BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Cumbria
Snas:
Its not as if it hasn't taken some creativity and heaven knows there have been constant backup plans in place but to be honest the ash caused us significantly more problems than we experienced due to the strikes.
Its been a determined decision made on the part of many of our executives due to the fact that much discussion was had regarding BASSA's actions and BA's rather amazing response. Support through business when possible seemed to be a reasonable action.
With the incredible planning that BA has done to minimize militant impact I'm hopeful in the future this will become far less of a concern.
Its not as if it hasn't taken some creativity and heaven knows there have been constant backup plans in place but to be honest the ash caused us significantly more problems than we experienced due to the strikes.
Its been a determined decision made on the part of many of our executives due to the fact that much discussion was had regarding BASSA's actions and BA's rather amazing response. Support through business when possible seemed to be a reasonable action.
With the incredible planning that BA has done to minimize militant impact I'm hopeful in the future this will become far less of a concern.
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: The Deep South (Sussex)
It will be a real challenge for BASSA to keep their leaders off the roster for 20 days so that they don't have to refuse to fly and therefore lose staff travel and money.
...but no doubt they will manage it!
...but no doubt they will manage it!
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Peterborough
I am due to fly BA to Vegas on 20th, which I booked in November to use up some of my remaining BA miles, with the intention of not flying BA again. Why? I have found over the years that, in general, the CC’s attitude has become more surly and, at times, I felt that I was doing them a favour by flying with them. However, as time has passed and following all the BASSA/Unite shenanigans and 60s style rhetoric and having watched the consistent and strong message from WW, plus the superb rallying of the rest of the BA team, I have become more and more pro BA and now feel almost obligated to support them once the union is broken, which it surely will be. As SLF, my hope is that the majority of the ‘old guard’ will either pack their bags and leave or get fired and we can then have a national airline that we can again be proud of. Given the current political/economic climate, I don’t think that striking BA CC could be more out of touch with the rest of the nation.
Heard from a friend who flew during the last strike and who bought a box of chocolates from duty free before boarding his BA flight, which he gave to the crew as he went on board. Apparently, the captain was so impressed by his gesture he came back and personally thanked him. So, if you are flying through the next strike, why not go out of your way to thank the crew for keeping your flight going, I know I will.
Heard from a friend who flew during the last strike and who bought a box of chocolates from duty free before boarding his BA flight, which he gave to the crew as he went on board. Apparently, the captain was so impressed by his gesture he came back and personally thanked him. So, if you are flying through the next strike, why not go out of your way to thank the crew for keeping your flight going, I know I will.
Joined: May 2007
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From: Europe
Alas not all are able even if willing to take such risks.
We are still doing that for bookings up to September, in view of the current threats.
As time goes on and we get used to the alternatives, which are many and good, I suspect we'll not use BA again even if the lunacy stops.
Are we alone? Of course not; every company or person with 2 brain cells ro rub together understands the stupidity of paying in advance for a BA ticket, as things are.
The papers are reporting that Unite (or BASSA, I don't care) have a strike fund of £700K to sit out a lasting strike. Good for them; nothing like using your members' money to help them destroy their employer for political reasons.
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Cumbria
"...every company or person with 2 brain cells ro rub together understands the stupidity of paying in advance for a BA ticket,..."
We will have to simply agree to disagree. We have had only two real difficulties regarding strike time flights that I've heard of and both were resolved without too much trouble.
Granted, if any of us found ourselves dropped onto Ryan Air I'm sure that there would be serious...but the travel office seems to be having no problem. Much depends upon examining the situation and specific circumstances and looking to book BA when possible. Not quite as dramatic or difficult as some would have us believe.
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Planet Earth, mostly
No hiding place for 20 days is there?
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: England
from unites web site Cabin crew announce further BA strike dates
Regards
10th May 2010
British Airways cabin crew are to hold a further 20 days of strike action following their overwhelming rejection of the company’s offer in a ballot last week, Unite the union announced today (Monday).
BA management failed to offer any new proposals to settle the dispute over the weekend, so crew are to take strike action on the following days: May 18-22 inclusive, May 24-28 inclusive, May 30-June 3 inclusive and June 5-9 inclusive.
Unite’s joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said: “Passengers and investors alike will be dismayed that British Airways' management rejected an approach by the union over the weekend, after their offer had been comprehensively turned down by their own employees.
