BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions V
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I have to confess to not being a fan of the Ryanair product but this embarrassment of Unite is a classic.
They've really cut down to size the union bully boys.
One question, are they bright enough to realise that the p*ss is being taken?
They've really cut down to size the union bully boys.One question, are they bright enough to realise that the p*ss is being taken?
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Ryan's Roses
There is a much more subliminal but significant message in this caper, and that is that every time Unite/BASSA engage in industrial shenanigans with BA, the non-unionised Ryan (and probably other non-unionised Locos) is going to take every opportunity to take some of BA's business. What a strategic folly on Unite's part. So much for representing their members' best interests.
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Hipennine
Surely fear of losing business to competitors is one of the pressures that a strike applies to the employer?
Strikes do cause risks for the members, this is one of them.
Surely fear of losing business to competitors is one of the pressures that a strike applies to the employer?
Strikes do cause risks for the members, this is one of them.
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One question, are they bright enough to realise that the p*ss is being taken?
There will be tears before bedtime!
Paxing All Over The World
Hi Frognal, welcome aboard.
And BASSA has now discovered that the threat that worked so successfully for 30 years - now has zero effect. Since they have no other weapon in their armoury, they have no choice but to capitulate or just keep repeating the same thing. Either way, they lose.
I am not pleased by this but I am pleased that BA has managed to realise that the managers of the last 30 years were wrong. They, however, are happily retired on pensions and beyond active criticism.
Surely fear of losing business to competitors is one of the pressures that a strike applies to the employer?
I am not pleased by this but I am pleased that BA has managed to realise that the managers of the last 30 years were wrong. They, however, are happily retired on pensions and beyond active criticism.
@frognal
Surely fear of losing business to competitors is one of the pressures that a strike applies to the employer?
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Frognal,
I am well aware of the concept of applying economic pressure on the employer through loss of business to competitors - indeed this now seems to be DH's sole tactic.
However, BA do not exist in a monopolistic world, and any uncertaintity created in customers mind will result in SH passengers being driven to use the likes of Ryan, which is vehemently anti-union, and many would say is leading the erosion of T+C's for all airline employees. In the end, this could result in compulsory redundancies in BA of Unite members if BA had to reduce SH capacity because of lost volume. That's not a risk of striking -it could be a very quick reality for some. How on earth does that benefit the members of BASSA, Unite, or any other UK union in air transport ?
I am well aware of the concept of applying economic pressure on the employer through loss of business to competitors - indeed this now seems to be DH's sole tactic.
However, BA do not exist in a monopolistic world, and any uncertaintity created in customers mind will result in SH passengers being driven to use the likes of Ryan, which is vehemently anti-union, and many would say is leading the erosion of T+C's for all airline employees. In the end, this could result in compulsory redundancies in BA of Unite members if BA had to reduce SH capacity because of lost volume. That's not a risk of striking -it could be a very quick reality for some. How on earth does that benefit the members of BASSA, Unite, or any other UK union in air transport ?
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Doesn't really say much.
FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY
Apr 1st, 2011 by admin
TO ALL UNITE BA CABIN CREW
Dear Colleagues
First of all let me congratulate you all on the fantastic result of the latest industrial action ballot. You have sent the clearest possible message to British Airways management about your strength, unity and consistency of purpose. Thank you for the support you have shown your representatives and the union as a whole.
Any mature management would now have to take notice and realise that there can be no possibility of a return to normality at the airline without an honourable negotiated peace. I hope that this possibility now exists. You will have heard from your reps and read in the press that informal discussions have taken place designed to restart that negotiating process. Negotiations themselves on the outstanding issues of substance will directly include your representatives, for the first time in over a year.
There has been a welcome change in tone from BA at the top, and I hope to see that reflected in a changed approach in practice, at all levels of the company. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case, and crew continued to be subject to unjustified disciplinary sanction and to other petty harassments on a daily basis. This cannot be allowed to continue. I would hope to have a positive basis for a “ceasefire” from management within the next few days. Failing that, please be in no doubt that I will be consulting with your representatives over the form that industrial action that we will be asking you to take, on the basis of the clear mandate in your ballot.
Of course, we all hope that the more positive mood will now be speedily built on and start to yield definite results. Either way, Unite’s commitment to securing for you an honourable conclusion to this dispute is firm and undiminished.
Yours sincerely,
Len McCluskey
General Secretary
Apr 1st, 2011 by admin
TO ALL UNITE BA CABIN CREW
Dear Colleagues
First of all let me congratulate you all on the fantastic result of the latest industrial action ballot. You have sent the clearest possible message to British Airways management about your strength, unity and consistency of purpose. Thank you for the support you have shown your representatives and the union as a whole.
