pcf,
Please don't worry.
I think if you had just said you were not in BASSA instead of enclosing the letter you would have got away with it because not even the union knows who is or isn't but I guess you are too honest to have done that. But that's by the by now.

I think it would be a good idea for you to email BF directly [email protected]. He takes a while to reply but he always does and he may be able to put your mind at rest. I have emailed him loads of times and he has always been very caring and reassuring to me.

I am hoping that BASSA will see sense soon and accept the offer and then everyone will automaticaly get it even if you are not in BASSA so please don't worry.

yes Eddy I have left BASSA, thru the payrole and e-mailed them and yes...they wished me well ! I too have found the reps to be very reasonable, its the members that are the problem:eek: or dare I say the forum members ! I had a long conversation with a very senior rep recently and found him to be very grounded.

pcf
 

My sympathies also, in addition to Eddy's.

Once again, and with my full admiration, your complete honesty has been your downfall in this instance. While I in no way condone dishonesty, simply signing the statement and returning it to British Airways would have sufficed. Of course, the very next thing on your "to do" list would have been resigning from the union.

Don't worry, I really can't imagine that there won't be another chance for you and others. British Airways is obviously aware that many more have left the union since 25/06 and will not leave you in apparent limbo for much longer.

Chin-up.

Betty Girl, thank you for your support and the link to BF - yes I am going to contact him - I have always found BA to be a good employer, but currently feeling a bit down about this situation - however you are right - 'take the bull by horns' !!:ok:

But surely, bassa in its present form isn't just suddenly going to "see sense" and do a complete about turn. If anything, this is the proof that the (remaining) members either have to storm the castle and force a change in the top echelons, and hence the way bassa conducts itself, or simply give-up and resign from the union.

I know this may sound daft - but many of them are afraid .. I have many friends who have had dreadful messages and threats and will NOT do anything about it ... yes, I have talked to them about help put into place by BA but ...

Afraid of what/whom, PCF?

TorC
Yes it is a bit of a problem.

The trouble is, it is impossible for these people to put pressure on the union because alot have subsequently left.

I personally would email BF and WWalsh and write to DS and TW and ask them to put pressure on BASSA but that is the kind of person I am. You don't get what you don't ask for is my moto. If hundreds of people wrote to DS and TW and explained how badly represented they felt, they might take notice but I know that most people would not feel able to do that.

I am no longer in Amicus but I still send them emails asking them if they are happy what DH is doing in their name!!!Reminding them if they disassociate themselves from BASSA that I and many others might rejoin them. It probably does no good but it makes me feel better!!!!

pcf
 

No, in the current situation, what you say doesn't sound daft at all.

All I can say is that for me, and my many friends who have also left bassa, it's just such a relief and so totally mind-freeing. (They can't touch me, I'm NOT part of the union :))

This is where people REALLY DO HAVE TO GET REAL. If they are having threats made against them, they just HAVE to act. Whether that's going to BA or maybe even the police, as scary as it might seem, it DOES have to be faced upto, and taken for what it is.

While this apparent paralysis is quite understandable, nothing is going to change if nobody reports anything.

striking/non- striking 'friends', friendships that span 20 years plus have now been ended..it is so sad, I know people who post here tend not be be emotional but very factual however sadly what has happened is emotive. best not say too much or I will be moderated, but thanks Eddy for asking.

and Torc and Betty Girl - thank you

pcf,

You are right it is so sad and it will never be forgotten. It will go on being a rift in our community untill WW and EF cease to be and that is so, so sad.

With respect Betty girl, this is NOT something that someone else is going to sort out.

Remaining union members really should, IMHO, grasp the fact that it is they themselves that ARE the union, and as paying members, they have the rights to get the union to do as THEY wish. If that proves impossible, then surely they should just resign and seek an alternative means of representation?

Given the huge financial machine that unite now is, I personally feel that £s, or more precisely the loss of those £s through dwindling membership, is pretty much now the only thing that might stand a chance of getting the message through.

What's more important here: the desire of the union to represent workers, or the desire of the workers to be represented?

Hiya pcf,

Well let me tell you, I've had more than my fair share of crap in my dropfile. It's partly my own fault because, in the past, I've been so vocal on here in my support for BA. Additionally, I go to work with my ID hanging from an "I'm Backing BA" lanyard around my neck. So that doesn't help, either.

But I'm not going to hide my support for BA. I'm proud that I chose to work, proud that since the strikes I've talked a number of people into working next time and I'm proud that I'm the first port of call for a number of people who are worried about coming to work during the strikes.

It's absolutely scary out there but if one believes and is confident in their choices, they can overcome anything. Particularly with a little help from their REAL friends.

While I've not suffered any dropfile crap myself, as a fellow "I'm Backing BA" lanyard wearer, I'll add a big :ok: to your post Eddy.

Thanks guys, I really admire you -I am totally disillusioned with BASSA (although for 30 something years supported them) however you have fuelled me to recognise there is a rainbow out there .. and staying together we will find it.;)

And there may even be a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow pcf.

No admiration needed, just togetherness :D

Well TorC I agree with you but any pressure is good pressure.

I was actually suggesting those that have left the union, but can't accept BA's offer, write or email those at the top of Unite to explain why they left not those in the union.

I think TW and DS have been fed BASSA's version of things. I know that not many people would do this but some of them like pcf and StTropez may feel like they have done something if they did.

You see part of their problem is that they now feel powerless as they are sort of in limbo now and I find it helps to write a good letter sometimes. That's all.

Thank you, I will stay in touch, I have read lots on pprune but dont normally post -however, today I did, and I now feel more content, sleep well my lovely support group and thank you x

Ah yes, now I see what you mean Betty girl, and pretty-much agree.

And the art of letter writing can, in itself, be quite theraputic sometimes.