA expects to run up to three quarters of scheduled flights. Mr Woodley urged BA's board to go behind the back of chief Willie Walsh to negotiate with strikers. A fresh walkout next Saturday is due to last four days.

Unite has poured £11million into Labour's coffers in the past three years - and ministers have refused to back those crossing picket lines.

Last night a BA insider said of the showdown with militants: "The union can bleat all it wants - we're winning."

Prince William flies in on strike-buster BA jet | The Sun |News

Nutjob quote "As yet, no-one knows what said contract details and whether it's a whole new contract of employment or simply a no-strike agreement. I'm sure details will emerge either later today, or more likely after midday tomorrow (as first interviews I know of start at 11am). Watch this space".

Mrs went on CC strike in 199? at BHX. (albeit for good reasons perhaps compared to the current dispute) Told by BA CC Manager to sign no strike agreement. Nore sure if she did but afterwards she got a letter of apology from BA as they had f***ed up. :\

This is to 'Abbey Road' from page 1...
I thought I'd quoted.........:uhoh:


How do you come to your conclusion about how senior the crew were on the different trips???

And why more senior=more militant??

I've done 20 years and I'm not striking, nor are friends who have done a similar amount of time..

:=