Any mature management would now have to take notice and realise that there can be no possibility of a return to normality at the airline without an honourable negotiated peace. I hope that this possibility now exists. You will have heard from your reps and read in the press that informal discussions have taken place designed to restart that negotiating process. Negotiations themselves on the outstanding issues of substance will directly include your representatives, for the first time in over a year.
There has been a welcome change in tone from BA at the top, and I hope to see that reflected in a changed approach in practice, at all levels of the company. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case, and crew continued to be subject to unjustified disciplinary sanction and to other petty harassments on a daily basis. This cannot be allowed to continue. I would hope to have a positive basis for a “ceasefire” from management within the next few days. Failing that, please be in no doubt that I will be consulting with your representatives over the form that industrial action that we will be asking you to take, on the basis of the clear mandate in your ballot.
Of course, we all hope that the more positive mood will now be speedily built on and start to yield definite results. Either way, Unite’s commitment to securing for you an honourable conclusion to this dispute is firm and undiminished.
Yours sincerely,
Len McCluskey
General Secretary
If you read my post 187, you'll see that bassa has already broken so many untie rules that they could be cast adrift..............However, that post says why they will not be cast adrift.
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Oh, well ... Unite and BA are [sort of] talking. No doubt that will lead to nothing, especially if "negotiations on the outstanding issues of substance will directly include your [BASSA] representatives".
So, in the almost certain scenario that BA will not lie down and be kicked by the 5,800 ... it would appear that the Unions will just have to put their members' money where the leadership's mouth is. Good luck: you'll need it.
As to whether the travelling Public know or care, I have no doubt that some elements of the Meeja will make the expected noises.
"DON"T PANIC" ... BA flies the vast majority of flights, regardless of IA by BASSA. I'm less worried about the threat of IA than I am about the weather at my intended destination later this month.
So, in the almost certain scenario that BA will not lie down and be kicked by the 5,800 ... it would appear that the Unions will just have to put their members' money where the leadership's mouth is. Good luck: you'll need it.
As to whether the travelling Public know or care, I have no doubt that some elements of the Meeja will make the expected noises.
"DON"T PANIC" ... BA flies the vast majority of flights, regardless of IA by BASSA. I'm less worried about the threat of IA than I am about the weather at my intended destination later this month.
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Any mature management would now have to take notice and realise that there can be no possibility of a return to normality at the airline without an honourable negotiated peace.
That's exactly what BA don't want!
That's exactly what BA don't want!
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I'm not sure which way this will pan out. With BASSA reps involved in negotiations will they adopt a more hardline stance than the UNITE reps or will the reality of negotiation bring a spot of reality to them? On reflection I think the likelihood of a strike just increased - not that it will do any good for them.
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Agree the above ... the un-necessary remark about "mature management" and the incorporation of BASSA reps [if that's the correct interpretation of McC's missive] suggests that there's little prospect of any meaningful negotiation.
So sad, so pointless ... and of course so expensive for the 'rank and file'. McC, DH, LM and others will as always be completely insulated from the personal consequences.
So sad, so pointless ... and of course so expensive for the 'rank and file'. McC, DH, LM and others will as always be completely insulated from the personal consequences.
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I think that there will be a possibility of movement. If the negotiating team is made up of all parties, then all parties will have responsibility for the outcome and will be directly accountable to the membership for content.
It will be a negotiation and as negotiators they will all be reporting back at some point and the crewing levels will remain the same and MF will still be in existence.
It will be a negotiation and as negotiators they will all be reporting back at some point and the crewing levels will remain the same and MF will still be in existence.
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I'm not so sure the chances of a strike have increased as such. The elephant in the room is still the issue of whether any action would be protected.
The restarting of negotiations may be a positive step as long as BASSA and CC89 put aside their rivalries and we don't see a repeat of the two branches refusing to sit in the same room, turning up late, storming out of meetings etc.
The restarting of negotiations may be a positive step as long as BASSA and CC89 put aside their rivalries and we don't see a repeat of the two branches refusing to sit in the same room, turning up late, storming out of meetings etc.
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Negotiations themselves on the outstanding issues of substance will directly include your representatives, for the first time in over a year.
If only those accounts can be got now - but that's another story.
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Hipennine
You said
The definition of a risk is an event that may take place in the future, with an impact.
I respectfully suggest that your logic is a little out.
If one votes for a strike, then one risks the consequences.
The members need to take considered decisions and accept the responsibility of their decisions.
You said
That's not a risk of striking -it could be a very quick reality for some. How on earth does that benefit the members of BASSA, Unite, or any other UK union in air transport ?
I respectfully suggest that your logic is a little out.
If one votes for a strike, then one risks the consequences.
The members need to take considered decisions and accept the responsibility of their decisions.
