BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
baggersup:
Excellent post..lol.
Unite is getting absolutely desperate...and you just know that BA have a plan in place, and it may be a tad painful for those few left on strike.
Excellent post..lol.
Unite is getting absolutely desperate...and you just know that BA have a plan in place, and it may be a tad painful for those few left on strike.
Where on Earth is this dispute going???
IMHO, BA need an action plan
1. to change most of the managers involved, (I know, Diplome, I've said this too often - but the current lot appear to be still asking bassa for permission to serve their customers. Madness).
2. to remove any CSD who is unable/unwilling to demonstrate that their actual behaviour, (not words, and not an interview) has been fully supportive of BAs customers
3. to remove the current CSD job completely, and to replace it with a proper Customer Service Supervisor role. Recruit for this new job from the best of the current total BA CC population - but only allow 49% of the new CSS to be from BA, with 51% recruited from Tesco, John Lewis and etc.
4. Jfdi with respect to New Fleet, and insist that the folk in BA who actually do the recruitment to NF are their brightest and best. Don't let the current lot recruit in their own image.
For induction and early training - Use the best of PPF and PPF2 from all those years ago.
5. Give notice - say, 6 months, that all the current T & C are going to be changed. Get rid of all the T & C that cause the many and varied "Spanish" practices and spurious reasons for payment. (Dodgy lightbulbs in LH crew rest places, 2 + hours breaks for SH etc). Make all CC work like they do at EZY.
Implement new pay system no matter what bassa say.
6. The Leadership team need to paint a compelling vision of the "New BA" that good current staff and all future staff can imagine themselves in to. Give some hope and aspiration to a workforce that wants more positive meaning from its workplace. Listenning to Tira, JSL, and some of the VCC on the other thread - the raw material is in BA, but I'm not sure that it's being nurtured and fed properly!
7. Hire some much better managers, from well outside Aviation. The inspirational types are available on the market place, but Aviation is not the sector to find them in.
8. Do some real customer service surveys, that the new CSS cannot influence. Make them cheap and cheerful, but accurate. BT do this very well, and even Virgin do try to get real feedback.
9. Employ, via an agency, (not BA staff) some real "Mystery flyers" who will fully report on BA's flying experience for customers, and whose reports really impact managers' salaries.
10. Insist that Captains fully own the total in-flight experience of customers.
11. Publish (anonymised) pay of all BA CC who earn in gross terms a penny over the National average wage. (Currently c £25,000).
12. Pay expenses as incurred. Get rid of the rich, and corrupting influence of the NRT etc golden wheelbarrows.
....................
We,, that's a start................
1. to change most of the managers involved, (I know, Diplome, I've said this too often - but the current lot appear to be still asking bassa for permission to serve their customers. Madness).
2. to remove any CSD who is unable/unwilling to demonstrate that their actual behaviour, (not words, and not an interview) has been fully supportive of BAs customers
3. to remove the current CSD job completely, and to replace it with a proper Customer Service Supervisor role. Recruit for this new job from the best of the current total BA CC population - but only allow 49% of the new CSS to be from BA, with 51% recruited from Tesco, John Lewis and etc.
4. Jfdi with respect to New Fleet, and insist that the folk in BA who actually do the recruitment to NF are their brightest and best. Don't let the current lot recruit in their own image.
For induction and early training - Use the best of PPF and PPF2 from all those years ago.
5. Give notice - say, 6 months, that all the current T & C are going to be changed. Get rid of all the T & C that cause the many and varied "Spanish" practices and spurious reasons for payment. (Dodgy lightbulbs in LH crew rest places, 2 + hours breaks for SH etc). Make all CC work like they do at EZY.
Implement new pay system no matter what bassa say.
6. The Leadership team need to paint a compelling vision of the "New BA" that good current staff and all future staff can imagine themselves in to. Give some hope and aspiration to a workforce that wants more positive meaning from its workplace. Listenning to Tira, JSL, and some of the VCC on the other thread - the raw material is in BA, but I'm not sure that it's being nurtured and fed properly!
7. Hire some much better managers, from well outside Aviation. The inspirational types are available on the market place, but Aviation is not the sector to find them in.
8. Do some real customer service surveys, that the new CSS cannot influence. Make them cheap and cheerful, but accurate. BT do this very well, and even Virgin do try to get real feedback.
