BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions
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I'm copying this post from the restricted forum because it represents a great attitude and also makes a good point.
From HiFlyer14:
HiFlyer14 not only has a wonderful message regarding how productively all staff are working through this time, but also reveals that if the percentages continue to rise, if the returning strikers are shown that their negativity and power are in the minority, then the ball will truly be in Unite's court to finding a solution.
From HiFlyer14:
Why do we need an offer back on the table?
Those of us cabin crew that are coming to work have indicated that we are more than happy with the crew complements. We are working well with colleagues from all other departments, we have adapted to quite a lot of changes within our own environment and we have crossed picket lines to make it happen.
BA have made their savings, so why is "an offer" still required? Let the strikers strike. For the first time in my entire career with BA I have seen organisation that is second to none. It has been breathtakingly excellent - from the security, the keeping apart of strikers/non-strikers, booking different hotels, the manning of the flights, re-instating flights at the last minute and getting them crewed and even getting customers to book on the reinstated flights so they don't go empty.
How come? How come BA have suddenly risen from the ashes with such a display of excellence? Because of the people involved. It is us that make BA great. The can-do attitutude, the pulling out all the stops, the "it's no skin off my nose", I'll do whatever I can to help attitude. And of course the fact that BASSA are no longer in the building to prevent that happening.
So, please don't stress about an offer. We don't actually need one. We are doing just grand as we are.
It has never felt so good to be part of such a fantastic team and I feel very proud of each and every one of my working colleagues at BA.
I am BA cabin crew and this is my own viewpoint and not that of BA.
Those of us cabin crew that are coming to work have indicated that we are more than happy with the crew complements. We are working well with colleagues from all other departments, we have adapted to quite a lot of changes within our own environment and we have crossed picket lines to make it happen.
BA have made their savings, so why is "an offer" still required? Let the strikers strike. For the first time in my entire career with BA I have seen organisation that is second to none. It has been breathtakingly excellent - from the security, the keeping apart of strikers/non-strikers, booking different hotels, the manning of the flights, re-instating flights at the last minute and getting them crewed and even getting customers to book on the reinstated flights so they don't go empty.
How come? How come BA have suddenly risen from the ashes with such a display of excellence? Because of the people involved. It is us that make BA great. The can-do attitutude, the pulling out all the stops, the "it's no skin off my nose", I'll do whatever I can to help attitude. And of course the fact that BASSA are no longer in the building to prevent that happening.
So, please don't stress about an offer. We don't actually need one. We are doing just grand as we are.
It has never felt so good to be part of such a fantastic team and I feel very proud of each and every one of my working colleagues at BA.
I am BA cabin crew and this is my own viewpoint and not that of BA.
A Runyonesque Character
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Two individuals on opposite sides of a dispute like this don't both send open letters to the same newspaper, at the same time, by accident. This exchange is very carefully orchestrated, and given the medium (Mirror) I guess it was Woodley who's carrying the olive branch. Willie is still in the driving seat.
I do have a question though that was alluded to in earlier posts and that is that when BA management were fined for their dirty tricks escapades who is it that actually stumps up the money? I would have thought that if the management instigated the crimes then they should be the ones to cough up or is that too simplistic?
Effectively, all BA management, staff and shareholders benefitted from the increased profits. All BA management, staff and shareholders ultimately paid for the fines.
Though it would appear to an outsider looking in that BASSA somehow believe that their members did not benefit from the profits, but are the only ones paying for the fines.
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SSK:
Are those letters for real??
My impression is that they were just a "what if" sort of presentation.
Now I'll have to go back and read them more carefully.
You are correct, if genuine, it certainly was carefully crafted and by design..but The Mirror??? That seems like an odd receipient of such largesse.
Are those letters for real??
My impression is that they were just a "what if" sort of presentation.
Now I'll have to go back and read them more carefully.
You are correct, if genuine, it certainly was carefully crafted and by design..but The Mirror??? That seems like an odd receipient of such largesse.
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Away back in 1989, flew to the Soviet Union (remember, the name has changed, possibly also the atmosphere) on British Airways.
To witness for 2 weeks the disintegration of the "evil empire", the sense of an oppressive regime tottering to its amazing implosion, the smelly loos, the feeling the KGB was bugging your room, the hordes of the unwashed at the airport, the jobsworth at the checkin points completely unconcerned whether or not our airplane was taking off without us......and then -
To board the British Airways plane. Home at last! Still holding my breath. Would they permit us to leave? We waited to make sure all passengers had made it though the bottlenecks - and then, and then, taxied out, and TOOK OFF! AND THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION BROKE INTO APPLAUSE!
Usually happens only after a turbulent approach and an acceptable landing....