“Cabin crew are left with no choice but to take further strike action. There can be no industrial peace without meaningful negotiations and while management victimises trade unionists and uses disciplinary procedures in a witch-hunt.
“The seven days notice period is sufficient time for BA management to do the sensible thing and reopen meaningful negotiations.”
Unite is also intending to hold a further industrial action ballot of BA cabin crew over issues which have arisen from the company’s conduct during the dispute.
British Airways cabin crew are to hold a further 20 days of strike action following their overwhelming rejection of the company’s offer in a ballot last week, Unite the union announced today (Monday).
BA management failed to offer any new proposals to settle the dispute over the weekend, so crew are to take strike action on the following days: May 18-22 inclusive, May 24-28 inclusive, May 30-June 3 inclusive and June 5-9 inclusive.
Unite’s joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said: “Passengers and investors alike will be dismayed that British Airways' management rejected an approach by the union over the weekend, after their offer had been comprehensively turned down by their own employees.
“Cabin crew are left with no choice but to take further strike action. There can be no industrial peace without meaningful negotiations and while management victimises trade unionists and uses disciplinary procedures in a witch-hunt.
“The seven days notice period is sufficient time for BA management to do the sensible thing and reopen meaningful negotiations.”
Unite is also intending to hold a further industrial action ballot of BA cabin crew over issues which have arisen from the company’s conduct during the dispute.
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Rugby
Courtesy of cynicalmoose on the CC thread:
BBC 1607 BST BA cabin crew to strike from May 18-22, May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 5-9 Will be very interesting to watch BA's response.
BBC 1607 BST BA cabin crew to strike from May 18-22, May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 5-9 Will be very interesting to watch BA's response.
Joined: May 2010
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From: UK
What can I say?
I certainly can't write what's in my head at the moment
So that's both my outbound and inbound flights falling within the strike dates. Thanks alot, I hope you all find your P45's in the post soon.
All I can do is wait now to see if my flights are cancelled so I can get my money back. I can then invest in an airline I can trust to get me to my destination.
I certainly can't write what's in my head at the moment
So that's both my outbound and inbound flights falling within the strike dates. Thanks alot, I hope you all find your P45's in the post soon.
All I can do is wait now to see if my flights are cancelled so I can get my money back. I can then invest in an airline I can trust to get me to my destination.
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Cumbria
The breaks may just be for the purpose of making it more difficult for BA to schedule...though if I remember correctly BA solved this last time by simply putting striking CC on hold until reassigned future routes.
Hopefully we will get some clarification from more knowledgeable individuals regarding scheduling.
Hopefully we will get some clarification from more knowledgeable individuals regarding scheduling.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
The country is rocked by a financial crisis and political uncertainty, whilst the travelling public has suffered through BA's strikers and the Icelandic volcanic ash problem.
The heads-in-the-sand 'Red Robbo' stupidity of these absurd unions needs to be abandoned. Right now. The strikers will find themselves not just unemployed, but unemployable. What a pity.....
Good luck Willie, kick these flouncing idiots into touch and let the rest of your airline get on with pulling together to a recovery.
I cannot believe that anyone will have any sympathy whatsoever for these petulant fools who intend going on strike yet again. BA is losing customer confidence and the idiot striking CC are merely shooting themselves in the foot.
Nice couple of trips today with Lufthansa - and occupancy ratio was very healthy.
The heads-in-the-sand 'Red Robbo' stupidity of these absurd unions needs to be abandoned. Right now. The strikers will find themselves not just unemployed, but unemployable. What a pity.....
Good luck Willie, kick these flouncing idiots into touch and let the rest of your airline get on with pulling together to a recovery.
I cannot believe that anyone will have any sympathy whatsoever for these petulant fools who intend going on strike yet again. BA is losing customer confidence and the idiot striking CC are merely shooting themselves in the foot.
Nice couple of trips today with Lufthansa - and occupancy ratio was very healthy.
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Arizona
Fire the whole useless bunch
I can't post what I really want to as the amount of expletives would make the post unreadable. However I can only hope that Walsh manages to fire the whole worthless bunch and that the flight we are still booked on will be staffed by the volunteers. - Peter.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 26
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From: Thailand
And we are getting perilously close to the point where BA write to every cabin crew member, explaining that they have no choice but to terminate all employee contracts in 90 days, and reissue new ones on their own terms.
