BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions

[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?

No it is a reference to a mind set, the one that subscribes to the following views -

1. My employer owes me a living on out dated termns and conditions irrespective of how the world it operates in may have changed
2. I should cane my employer for everything I can get out of them
3. I do not need to concern myself with how my employer makes a living
4. It is my responsibility (and not the boards) to protect my employers brand
5. I will resist all change
6. I will blinker myself to the reality of my market value and obvious expendability
7. My union knows best and will look after me
8. I have no regard for my employer, fellow employees, associated businesses and the image of the country

To cite but a few of the issues at the core of this dispute.

Sadly the various TV images and BASSA promoted footage seems to confirm an association between the so called older crew members and the afore-mentioned mind set.

[LD12986]

Today's talks are now off according to BBC News.

[fincastle84]

No further talks - strike starts Monday

Woodley announces a 'catastrophic' break down in talks. I imagine we have that tw*t Simpson to thank for that. What an imbecile, he ought to join Bassa as they have similar IQs.

[Diplome]

fincastle:

I'm inclined to think the problem is between Unite and BASSA.

There was no "catastrophic breakdown" announced yesterday. In fact the Union was stating that they were willing to meet today.

This may really be about the jobs of a few BASSA reps due to BA refusing to interject politics into the disciplinary process.

Simpson should be ashamed of himself.

[plane speak]

So all eyes now on the number of crew who disregard the strike call this time, and no doubt there will be lots of claim and counter claim about the numbers. But this time the stakes are higher then just travel perks. No doubt BA will want to assess how many additional crew would be required to run a 100% operation, and consider a rapid recruitment exercise into 'new fleet'. A big call, but starting to look inevitable I fear.

[Chuchinchow]

Crewmeal (#1769)

I am reminded that the Dinosaurs did gather in groups before becoming extinct.

JippertyWith 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?

Crewmeal, I think that you can put whatever construction you like on Jipperty's statement.

The original "cause" of this dispute was over the removal of a flight attendant from LH flights - thus causing the CSD to get off his/her backside and to push trolleys up and down the cabins.

British Airways' passengers (you might just recall that their fares pay a large proportion of your salaries and allowances) are fed up to the back teeth with the puerile antics of BASSA, your union.

This thread is the only place in which we, the salary-payers, can vent our disgust at the appalling damage BASSA is doing to its members, to those members' livelihoods, to those members' employer's very viability, and to Britain's economy.

So, Crewmeal, if the cap fits . . .

[radeng]

If a flight is running, and standard meals will be served, why during this IA can't special meals be served?

[interpreter]

Strike is ON - good news ultimately for BA

This strike could well be the downfall of BASSA - let's hope so. WW has displayed extreme tolerance of totally unprofessional conduct by Simpson and a mass of ill-considered protestations from striking staff. Guys, the world has moved on. The old days of big perks and benefits are not there any more. Take what you are offered and be thankful you have a job. Thousands of the unemployed would jump at the chance of taking over from you.
As for those who relied on "perks" to get to and from work the foolishness of this strategy is now apparent. Find another job where you live or move back to nearer your base. You made your bed, now lie on it.

[ExecClubPax]

Why won't UNITE/BASSA come out to play today?

So what happened today? On the Andrew Marr show, Mr Walsh was quite clear and optimistic that further talks would be held later in the day. So why then have United failed to "come out to play"? Could it be that Tony Woodley has finally lost his rag with BASSA and said, in effect, "let's see just how much support you have for this strike".

I guess there will be many cabin crew who were dreading this moment. Its make up your mind time and vote with your feet - support your employer and its customers by turning up for work, or support your Union by attending Bedfont FC's ground. At least the weather will be kind to the strikers tomorrow.

Good luck to all those brave enough to turn up for work and more power to your elbow to all those volunteering for flight duty. Happy landings.

[BetterByBoat]

From - BBC News - Unite union says BA strike to go ahead

"While it comes after a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and working conditions, Unite says the latest industrial action is over disciplinary action against some of its members, and the removal of travel perks following the strikes in March."

Can the Unite \ BASSA call a strike on any grounds? Or only on grounds of the original ballot? Just wonder if we might see another court appearance soon questioning the legality of the strike (although WW comments underneath the quote from Unite suggests we won't).

Roll on June 12th ........

[call100]

Originally Posted by interpreter

This strike could well be the downfall of BASSA - let's hope so. WW has displayed extreme tolerance of totally unprofessional conduct by Simpson and a mass of ill-considered protestations from striking staff. Guys, the world has moved on. The old days of big perks and benefits are not there any more. Take what you are offered and be thankful you have a job. Thousands of the unemployed would jump at the chance of taking over from you.
As for those who relied on "perks" to get to and from work the foolishness of this strategy is now apparent. Find another job where you live or move back to nearer your base. You made your bed, now lie on it.

Unless of course you are senior management or a director!
I believe that this strike should have been sorted months ago across a negotiating table. Both sides failed their respective responsibilities and should be ashamed....
What has amazed me about this thread is that it's OK for posters to do what they abhor in the CC...Name call....I can see the frustration of many posters coming out in the playground atmosphere of trying to find some expletive that will not be censored.
One thing is certain....None of it made a jot of difference either way to the dispute...
If it had been any other airline, would the vitriolic comments still filled 89 pages?

[Chuchinchow]

If it had been any other airline, would the vitriolic comments still filled 89 pages?

Possibly not, Call100, but these 89 full pages of comments are an indication of passengers' frustrations, annoyance and desperation at the idiocy shown by a group of 1970s-style industrial saboteurs.

For the avoidance of any possible doubt, I refer to the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association, the architects of this economic disaster.

[fincastle84]

Call 100

I believe that this strike should have been sorted months ago across a negotiating table.

In the ideal world I totally agree, but it takes 2 to tango. Throughout, Bassa has been totally intransigent & consequently are about to reap the whirlwind of well deserved mass redundancies.

[wiggy]

call 100

I believe that this strike should have been sorted months ago across a negotiating table

Which is what most other groups who were involved in negotiating with BA managed to do, without even threatening Industrial Action. I guess the BASSA Reps felt they were special and didn't need to negotiate.

[Neptunus Rex]

I think that there is a very good chance that by Day 4 of this coming strike, BA will be flying well in excess of 90% of its schedule.
BASSA is going down the gurgler!

[Capot]

If it had been any other airline, would the vitriolic comments still filled 89 pages?

I suspect you're confusing ppruners' usual propensity to criticise BA with their propensity on this thread to support BA against BASSA.

No doubt when the dust has settled we'll all go back to normal habits.

But for the moment we're right behind Mr Walsh as far as I can tell, and would support public flogging of Unite's leaders, BASSA's leaders, and those who actually go on strike, if any do.

Strangely enough, there is a measurable growth of antipathy, hatred even, for BASSA/Unite on the CC thread on the same subject.

[Diplome]

Interesting offer by Woodly.

It reveals that Unite desperately doesn't want this strike, that's become obvious.

Will BA blink? Heaven's I hope not.

[Doors To Manuel]

Woodley's 'offer' is no such thing. It is nothing more than a blatant demand for essentially everthing the union still wants and has not yet got, and in return for which he will.................................return to the negotiating table
Very good of him!

[fincastle84]

I'm sure that there is a huge difference between what Woodley is telling the media & what is exactly being offered. As usual the BBC has swallowed it hook, line & sinker & have opined that 'The ball is now firmly in Mr Walsh's court to accept this generous offer'.

I despair at the BBC's naivety & left wing bias.

[Basil]

The BBC is a mouthpiece of the left and has been for decades.