9. Employ, via an agency, (not BA staff) some real "Mystery flyers" who will fully report on BA's flying experience for customers, and whose reports really impact managers' salaries.
10. Insist that Captains fully own the total in-flight experience of customers.
11. Publish (anonymised) pay of all BA CC who earn in gross terms a penny over the National average wage. (Currently c £25,000).
12. Pay expenses as incurred. Get rid of the rich, and corrupting influence of the NRT etc golden wheelbarrows.
....................
We,, that's a start................
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 45 yards from a tropical beach
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could it be that Unite is deliberately giving Bassa more rope? Secretly, Unite hoping that the next ballot will not get a majority in favour of IA. They can then wash their hands of their tiresome offspring, leaving Bassa to stew in its own juice.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LHR
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To put matters very bluntly, if there is another ballot and CC vote in favour of a strike then frankly they deserve all they get. If the majority of CC cannot now see that they are being led of a cliff by a bunch of self-serving hot-heads at BASSA then there really is no hope.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am at a loss to understand what Woodley thinks he is doing! Perplexed in fact. His use of words like bullying, referring to WW, is ridiculous. Each utterance is puerile and simply makes himself look a fool. It is Unite who is the bully here, with their mates from BASSA. Woodley is showing all the signs of his tactics when he was the main irritant in the car industry. He was a lousy negotiator then and a worse one now.
To refer to pilots as "scabs" because they are vcc's is indicative of man who has a bag o' nails but lost the hammer. He and Simpson have no class and no real idea what they want to say. I don't think they even know what they ARE saying. Pilots and engineers, and many others ready to support the company, are the cream of BA - and so too are VERY MANY of the cc. But, with BASSA still beating people around the head and resorting to childish taunts only turns the remains of a supporting public against them. How clever is that? How clever is their style of picketing when they behave like children at a tea party.
Cabin Crew are decent hard working people who love their job and their company. Yet here we have DH and LM imposing their kind of evil will on decent girls and boys for their own ends. Saying NO to every kind of negotiation is plain stupid - unless of course it benefits the militants.
The threat of summer strikes is probably a union breaker. How Woodley can think otherwise shows his mentality. The cc will not be able to sustain continued IA and must have a job that brings in good money - they have that. So when the cruel realisation of the consequences hit home, they will have to wonder what BASSA means anymore.
I agree, that WW has a handful of cards to play. And think on this if you will. He has the skills of a great many legal eagles, managers and operations people at his side who can curtail any further attempts by BASSA and UNITE to destroy BA.
To refer to pilots as "scabs" because they are vcc's is indicative of man who has a bag o' nails but lost the hammer. He and Simpson have no class and no real idea what they want to say. I don't think they even know what they ARE saying. Pilots and engineers, and many others ready to support the company, are the cream of BA - and so too are VERY MANY of the cc. But, with BASSA still beating people around the head and resorting to childish taunts only turns the remains of a supporting public against them. How clever is that? How clever is their style of picketing when they behave like children at a tea party.
Cabin Crew are decent hard working people who love their job and their company. Yet here we have DH and LM imposing their kind of evil will on decent girls and boys for their own ends. Saying NO to every kind of negotiation is plain stupid - unless of course it benefits the militants.
The threat of summer strikes is probably a union breaker. How Woodley can think otherwise shows his mentality. The cc will not be able to sustain continued IA and must have a job that brings in good money - they have that. So when the cruel realisation of the consequences hit home, they will have to wonder what BASSA means anymore.
I agree, that WW has a handful of cards to play. And think on this if you will. He has the skills of a great many legal eagles, managers and operations people at his side who can curtail any further attempts by BASSA and UNITE to destroy BA.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tracey Island
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You must be a striker/sympathiser if you did not understand the comparison !
Tesco, UK largest retailer with 4000 plus outlets and FY 2009 profits, 3bn, greater than BA.s share capitalisation, (2.7Bn today) a chunk of the drop in that valuation due to striker's (in)action.
Aldi, 400 UK outlets, profit not known but probably WAY less than Tesco. Aldi is a well run business filling a niche market BUT not in the same league as Tesco.
Chav city for Tesco, its financial performance suggests otherwise !
Tesco, UK largest retailer with 4000 plus outlets and FY 2009 profits, 3bn, greater than BA.s share capitalisation, (2.7Bn today) a chunk of the drop in that valuation due to striker's (in)action.
Aldi, 400 UK outlets, profit not known but probably WAY less than Tesco. Aldi is a well run business filling a niche market BUT not in the same league as Tesco.
