BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions

[MPN11]

"Jacket Potato and salad bar"......because they are listening to their members apparently.

"There are important issues at steak, brothers and sisters. The lack of HP Sauce will be addressed under the new Labour Government, using EU funding. For now we have to accept that, in this time of strife, that Heinz Tomato Ketchup [the food of the masses] will have to suffice."

That should do, mate. Anyone for a lobster dinner [on the Union, of course]?

[R Knee]

A sense of humour

Thanks MPN11.

At last some humour. At least this thread has some balance.

[Chuchinchow]

That should do, mate. Anyone for a lobster dinner [on the Union, of course]?

That's a wonderful idea, MPN11! Which is the better venue, do you think: the Pomme d'Or on a Friday evening, or Big Vern's?

[Boy In Blue]

Kenhughes

I've read elsewhere that Ms Malone is on long-term sick-leave with post-menopausal osteoporosis. I don't think that young lady was anywhere near post-menopausal - but then, at my age it's getting harder to tell the ages of ladies.

Here's a picture: The BA comrade out in California: £50,000 a year union activist who lives in LA and hasn't flown for a year | Mail Online

Thanks - if thats the right word - Kenhughes. In that case I better put my Iwo Jima flag T shirt back in the drawer

[LD12986]

Talks between Unite the union and British Airways aimed at resolving the cabin crew dispute resumed over the Easter weekend and are continuing, the union said today (Wednesday).
Joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: “It is welcome that talks have resumed and I am pleased that some serious progress has been made over the issues which have divided us.
“However, there is more work to be done, and further discussions will take place with the company over the next few days. I reported to representatives of our cabin crew today and explained that it would be unnecessary to set further strike dates while these talks are continuing and making progress.”

Note there has been no confirmation from BA about the progress of talks....

[manintheback]

One rather suspects BA dont actually give a monkeys.

[call100]

It would be naive to think that both sides have not been talking continuously. Both sides being Unite (Not Bassa) and BA.

[Boy In Blue]

Bedfont Baked Potatoes

Cancel the Bedfont baked potatoes and salad bar I think.

I feel sorry for the decent BA CC who fell for this strike. The discussion of a salad bar at the next picket line shows how a far this dispute was removed from the public mood in these dire days for the UK. I said previously that some CC had an issue with their public image in respect of getting public support. Designer clothes, sunglasses pearched on the head and an ever so precious tiara. Come on. The bedfont bakers was just another example of a completely out of touch Union.

Again I hope the decent people on strike dont suffer as a result of this crazy IA.

[Sogriada]

Flight from HKG to LHR April 3. Originally flight booked for April 1, but postponed 48 hours due effects of strike.
One cup of coffee/drink offered throughout flight. Food poor. Viewing screen not working. CC not interested and very much not in evidence throughout most of flight.
That is IT! I will never, EVER fly BA again.

[ChicoG]

It sounds like both of you should log into BA and leave your comments regarding the flight. If it was some pompous striker deliberately causing problems, then at least BA can investigate and take the appropriate action.

Added: I note from the BASSA "Jacket Potato" missive the following comments:

We are very aware that Walsh is still blundering full steam ahead with recruitment, and volunteers are still flying and being trained. We will obviously take all this into consideration when briefing Tony and Len and will influence what steps will now be needed to force a halt to BA plans. In other words we realise the gloves are off.

Jaysus, you have to wonder why they didn't realise it when WW said prior to the first strike: "I can tell you one thing, we'll be flying this weekend".

[Final 3 Greens]

Why does BA have to reply on passengers to report problems, this is double punishment

1 - poor service
2 - have to invest time writing a report

Just vote with your feet, the airline notices lost revenue.

[earleyboy]

Yes, but it wont identify the actual problem, which will be "fixed" very quickly, I can assure you.

[Mariner9]

Jaysus, you have to wonder why they didn't realise it when WW said prior to the first strike: "I can tell you one thing, we'll be flying this weekend".

Remember Unite's statement on the eve of the 1st strike that BA's planned strike flight schedule was a "work of fantasy"? They were clearly deluded enough to think that WW was bluffing at the time. Hopefully Tony Woodley can inject some sense of realism now.

[Mariner9]

Some very good points baggers

But I wonder how many striking commuters there actually are?

[ChicoG]

Why does BA have to reply on passengers to report problems, this is double punishment

1 - poor service
2 - have to invest time writing a report

Just vote with your feet, the airline notices lost revenue.

I happen to like the airlines that I fly with, and freely comment if I think things need tweaking (defective IFE, defective seats, defective CC <heh>). I find by replying I see two things:

(1) It often gets something done about it, and
(2) It often gets rewarded by the airline.

And as long as I'm happy that they take the time to listen and actually do something about it, it keeps me flying with them. (And I made a specific suggestion to one airline a month ago that I know from inside was acted on immediately with a message to all bases from the ground staff manager).

So why not?

If I voted with my feet every time something didn't go right on a flight, I'd have a more frequent flier cards than air miles

[MPN11]

See post 1520 ...

Why? Perhaps it helps clarify things, reading between the lines?

Originally Posted by Duncan

Whether or not we like or fully trust UNITE is not really the issue right now - the time for Spanish Inquisitions is not during a dispute. UNITE are the only game in town, they hold the key to the safe (yes I know it is your money in that safe) and as such it is wise that a good relationship is maintained. TW and I have had our share of differences but I am putting that behind me while we have bigger battles to fight and I know he feels the same way. At the end of the talks - he may think we have a good deal, we may not but you will be the ultimate. judge.

Election pressures being brought to bear?

[Snas]

But I wonder how many striking commuters there actually are?

Unite have previously stated that it was a third. I seem to recall elsewhere from BA them saying it was between 10-20%, so in reality I guess somewhere between those two.

As there is no requirement to declare yourself a commuter, and many (in my experience) maintain a UK address anyway for post if nothing else, I dont imagine there is a totally accurate bang-on figure to be had.

Lets say a quarter as a working figure eh..?

It's a lot either way, more than I would have guessed to be honest.

Edit to add after revisiting question - I'm talking all BA CC here, not just those that went on strike, to be clear.

[Snas]

Any "deal" that TW may think he has secured from BA will be put to a full postal ballot of you the membership. YOU have the final say.

MPN11 - I thought this was the most interesting part of that communication, odd choice or wordking but perhaps he was just in a hurry when writing and I'm seeing more than there is here?

[Airclues]

BASSA believe that the 28 day rule no longer applies as they have taken industrial action. Is this correct?

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52)

The act states that the call must be made and the action to which it relates must occur within four weeks of the ballot. It is an interesting legal point as to whether any new action falls within the 28 day rule.
I don't know the answer, but so far the BA legal team seem to be rather more switched on than BASSA.

Dave

[MPN11]

@ Snas ... whatever the interpretation, there is certainly something happening in the undergrowth.

I will not be presumptive or pretentious by trying to read too far between the lines, but I do suspect that things in 'Castle BASSA' are not going the way they would wish. A wee bit of 'cover my arrse' seems to be in play here.