BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions
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Clarification
Mr Woodley said BA was wrong to blame BASSA for the deadlock.
He said he had urged his members to reject BA’s latest offer on staffing and work practices because of the company’s ‘petty, vindictive attitude’.
The main sticking point between the two sides is BA’s decision to strip 2,000 cabin crew who went on strike last month of lucrative travel perks which allow them and their families to have free and cut-price flights. Unite wants the perk reinstated before it calls off the next wave of strikes.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1280583/BA-stockpiles-1-7bn-fighting-fund-WIllie-Walsh-vows-dysfunctional-cabin-crew.html#ixzz0oj4zpXTu
He said he had urged his members to reject BA’s latest offer on staffing and work practices because of the company’s ‘petty, vindictive attitude’.
The main sticking point between the two sides is BA’s decision to strip 2,000 cabin crew who went on strike last month of lucrative travel perks which allow them and their families to have free and cut-price flights. Unite wants the perk reinstated before it calls off the next wave of strikes.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1280583/BA-stockpiles-1-7bn-fighting-fund-WIllie-Walsh-vows-dysfunctional-cabin-crew.html#ixzz0oj4zpXTu
Beggars belief! They strike over..err the issue of the last strike!
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Neptunus Rex
But they should be given the opportunity to strike first, and enjoy the fruits of that, just in case the disciplinary process results in something less than dismissal.
I think that "the man on the Clapham omnibus" would consider all the BA staff on the open topped omnibus to be bringing the company into disrepute.
Grounds for dismissal? It would be a start.
Grounds for dismissal? It would be a start.
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Tweeting From Inside the ACAS Talks
It suprises me no one here has yet commented on Derek Simpson's alleged tweeting to the outside world during yesterday's talks.
Contributors to the cabin crew forum suggest his messages were aimed at BASSA membership and the text has been displayed on the BASSA forum. Given the sensitivity and gravity of these talks, does anybody consider it appropriate behaviour from someone who is supposed to be a senior Union official?
BA boss Willie Walsh surrounded as demonstrators storm union talks - Telegraph
Contributors to the cabin crew forum suggest his messages were aimed at BASSA membership and the text has been displayed on the BASSA forum. Given the sensitivity and gravity of these talks, does anybody consider it appropriate behaviour from someone who is supposed to be a senior Union official?
BA boss Willie Walsh surrounded as demonstrators storm union talks - Telegraph
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WW is on The Andrew Marr show today (some time in the next hour) BBC - BBC One Homepage . If you miss the show they usually have it on the iplayer
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It suprises me no one here has yet commented on Derek Simpson's alleged tweeting to the outside world during yesterday's talks.
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BASSA promised "guerilla tactics" and having observed their coarse behavior in the past nothing surprises me.
The idea that someone was sending out messages from a private negotiating session is incredible.
What was Derek Simpson and Unite thinking???!!!
How does anyone take these individuals seriously?
The idea that someone was sending out messages from a private negotiating session is incredible.
What was Derek Simpson and Unite thinking???!!!
How does anyone take these individuals seriously?
Tweeting was obviously inapropriate and inadvisable in the circumstances, but it is not as if any major secrets were revealed. Indeed, I would say it shows that contrary to the BASSA line, WW was not being totally obtructive in the discussions.
Settlement of this dispute favourably is far more important than this minor issue, and I don't think WW should or will make too much of it.
Settlement of this dispute favourably is far more important than this minor issue, and I don't think WW should or will make too much of it.
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Baggersup
And why isn't tweeting from a confidential meeting like that a fireable offense?
It would be in most companies in similar circumstances.
The guy is a dope.
p.s. Does the appearance of the anarchists at the Euston building foreshadow more "spontaneous" guerilla protests, perhaps in places like T5 or the parking lots or other places BASSA cannot picket? Makes me wonder if the Euston event was not just a one-off.
It would be in most companies in similar circumstances.
The guy is a dope.
p.s. Does the appearance of the anarchists at the Euston building foreshadow more "spontaneous" guerilla protests, perhaps in places like T5 or the parking lots or other places BASSA cannot picket? Makes me wonder if the Euston event was not just a one-off.
As for the 'Flying Picket' from Socialist Workers Party - I always thought 'socialist worker' was an oxymoron, like 'military intelligence' and 'political integrity' - you would have to consider Euston Tower to be a relatively 'soft target'. I guess if they tried that at T5, it would attract the undivided attention of an Armed Response Unit at least and risked the involvement of 'The Hereford Gun Club'.
BASSA are clearly under almost unendurable pressure at this point and now they are getting nasty and even more irrational - that makes them dangerous.
Roger.
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Mariner9:
I must respectfully disagree.
That sort of conduct is simply never done during negotiations for very obvious reasons.
Simpson knows he went waaaayyy over the line with that stunt. Would not surprise me if BA refused to enter into further negotiations with him present. You can bet its already been suggested.
An absolutely stunning, juvenile and unprofessional stunt.
I must respectfully disagree.
That sort of conduct is simply never done during negotiations for very obvious reasons.
Simpson knows he went waaaayyy over the line with that stunt. Would not surprise me if BA refused to enter into further negotiations with him present. You can bet its already been suggested.
An absolutely stunning, juvenile and unprofessional stunt.
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While the twitt.r account "derekamicus" does not exist any more, the cached page at Google is still there. Is that the postings you are referring to?
(Aside to the powers that be at PPRuNe, replacing "t w i t t e r" by "PPRuNe" automatically is MOST UNHELPFUL. If you don't want it mentioned at least just make it t****** or similar)
(Aside to the powers that be at PPRuNe, replacing "t w i t t e r" by "PPRuNe" automatically is MOST UNHELPFUL. If you don't want it mentioned at least just make it t****** or similar)
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One of the basic tenets of ACAS is confidentiality of discussions:
By his actions, Simpson has demonstrated a breach of trust. ACAS would be well within their rights to bar him from future proceedings.