Chav city for Tesco, its financial performance suggests otherwise !
The comparison in your first post had nothing to do with the profits of either company. You inferred that Aldi may employ them Tesco not......Both make profits from the Chav's who shop in them they are not particular where they get money from......Aldi pay their staff more than Tesco pay theirs......I still maintain that the view of the strike is dependent on ones perception of where one sits in society.
A lot of posts on here are very 'Angry from Wells' or 'Disgusted of Surrey' in the form they take....
All very interesting.
Last edited by call100; 1st Jun 2010 at 07:26.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Barnes, London
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think we are hearing the the final squawkings of the dead parrot brigade.
Todays solution- a further ballot- confirms Messrs Woodley and Simpson as full time candidates for Bedlam.
Fortunately a clear majority of cabin crew are now voting with their feet, having concluded that their Unite/Bassa leadership has finally revealed its total inadequacy.
It defies belief that such individuals, including the now absent McCluskey, could have persuaded so many, to such an ill defined, unjustified cause.
Todays solution- a further ballot- confirms Messrs Woodley and Simpson as full time candidates for Bedlam.
Fortunately a clear majority of cabin crew are now voting with their feet, having concluded that their Unite/Bassa leadership has finally revealed its total inadequacy.
It defies belief that such individuals, including the now absent McCluskey, could have persuaded so many, to such an ill defined, unjustified cause.
Last edited by Boxkite Montgolfier; 2nd Jun 2010 at 13:04.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: England
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's difficult to see who would vote yes to another strike. Some CC have presumably broken the strike out of conviction, some to save staff travel, some because they can't afford it anymore, and some see the writing on the wall - the cause is lost, why lose even more money. It wouldn't be logical for any of those to vote in favour of another strike.
Unless there is another vote for a strike to 'send a message' and hope it helps their colleagues who have lost staff travel, but don't actually intend to strike, and surely they've learnt that lesson!
That just leaves currently striking crew. I don't think they are in the majority!
In any event, the law seems to be written to stop a strike going on and on just by reballoting, is there not a clause about any extension strike ballot not being about the same items?
Unless there is another vote for a strike to 'send a message' and hope it helps their colleagues who have lost staff travel, but don't actually intend to strike, and surely they've learnt that lesson!
That just leaves currently striking crew. I don't think they are in the majority!
In any event, the law seems to be written to stop a strike going on and on just by reballoting, is there not a clause about any extension strike ballot not being about the same items?
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: The Deep South (Sussex)
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The one question that should be asked by the BASSA loyalists before they vote again is whether any of the BASSA leadership have actually risked striking and are now without staff travel.
This has been asked many times on this forum without any answer.
In the light of any words to the contrary we can assume that none of their leadership have been on strike, lost any pay or lost their staff travel.
Being long term sick is not a decent excuse. They could sign themselves off for a day, go on strike and establish their right to lead. No flying involved...just a demonstration of their integrity.
It has all been left to the gullible little bunny rabbits to do their dirty work!
...and now they want you all to do it again!
This has been asked many times on this forum without any answer.
In the light of any words to the contrary we can assume that none of their leadership have been on strike, lost any pay or lost their staff travel.
Being long term sick is not a decent excuse. They could sign themselves off for a day, go on strike and establish their right to lead. No flying involved...just a demonstration of their integrity.
It has all been left to the gullible little bunny rabbits to do their dirty work!
...and now they want you all to do it again!
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: England
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CC Forum
I refer you good people to post 4292 on the above indicated forum. The author is Eddy. Seems Eddy has become a victim of those he has erstwhile supported, but at the same time employed a moderate tone. To my mind this sums up the intellect, or lack of, of those jostling for position at the very edge of this abyss. Surely, common sense must prevail and steps are taken to rid this company of this misbegotten rabble, constantly seeking something for nothing. The public face of this gathering of miscreants, does not exactly instil confidence. On the other hand, the company has not exactly excelled itself in dealig with this situation, given the contstraints that they are obliged by law to operate within.
James.
James.
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: london
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ballots- % of who is left.
Whilst it is obvious to everyone (apart from UNITE/BASSA) that their goose is cooked, and that they have little support, and members are leaving in droves, it has the unfortunate effect that the only people left to vote in any new ballot, are the permanently delusional/terminally misled, who are also the ones likely to still vote "yes".
