BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions
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Anonymous voices
Oneye said
I believe that ALL BA employees are prevented from speaking to the media without consent from the Press Office, hence the need for anonymity.
As for the silence from non-strikers I'm pretty sure that some (albeit anonymous) PCCC people have been interviewed on the BBC - and vilified afterwards as management stooges by BASSA.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Setting aside the BBC left bias, this woman declared that she had to disguise here identity, by using a false name. She is a BASSA member and a strike advocate and was bleating about bullying and intimidation, which left me momenterily speechless, unusual for me. To date, I have not heard one syllable from the non strikers, defending their position.
As for the silence from non-strikers I'm pretty sure that some (albeit anonymous) PCCC people have been interviewed on the BBC - and vilified afterwards as management stooges by BASSA.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Paxing All Over The World
Unite's Brian Boyd to the BBC reporter at Hatton Cross this morning, saying strike support is strong: "The staff car park is EMPTY. We have film we can show you later if you'd like. Yes, it is empty."
If it was me, I'd be on a bus or tube in civvies.
The staff car park is EMPTY. We have film we can show you later if you'd like. Yes, it is empty."
I wonder which Car Park he has got film of - Tesco in Hayes in the early hours of Sunday AM????
Last edited by wiggy; 25th May 2010 at 12:36.
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Could it be the Bedfont FC car park? 
The latest view of the dispute posted on the CC forum. Not the official BASSA view - just that of a striker (and most probably a commuter) desperately trying to justify his/her continuing strike action. Anyone else noticed that the BASSA side have now gone very quiet about all those 'vindictive' disciplinary actions?
It's getting harder to see any resolution of this dispute which does not include the removal of all the strikers from the Cabin Crew complement and the total elimination of BASSA. I'm sure Mr Walsh will not back down now and will listen to his customers. I'm one of those who won't fly BA again after the strike if there's the slightest chance I'll have to endure the attention of those who don't want to be there on board. I pay for all my flights out of my own pocket and regard my flight as the start of my holiday.
The latest view of the dispute posted on the CC forum. Not the official BASSA view - just that of a striker (and most probably a commuter) desperately trying to justify his/her continuing strike action. Anyone else noticed that the BASSA side have now gone very quiet about all those 'vindictive' disciplinary actions?
I thought TW offered to call off the strike if WW would re-instate the [seniority] aspect of Staff Travel.WW declined that offer so BA still has a strike on its hands.According to Richard Branson,J customers are flocking to Virgin in their droves.According to the media hundreds of BA flights are cancelled again today.BA will lose millions today and I guess tomorrow etc etc.This is about one mans ego,no more.Customers are now the victims in this crusade which is all about appeasing the non-strikers and the CEO.Crazy!!
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Diplome
Many thanks for your considered response and I do understand the points you profer. However, given that the non-strikers are the obvious majority, my question is, why have they no voice? I understand fully PAXboy's point and thank you for that PAXboy, having been constrained myself by my employer, not to speak to the media, without company permission, which I understand to the full. It seems to me that 'someone', PCCC perhaps, now have enough support/clout to approach the company in order to enable a redress of the balance and consequently debunk the BASSA party line, followed by the braincell sharing minority.
Just my thoughts, no offence meant to those who have the power of a little lateral thinking.
James.
Just my thoughts, no offence meant to those who have the power of a little lateral thinking.
James.
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Why do the working cabin crew need a voice? Every Chatham Dockyard livery that lifts off RWY 27 L/R or RWY 09 L/R with the deep roar of a Trent of IAE engine is more eloquent and indisputable than any voice UNITE/BASSA can raise.
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ExClubPax:
True. But there would be no negative in having both heard
Looks like no meetings today and interesting that Citi Research recommended BA as a "buy" today.
BA strikes: hopes fade for airline and union talks | Business | guardian.co.uk
True. But there would be no negative in having both heard
Looks like no meetings today and interesting that Citi Research recommended BA as a "buy" today.
