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-   -   BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions V (https://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf-self-loading-freight/446356-ba-strike-your-thoughts-questions-v.html)

OSAGYEFO2 28th Mar 2011 14:14

BASSA said that the vote would not result in a strike but would send a message.

The message it sends is that the dispute is not over, therefor Duncan keeps his job and the cash continues to roll in.

Ancient Observer 28th Mar 2011 14:15

A "real" strike?
 
Shouldn't the bassa junta declare a "real" strike? One where the strikers walk out for 12 weeks (at least) and do not return until the issues are resolved?

"Real" strikes used to be the norm. The employees would really hurt the employer, and would be seriously out of pocket themselves.

Who gains from these strikes that only last a few days? These "holidays" for the BMW driving, Pimms swilling hobby jobbers?
No-one...........other than the bassa junta them selves, who prolong the strike and keep raking in the money from the branch funds.

notlangley 28th Mar 2011 14:23

Links to Ballot numbers and percentages
 
References are the following links
0.1 _ paragraph 4 of:-___link

0.2 _Total number of ballot paper is stated in:-___ link

1.1 _ paragraph 8 of:-___link

2.1 _ link

3.1 _-link

4.1 _-link

4.2 _Total number of ballot paper is stated in:-___ link

Chuchinchow 28th Mar 2011 15:19


This is bad news for passengers.
I am quite sure that most passengers will be simultaneously pragmatic and phlegmatic about the result of the most recent BASSA vote.

British Airways is not the only airline in the world.

MPN11 28th Mar 2011 15:22

This is not bad news for passengers, as BA will function perfectly adequately, as usual.

There is NO strike declaration [I assume 'Daddy' has to approve that, and it would possibly have been pre-agreed anyway].

We'll just carry on as usual, with grumpy crew and inconsistent service, on a reliable and safe airline. Those who are younger than I may see the final fanfare as the last of the legacy crew retire.

BetterByBoat 28th Mar 2011 17:35

I have friends who have refused to fly BA since the strike votes in 2009 on the basis they don't know what will happen. I have continued to fly BA along with MPN11 but I'm not sure we are in the majority. Would be interesting to see how this hits bookings and margins.


Interesting to see how BA plays it. They have told strikers what to expect and then followed through with that promise. Hopefully BA will take a stronger stance and actually use this opportunity to improve customer service by removing crew who don't want to be there. If only disgruntled crew would actually really vote with their feet and find another job but I guess a lack of transferable skills means they can't get the same pay \ conditions anywhere else.

LD12986 28th Mar 2011 17:45

In one sense, the number voting Yes is not surprising. The 5,000 odd crew who did go on strike don't have much to lose by voting Yes again. Add in the regular empty promises and you get your Yes vote.

That said, it is disappointing that Keith Williams' gesture in paying the bonuses to strikers (and the departure of WW to IAG) has had no effect. Nor has any loss of credibility in connection with the last failed ballot.

If crew have been conditioned to believe that BASSA is the sole source of the truth and everything BA does is part of a sinister plot to crush BASSA and crew then little can be done to turn this around.

Also, sadly, if the claim that the PCCC has 200 members is true then I'm sorry to say but I think the ship has sailed as far as establishing it as a credible alternative to BASSA.

fincastle84 28th Mar 2011 18:06


I have continued to fly BA along with MPN11 but I'm not sure we are in the majority.
We've just flown LGW-GND-LGW in J & the flight was chocker both ways, in all classes. You are definitely not alone in backing BA.

Our future (LHR) flights are booked up to March 2012.

VintageKrug 28th Mar 2011 18:24


Originally Posted by LD12986
Also, sadly, if the claim that the PCCC has 200 members is true then I'm sorry to say but I think the ship has sailed as far as establishing it as a credible alternative to BASSA.

I think that 200 number would only be at the time of PornGate, when the website was launched and more public profile was first adopted. Can't remember when all that kicked off? Anyone...?

PCCC – Professional Cabin Crew Council probably has many more members by now, though probably not enough to make a play for recognition yet.

The result of this ballot is being largely ridiculed, or worse, ignored, on other passenger forums.

Neptunus Rex 28th Mar 2011 18:26

This is not a strike, it's a "strikette," as was the last one. It will not succeed (if it ever takes place) because there will be plenty of volunteers to take up the slack.

It is, however, time for BA to get tough with the miscreants. Including strikers in the bonus scheme was a grave error of judgement.

MPN11 28th Mar 2011 18:39


Originally Posted by fincastle84
Our future (LHR) flights are booked up to March 2012.