I understand that some of the same spirit is showing this week, that the passengers, the pilots, and the assortment serving as cabin crew display an exceptional appreciation of each other.
If the spirit of teamwork can be sustained, with pilots and cabin crew and volunteers of every description working - and playing - as teams, BA could be great again. Could possibly still feel like coming home when you board.....
To witness for 2 weeks the disintegration of the "evil empire", the sense of an oppressive regime tottering to its amazing implosion, the smelly loos, the feeling the KGB was bugging your room, the hordes of the unwashed at the airport, the jobsworth at the checkin points completely unconcerned whether or not our airplane was taking off without us......and then -
To board the British Airways plane. Home at last! Still holding my breath. Would they permit us to leave? We waited to make sure all passengers had made it though the bottlenecks - and then, and then, taxied out, and TOOK OFF! AND THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION BROKE INTO APPLAUSE!
Usually happens only after a turbulent approach and an acceptable landing....
I understand that some of the same spirit is showing this week, that the passengers, the pilots, and the assortment serving as cabin crew display an exceptional appreciation of each other.
If the spirit of teamwork can be sustained, with pilots and cabin crew and volunteers of every description working - and playing - as teams, BA could be great again. Could possibly still feel like coming home when you board.....
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The SSK
Two individuals on opposite sides of a dispute like this don't both send open letters to the same newspaper, at the same time, by accident. This exchange is very carefully orchestrated, and given the medium (Mirror) I guess it was Woodley who's carrying the olive branch. Willie is still in the driving seat.
Then he got to what was wanted; 'Assurances, not fine words ...(what does that mean?); 'No plum jobs (routes?) to 'cheap staff'....' (not sure what the cheap staff would have to say) and the "Sticking Point"; 'punishment of fine crew defending their rights (or something like that)' ie; Staff Travel. Oh and then he mentioned the possibility of further strikes in a couple of weeks.
Walsh got pretty much to the point and highlighted that the union have not stopped BA .... much. Then, after a few niceties, he pretty much made an offer - I think.
"So I say to you: give your members a voice. Let cabin crew vote on the offer put forward.
It includes a four-year deal on pay - with a freeze in year one and then rises of up to 3% or 4%. Existing crew would stay the bestrewarded in the UK industry. Even though the courts say we do not have to, we have addressed Unite's main demand for more crew on flights.
We would recruit 184 extra staff.
The offer also paves the way for new long-haul opportunities for Gatwick crew, who would like a bigger network and are paid significantly less than their Heathrow colleagues. And it sets out a plan to modernise our industrial relations so we can avoid this kind of damaging dispute in the future."
And then finally, something to the effect that "UNITE and Shop Stewards have been talking for too long - put it to the membership." I know his last sentence was a bit cheesy - "Give peace a chance" - but his letter was far more representative of someone with a plan.
Roger.
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Isn't one of the "fine crew" who was "defending his rights" the one who the pornographic website was registered to?
Yes, that's the sort of fellow I want to put my paycheck on the line for.
Yes, that's the sort of fellow I want to put my paycheck on the line for.
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Diplome
Isn't one of the "fine crew" who was "defending his rights" the one who the pornographic website was registered to?
Yes, that's the sort of fellow I want to put my paycheck on the line for.
Yes, that's the sort of fellow I want to put my paycheck on the line for.
Roger.
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Having seen recent video clips of striking BA cabin crew abusing their working colleagues and using distasteful metaphors to denigrate the company's CEO, I'm not sure I would want to fly with the airline if it takes them back now. I would always wonder what cocktail of bodily fluids had been deposited into my food and drink during a flight by disgruntled and disaffected employees. Seems I’ll have to purchase snacks and drinks in the departure lounge to avoid this possibility for some time to come.
Mr Walsh has been out and about during the disruption and has seen for himself the "One Team" spirit generated by this dispute throughout the working communities. I would hope he and the company's Board think long and hard before welcoming the prodigals back. There can be little doubt without the striker’s corrosive influence the company has racked up its customer service ethos to levels not seen in the last decade. Why not aim high again for the title of "World's favourite airline."
Mr Walsh has been out and about during the disruption and has seen for himself the "One Team" spirit generated by this dispute throughout the working communities. I would hope he and the company's Board think long and hard before welcoming the prodigals back. There can be little doubt without the striker’s corrosive influence the company has racked up its customer service ethos to levels not seen in the last decade. Why not aim high again for the title of "World's favourite airline."
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Diplome
The Mirror is the paper of the Labour Party. UNITE would see them as the only one friendly to them.
Papillion
That's because, as I understood it, the top brass did not know what was happening. When they did learn of it - they were horrified that their staff were breaking the law and showing themselves to be no better than BA. So they blew the gaff and claimed the upper hand for having owned up to breaking the law. BA were discovered to just be breaking the law - again.
but The Mirror??? That seems like an odd receipient of such largesse.