BA strikes: hopes fade for airline and union talks | Business | guardian.co.uk
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ExecClubPax
Whilst I agree with your point, my arguement is that there should be like for like communication. The prolitariat don't really understand symbolism and we have witnessed examples of that earlier in this thread 'wasting money on paint' comes to mind. Seems to me that in order for the tide to turn away from the 1970's mindset which is driving the poor souls of the BASSA militant tendency, then 'vocabulary' will turn the lights on with these cranially challenged individuals. Wearing undergarments with Mr Walsh's 'adjusted' face applied, will not win them the day.
James.
James.
Oneye,
I think Diplome has done rather more than she should have done to answer your questions.
Back in this thread are all sorts of bits of info which when put to-gether answer all the questions. As you probably know, the answer is always 42.
On your most recent post, as I've said on this thread before, to understand what is going on, you have to get in to the striker's mind set. As someone else has observed, it is a bit like joining a cult.
The research (I can't remember who did it, but Prof John Purcell of Bath Uni will remember) shows that the mindset changes substantially once the actual strike has started. "The other side" become devils, evil, and need to be stopped at all costs. Rationality goes out of the window - for both sides sometimes.Putting WW's face on your rear-end is perfectly understandable.
Plus, for 20-30 years BA have always backed down, (not just to CC but to check-in staff with 20% absence rates, baggage handlers with or without light fingers, , Pilots and anyone else who could organise themselves to say "Boo!!" loudly to the BA management)............ so what Holley et al are doing is Completely sensible to them.
I'll repeat that in different words..............Holley and co are being perfectly rational from their perspective.
As to the "lies" and "spin" - after 100 years (OK, it only feels like that) of Campbell and Mandelson, what on earth do you expect??
If a Government can produce the dodgy dossier and get away with it, with not a single person fired, surely there is no problem with a modest amount of Bassa lies and spin???.
As to why BA can't spin. Simples. They are a listed Company. I'm not going in to the listing Rules here, but believe me, they can't do it. End of.
I think Diplome has done rather more than she should have done to answer your questions.
Back in this thread are all sorts of bits of info which when put to-gether answer all the questions. As you probably know, the answer is always 42.
On your most recent post, as I've said on this thread before, to understand what is going on, you have to get in to the striker's mind set. As someone else has observed, it is a bit like joining a cult.
The research (I can't remember who did it, but Prof John Purcell of Bath Uni will remember) shows that the mindset changes substantially once the actual strike has started. "The other side" become devils, evil, and need to be stopped at all costs. Rationality goes out of the window - for both sides sometimes.Putting WW's face on your rear-end is perfectly understandable.
Plus, for 20-30 years BA have always backed down, (not just to CC but to check-in staff with 20% absence rates, baggage handlers with or without light fingers, , Pilots and anyone else who could organise themselves to say "Boo!!" loudly to the BA management)............ so what Holley et al are doing is Completely sensible to them.
I'll repeat that in different words..............Holley and co are being perfectly rational from their perspective.
As to the "lies" and "spin" - after 100 years (OK, it only feels like that) of Campbell and Mandelson, what on earth do you expect??
If a Government can produce the dodgy dossier and get away with it, with not a single person fired, surely there is no problem with a modest amount of Bassa lies and spin???.
As to why BA can't spin. Simples. They are a listed Company. I'm not going in to the listing Rules here, but believe me, they can't do it. End of.
Oneye
Whilst I'd dearly love to hear one of our "onside" Cabin Crew put the case in/to the media, I don't think it's the best tactic at the moment.
Firstly, seeing as they would have to have management permission to speak they're immediately open to accusations of being a management stooge. Secondly I suspect some News organisations would love the opportunity to carry out the public inquisition of somebody who doesn't support UNITE, so I reckon the chances of him/her getting an uninterrupted, fair hearing would be close to zero. Thirdly the media would no doubt feel they had to give BASSA the right of reply, just giving them more publicity.