These BASSA retards are like industrial suicide bombers, and the best way to treat a suicide bomber is to top him before he detonates.
These BASSA retards are like industrial suicide bombers, and the best way to treat a suicide bomber is to top him before he detonates.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pogles Wood
To pj67coll
Totally echo your view...that's also how the vast amount of staff feel. The staff that have endured pay freezes/adapted to change/have put our heart into this Airline.
I too am fuming and can not translate my thoughts to text.
If WW gives in, the future of the Airline will be in doubt. Rest assured, these militant hot heads will raise their ugly mugs for more,,and more.
Short sharp shock treatment awaits..!!
I too am fuming and can not translate my thoughts to text.
If WW gives in, the future of the Airline will be in doubt. Rest assured, these militant hot heads will raise their ugly mugs for more,,and more.
Short sharp shock treatment awaits..!!
Joined: Mar 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
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From: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Throughout the last few months I have tried [against my natural inclination] to accept and understand the Union's position in all this. Sadly, that is now firmly at an end.
The Union wish to strike on what basis, may I ask?
1. "Disciplinary action against those who broke the rules should be dropped"
2. "ST should be restored, even though we were told it would be lost by strikers"
OK - with this sort of "logic" and combative mind-set, WW has no options. Good luck, Mr Walsh, and 'Thank You' to all the BA staff who will do their very best to keep the airline operating.
On a personal level - I lost the trips last month due to ash, but managed to re-book everything at no personal cost [thanks BA, Virgin, Sofitel, JSPCA]. On the re-arranged trip, my first outbound sector is on Day 1 of Strike 1, and my last homebound sector is on Day 5 of Strike 4.
Curiously, I feel vaguely confident that things will be OK - those sectors operated during both the previous waves of IA. And, on the up-side, I will be able to smile at the CC operating my flights without feeling slightly hypocritical.
FLYING BA
The Union wish to strike on what basis, may I ask?
1. "Disciplinary action against those who broke the rules should be dropped"
2. "ST should be restored, even though we were told it would be lost by strikers"
OK - with this sort of "logic" and combative mind-set, WW has no options. Good luck, Mr Walsh, and 'Thank You' to all the BA staff who will do their very best to keep the airline operating.
On a personal level - I lost the trips last month due to ash, but managed to re-book everything at no personal cost [thanks BA, Virgin, Sofitel, JSPCA]. On the re-arranged trip, my first outbound sector is on Day 1 of Strike 1, and my last homebound sector is on Day 5 of Strike 4.
Curiously, I feel vaguely confident that things will be OK - those sectors operated during both the previous waves of IA. And, on the up-side, I will be able to smile at the CC operating my flights without feeling slightly hypocritical.
FLYING BA
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Cumbria
MPN11:
Great post.
I'm rather in the same mind-set.
No more sympathy for the poor deluded strikers who just are being mislead. In fact, everytime I think of strikers at the moment I envision that rather chavvy (is that a word??
) woman wearing the mens undergarments.
I can live without that handing me a glass of champagne.
Here's to hoping that the rest of BA staff and reasonable Cabin Crew can get this done.
Great post.
I'm rather in the same mind-set.
No more sympathy for the poor deluded strikers who just are being mislead. In fact, everytime I think of strikers at the moment I envision that rather chavvy (is that a word??
) woman wearing the mens undergarments.I can live without that handing me a glass of champagne.
Here's to hoping that the rest of BA staff and reasonable Cabin Crew can get this done.
Joined: Mar 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
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From: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Re the "Prime Minister" ... not quite as clear cut as one would hope ...
Step down as Labour Leader? but soldier on until September as PM while Labour goes through the processes.
Step down as Labour Leader? but soldier on until September as PM while Labour goes through the processes.
Sky News political editor Adam Boulton described Mr Brown's announcement as an audacious pitch to hang on to power.
"By implication, what it's saying is 'I want to stay on as Prime Minister over the summer and sort out working with the Liberal Democrats to put the economy back on the right footing', but then a new Labour leader could be chosen.
"By implication, what it's saying is 'I want to stay on as Prime Minister over the summer and sort out working with the Liberal Democrats to put the economy back on the right footing', but then a new Labour leader could be chosen.