The more crew see the light and leave the union, the easier it gets for BASSA to get a mandate to continue their self destruction.
Crazy crazy world..
The more crew see the light and leave the union, the easier it gets for BASSA to get a mandate to continue their self destruction.
Crazy crazy world..
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: England
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eddy, you'll be back - if there's Justice
Eddy With respect, I am going to take a bit of a sabbatical from this thread for a while.
Hope you read this forum as well...
Thanks for your comments Eddy. I've not always agreed with you but your comments have always been worth reading, and it's been interesting to see your open-mindedness and questioning views. I look forward to reading your input, in hopefully the not too distant future.
Hope you read this forum as well...
Thanks for your comments Eddy. I've not always agreed with you but your comments have always been worth reading, and it's been interesting to see your open-mindedness and questioning views. I look forward to reading your input, in hopefully the not too distant future.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: middle earth
Age: 60
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What has happened to Eddy or more accurately what we percieve has happened to Eddy is precisely why i find Bassa's/Unites claims of intimidation and bullying so full of crap. Has anyone EVER heard of people choosing to work intimidating strikers?
No..It is allways the other way around.
Bassa/Unite strikers must have dual personalities, one the hard nosed bullying striker, the other the little fluffy bunny rabbit with the oh so sensetive nature.
I hope for the sake of BA that any crap from CC returning is reported back to BA. Sorry to all the working CC, but if im traveling and experience snotty, offhand treatment i am likely to assume they are returning militants with their nose out of joint.
Thankfully apart from the rare occasion BA's CC have allways been exemplary.
No..It is allways the other way around.
Bassa/Unite strikers must have dual personalities, one the hard nosed bullying striker, the other the little fluffy bunny rabbit with the oh so sensetive nature.
I hope for the sake of BA that any crap from CC returning is reported back to BA. Sorry to all the working CC, but if im traveling and experience snotty, offhand treatment i am likely to assume they are returning militants with their nose out of joint.
Thankfully apart from the rare occasion BA's CC have allways been exemplary.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: scotland and london
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
compare and contrast
Now that's what I call service
BACF really delivering tonight... Late flight EDI to LCY on new 190 returned to gate twice with tech trouble. No BA alternatives - LGW gone, LHR on strike. But decision taken v quickly to "borrow" another 190 parked at next gate - all pax and luggage switched in not much more than an hour. Good end to the bank holiday for all of us...
Thanks to all ground staff and Captan Richard Humphries and his crew who really turned it around - Cityflyer showing LHR crew what service really means..
And they even apologised for having no ice...!
BACF really delivering tonight... Late flight EDI to LCY on new 190 returned to gate twice with tech trouble. No BA alternatives - LGW gone, LHR on strike. But decision taken v quickly to "borrow" another 190 parked at next gate - all pax and luggage switched in not much more than an hour. Good end to the bank holiday for all of us...
Thanks to all ground staff and Captan Richard Humphries and his crew who really turned it around - Cityflyer showing LHR crew what service really means..
And they even apologised for having no ice...!
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Age: 76
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA publishes the percentage of flights operating, but it would be interesting to know the percentage of RPK's (revenue passenger km) achieved.
Looking at yesterdays flights, many of the longhaul destinations had a 100% operation (with passengers) compared to the pre-strike schedule. Some examples are; New York (6/6), Los Angeles (3/3), Sydney (2/2), San Francisco (2/2). This also applied to many of the longer European destinations such as Rome (6/6) and Nice (6/6).
In contrast many of the shorter routes had high cancellation rates such as Manchester (0/8), Glasgow (1/9), and Edinburgh (2/11).
By my calculations (I'm bored, waiting for new carpets to arrive), BA flew over 90% of scheduled RPK's ex LHR yesterday (LGW and LCY 100%).
Dave
Looking at yesterdays flights, many of the longhaul destinations had a 100% operation (with passengers) compared to the pre-strike schedule. Some examples are; New York (6/6), Los Angeles (3/3), Sydney (2/2), San Francisco (2/2). This also applied to many of the longer European destinations such as Rome (6/6) and Nice (6/6).
In contrast many of the shorter routes had high cancellation rates such as Manchester (0/8), Glasgow (1/9), and Edinburgh (2/11).
By my calculations (I'm bored, waiting for new carpets to arrive), BA flew over 90% of scheduled RPK's ex LHR yesterday (LGW and LCY 100%).
Dave