Frustrating though it is I think the PR side is being handled quite well by BA. Keep the aircraft flying, post adverts in the newspapers reminding folks we're still in business and that's it. It drives the story off the front page because there's nothing new to report, no arguments to splash over the front page and denies Woodley, Simpson and/or Holley et. al. air time.
Firstly, seeing as they would have to have management permission to speak they're immediately open to accusations of being a management stooge. Secondly I suspect some News organisations would love the opportunity to carry out the public inquisition of somebody who doesn't support UNITE, so I reckon the chances of him/her getting an uninterrupted, fair hearing would be close to zero. Thirdly the media would no doubt feel they had to give BASSA the right of reply, just giving them more publicity.
Frustrating though it is I think the PR side is being handled quite well by BA. Keep the aircraft flying, post adverts in the newspapers reminding folks we're still in business and that's it. It drives the story off the front page because there's nothing new to report, no arguments to splash over the front page and denies Woodley, Simpson and/or Holley et. al. air time.
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Ancient Observer
I have no arguement with Diplome's response and defer to your apparent superior abilities in this field. The point I was making, albeit perhaps simplisticly, was that from an outsiders point of view, it seems to me that the 'quality' cabincrew do not appear to have a proper voice in the media. I am not sure at all if you are, or were implying my allegiance to the labour party (spit), but to leave no doubt sir, I am apolitical, which does not mean that I do not use my vote. Demonstrated superiority, whether applicable or not sir, demeans the quality of what is proffered. The words don't necessarilly make the man, sorry, person.
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wiggy
Succinct, accurate and to the point, I could not agree more, I wish that there were more like you with the ability to cut through the verbosity. I include myself in the verbose element.
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Oneye
My guess is that they will wait until it is all over and the dust settled somewhat. THEN would be the time to walk in and pick up the pieces. No one would want to be associated with this fight - on either side.
It seems to me that 'someone', PCCC perhaps, now have enough support/clout to approach the company in order to enable a redress of the balance and consequently debunk the BASSA party line, ...
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Two points to ponder!
Two points to ponder - firstly if the staff car park is empty I had better tell my CC friend as it means her car has been nicked whilst she away on a trip!!!
And secondly i wonder if anyone could answer the following:
If DH is no longer an employee of British Airways I wonder how he can still be Branch Secretary of BASSA (British Airways Stewards and Stewardess's Association) - Surely one has to be in the employ of BA to be a member of this union as well as to be able to sign on to the Bassa Website etc. Or do different rules apply here? Not trying to be controversial I just wonder how this can be
any ideas anyone?
And secondly i wonder if anyone could answer the following:
If DH is no longer an employee of British Airways I wonder how he can still be Branch Secretary of BASSA (British Airways Stewards and Stewardess's Association) - Surely one has to be in the employ of BA to be a member of this union as well as to be able to sign on to the Bassa Website etc. Or do different rules apply here? Not trying to be controversial I just wonder how this can be
any ideas anyone?
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... BA will appeal against the Court of Appeal decision to allow strike .....
British Airways Strike: Airline To Appeal Court Verdict Which Allowed Unite Union Walkout | Business | Sky News
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I noted from the Sky News report that BA has demanded documents from Unite. I would have thought that if this was merely an appeal to the Supreme Court in respect of the injunction, they wouldn't need any documents? Perhaps, something new has come to light?
British Airways Strike: Airline To Appeal Court Verdict Which Allowed Unite Union Walkout | Business | Sky News
British Airways Strike: Airline To Appeal Court Verdict Which Allowed Unite Union Walkout | Business | Sky News
I wonder why BA didn't appeal the ruling earlier? Perhaps their legal team has spotted additional grounds in favour of BA? From a conspiracy angle I suppose it's possible that this is a cunning ploy to deter Unite from calling additional strikes after this week until this is resolved thereby cutting into the available strike days before June 12th.