Papillion
Virgin did even better in the most recent case: they didn't have to pay any fine...
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That's because, as I understood it, the top brass did not know what was happening. When they did learn of it - they were horrified that their staff were breaking the law and showing themselves to be no better than BA. So they blew the gaff and claimed the upper hand for having owned up to breaking the law. BA were discovered to just be breaking the law - again.
I can tell you though, that from my experience, BA were always completely and utterly paranoid about any issue of anti-competitive behaviour, and went through hoops to avoid any such suggestion. This extended to not even telling franchise carriers what was going on, so they found out at the same time as the public. I was shocked, genuinely shocked, that some people within BA did that.
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ExecClubPax:
I can certainly understand your concerns. Not quite sure what I would do if I encountered the individual wearing the white men's knickers with Mr. Walsh's photo imprinted on a future date.
Do I really want this person handing me my champagne on arrival? Ewww..just ewww.
I can certainly understand your concerns. Not quite sure what I would do if I encountered the individual wearing the white men's knickers with Mr. Walsh's photo imprinted on a future date.
Do I really want this person handing me my champagne on arrival? Ewww..just ewww.
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Why not aim high again for the title of "World's favourite airline."
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PAXboy
Not true!
Virgin boss caught up in BA price fixing case - Telegraph
Dave
That's because, as I underdstand it, the top brass did not know what was happening.
Virgin boss caught up in BA price fixing case - Telegraph
Dave
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I've been doing much reading over the last few weeks, here and on other Forums. Ignoring the various "yes he did, no he didn't" discussions, and the trading of questionable statistics, there is one thing that shines through all this.
The British are at their VERY best in times of adversity. The support given to BA by staff from ALL departments is not simply a question of self-preservation - with respect, I doubt that complex equation is part of many people's thinking. What all those good people ARE doing, IMO, is seeing something wrong, and bad, and mismanaged and doing everything they can to prevent it happening, and the keep the company going.
If it was a BAD company, as BASSA would imply, you could perhaps envisage all staff being keen to see it fall [as the BASSA militants seem to desire]. Instead, there is a massive "Rally Round The Flag" attitude, which is incredibly heart-warming.
Good luck to you all.
The British are at their VERY best in times of adversity. The support given to BA by staff from ALL departments is not simply a question of self-preservation - with respect, I doubt that complex equation is part of many people's thinking. What all those good people ARE doing, IMO, is seeing something wrong, and bad, and mismanaged and doing everything they can to prevent it happening, and the keep the company going.
If it was a BAD company, as BASSA would imply, you could perhaps envisage all staff being keen to see it fall [as the BASSA militants seem to desire]. Instead, there is a massive "Rally Round The Flag" attitude, which is incredibly heart-warming.
Good luck to you all.
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Alleged Price Fixing
Folks, can I suggest you cease to speculate on this subject meantime. The court case is almost upon us, Southwark Crown Court, April 2010. I know personally some of the people here. This must be a time of concern for them and their families. My best wishes are with them at this time.
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MPN11:
Well said...and I agree.
Its been fascinating to watch BA come together over this situation. Certainly more than I expected at the beginning.
Soooo...do you think that Unite will let its membership vote on BA's last offer as Mr. Walsh has requested?
Well said...and I agree.
Its been fascinating to watch BA come together over this situation. Certainly more than I expected at the beginning.
Soooo...do you think that Unite will let its membership vote on BA's last offer as Mr. Walsh has requested?
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Soooo...do you think that Unite will let its membership vote on BA's last offer as Mr. Walsh has requested?
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@ Diplome ... I have not a clue as to how the Union[s] will react. As a completely non-Union person, I would hope they would try to extract the best face-saving deal for themselves, and the best possible financial solution for their members. The evidence to date suggests that only one of those items is on the Agenda.
If I were a betting person, I would suspect that Mr Walsh will just sit back and keep turning the screw. Let us remember that HE is the CEO of BA, not the Unite leadership, and that HE needs BA to be profitable.
Unite has its own Agenda which, it has been suggested, includes leverage on the Labour Party. The livelihood of individual Unite members comes very far down their list of priorities, as recent events have indicated.
If I were a betting person, I would suspect that Mr Walsh will just sit back and keep turning the screw. Let us remember that HE is the CEO of BA, not the Unite leadership, and that HE needs BA to be profitable.
Unite has its own Agenda which, it has been suggested, includes leverage on the Labour Party. The livelihood of individual Unite members comes very far down their list of priorities, as recent events have indicated.
Last edited by MPN11; 30th Mar 2010 at 17:04. Reason: typo