The fact that both BA and ACAS have chosen to turn a blind eye to this shameful act shows that they are trying hard to overcome the constant obstacles that this witless bunch of 70s union cretins keep trying to put in the path to settlement.
Personally, I'd have dynamited the shallow end of the gene pool a long time ago.
Although largely funded by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS), Acas is a non-departmental body, governed by an independent Council. This allows us to be independent, impartial and confidential.
The fact that both BA and ACAS have chosen to turn a blind eye to this shameful act shows that they are trying hard to overcome the constant obstacles that this witless bunch of 70s union cretins keep trying to put in the path to settlement.
Personally, I'd have dynamited the shallow end of the gene pool a long time ago.
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Its a bit rich when Derek Simpson calls the cabin "deluded clowns" and he now finds himself wearing a clowns hat! That was a crass thing to do.
The following quote gives room for your own conclusions but it doesn't include Willie being responsible for the farce yesterday................but:
The following quote gives room for your own conclusions but it doesn't include Willie being responsible for the farce yesterday................but:
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An article on the situation Tony Woodley finds himself in from today's Observer:
Can Unite's Tony Woodley forge a last-minute deal to avert the BA strike? | Business | The Observer
Can Unite's Tony Woodley forge a last-minute deal to avert the BA strike? | Business | The Observer
Dilome - happy to disagree re importance of T.w.i.t.t.e.r. My view is that as WW has to negotiate with a dishonourable union, one more example of poor conduct doesn't really change things.
On another point, I note in that Socialist Worker article a BA CC claims he/she is on a £12k basic. If so, what the heck has he/she to fear from New Fleet and the much feared "£12K basic" then? Ergo, he/she is either lying over salary (sorry to put it so bluntly) or striking over something else. Cant be ST; why strike last time over no loss of pay regardless of New Fleet. Perhaps he/she is one of those facing disciplinaries?
On another point, I note in that Socialist Worker article a BA CC claims he/she is on a £12k basic. If so, what the heck has he/she to fear from New Fleet and the much feared "£12K basic" then? Ergo, he/she is either lying over salary (sorry to put it so bluntly) or striking over something else. Cant be ST; why strike last time over no loss of pay regardless of New Fleet. Perhaps he/she is one of those facing disciplinaries?
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T5 report
Saw various reports about T5 being like a ghost town last week, having travelled out of it on the morning of the 21st I can confirm it was anything but.
Sadly however the full effect of this IA was evident on the morning LHR - DEL which carried no more than 50 Pax. On the day that BA announced a £530m loss this seems a very hollow victory for the strikers.
The CC were very pleasant but statistically probably included a number of those responsible. There was a sense of smugness eminating from some at the sight of the near empty a/c and the easy money for the duty.
From my own perspective if ever I boarded a BA a/c in future and encountered any of the sun tanned muppets appearing behind Woodley on the steps outside the high court I would refuse to have them serve me. If this meant going without for the duration then so be it. In fact for me it is the prospect of encountering such a species in future which is more likely to lead to booking with alternates than any other factor.
WW needs to bring this to a head and clear the rubbish out right now, only then can we start to restore the badly damaged image of the airline and for that matter UK Inc both home and abroad.
I am reminded that the Dinosaurs did gather in groups before becoming extinct.
Sadly however the full effect of this IA was evident on the morning LHR - DEL which carried no more than 50 Pax. On the day that BA announced a £530m loss this seems a very hollow victory for the strikers.
The CC were very pleasant but statistically probably included a number of those responsible. There was a sense of smugness eminating from some at the sight of the near empty a/c and the easy money for the duty.
From my own perspective if ever I boarded a BA a/c in future and encountered any of the sun tanned muppets appearing behind Woodley on the steps outside the high court I would refuse to have them serve me. If this meant going without for the duration then so be it. In fact for me it is the prospect of encountering such a species in future which is more likely to lead to booking with alternates than any other factor.
WW needs to bring this to a head and clear the rubbish out right now, only then can we start to restore the badly damaged image of the airline and for that matter UK Inc both home and abroad.
I am reminded that the Dinosaurs did gather in groups before becoming extinct.
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Mariner9:
I'm always a bit amused when they state their "basic" pay and neglect to enlighten their audience regarding all the other pay schemes they benefit from.
..and a good point about New Fleet.
I'm always a bit amused when they state their "basic" pay and neglect to enlighten their audience regarding all the other pay schemes they benefit from.
..and a good point about New Fleet.
Jipperty
With that remark are you referring to older Cabin Crew who have been flying for a good number of years and have a lot of essential experience under their belts?
I am reminded that the Dinosaurs did gather in groups before becoming extinct.
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I agree, Landroger, it can get dangerous.
It seems a corner was turned this weekend during the SW's protests. Mr. Walsh's safety was actually threatened by an invasive mob some of whom allegedly were chanting "k*ll willie" (according to some news reports.).
It seems a corner was turned this weekend during the SW's protests. Mr. Walsh's safety was actually threatened by an invasive mob some of whom allegedly were chanting "k*ll willie" (according to some news reports.).
.The only one looking as if he wanted to kill someone was Tony Woodley. He appeared absolutely furious - the protesters at the front of the invading party appeared somewhat taken aback.
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No, I should think they mean those that are gathered together under the Bassa banner....it beggars belief that they fail to see the economic climate around them. I feel so sorry for the moderate CC , who have the intelligence to realise that change had to happen and then the courage to work through this mess.....Good Luck to them!