There's posh!! I'm only booked up to October this year. ;)


Originally Posted by Neptunus Rex
This is not a strike, it's a "strikette," as was the last one. It will not succeed (if it ever takes place) because there will be plenty of volunteers to take up the slack.

And there's the [expensive] point of this ongoing farce.
Having spent BASSA [??] subscriptions on yet another ballot, and got a "Yes" from 5,800 people ... where's the Strike Dates?
Are Unite waiting to see the massive support before allowing DH to go ahead?
Or do they even care about this embarrassing outfit?
...............
For those with short memories, there was a series of 4 strikes last May [nothing to do with the volcano, which affected April]. I flew through 2 of those, and thousands of other people did as well. we all [with a few exceptions] proceeded from A to B. NOW, in 2011, BA has even more VCC ... and a completely new Fleet who aren't interested in preserving the perks of the pre-97 senior crew [enough said on that aspect].

IF Unite agree IA, I'll be surprised.
IF IA is agreed, and it has any significant impact, I'll be surprised.
IF Duncan Holley allows a democratic vote on the BASSA leadership, I'll be surprised.
IF BASSA releases its accounts, I'll be surprised.
It could be an interesting year :cool:

Entaxei 28th Mar 2011 18:59

Lack of Consideration
 
This is most inconsiderate of all CC concerned in Unite/BASSA, I am due to go to Porto during or close to the likely strike period, nowI am going to have to adjust my dates and booking to go to Lisbon, as BA don't fly to Porto, then fly or drive to Porto.

All to show my backing for BA and belief that any strikers should be given a straight boot up the a*se with a P45 and, refusal of any reference other than stating that after being given a bonus, they refused to carry out their duties and went on strike. Which reminds me, can that bonus be removed?

And ...... the union movement is worried about foreign labour taking over 'British' jobs!!! - Don't worry, Len Mcluck is on the way again, he's used to dealing with large numbers of redundancies - can anyone remember how many the Docks used to employ before he got going?

The stupidity and cupidity of people continues apace :ugh:

MPN11 28th Mar 2011 19:21

Entaxei
 
:ok:

Enjoy a pleasant drive/fly to Porto :cool:

Frognal 28th Mar 2011 19:28

As a long time lurker, I decided to register and give a view today.

It is ridiculous that the biggest airline in the UK has a Mexican stand off with nearly 15% of it's workforce, after all this time.

Time for the company to resolve the situation, management should manage.

The legislation is there to take action and the justification is clear.

Action this day.

MPN11 28th Mar 2011 19:44

1. Hello, Frogal. I share your grief, but BA is playing a long game. I think the evidence is that they know what they're doing ... see next.

2. From the CC Thread ...

There won't be a strike. BASSA Reps have been telling crew that they fly with that the next step will be to announce strike dates, then cancel them. Then Re-ballot, round and around the BASSA merry go round until BA gives into their demands.

The reason is that members have expressed concern about the financial implications of further IA. So BASSA's strategy is to just cancel and re-ballot as they know they will not have the support they had last time.

I have heard this from quite a few sources, but does anyone know if they can do this? Surely if they cancel they have no justification to re-ballot?
3. BASSA/DH are possibly intent to play silly bu66ers, as was pre-warned some time back. That does precisely nothing to further the cause of the CC, of course, but does have the potential to cause minor damage to BA's forward bookings.

4. Following on from 3, I hesitate to mention the fact that DH appears to have engineered a situation where he remains in his salaried post as long as there is an on-going Industrial Dispute, despite the fact that he is no longer employed by BA and is technically un-entitled to be Gen Sec of BASSA. However, one day those 5,811 union subscription payers will realise what's happening ... especially if the "unavailable" BASSA accounts ever surface.


This is a DIRTY fight, and BA are remaining impressively calm. I do earnestly hope there will be some severe retribution in the future ... not for the individual CC, but for those who have created this farce.

fincastle84 28th Mar 2011 20:19

MPN 11
 

There's posh!! I'm only booked up to October this year. ;)
I'm using an Amex voucher plus BA miles to CPT. As you well know, if you don't book 353 days in advance, the 2x only J class seats have gone. I'll be updating our return flights later in the week. Navigators were always renowned for their planning, now we're just like the Do-Do!

Returning to the topic, I notice that the BBC have eventually stopped reporting the fictitious report that the Bassa majority was in excess of 8 to 1. I guess that the left wing BBC initially happily reported an untrue Bassa leak prior to the release of the official figures.

I wonder how long it will be before the ballot is declared illegal?

cdtaylor_nats 28th Mar 2011 21:18

If they go ahead with the tactics of declaring and then cancelling strikes, how long will it be before a Conservative led government decides its time to amend the legislation to make the tactic illegal?

LD12986 28th Mar 2011 21:23

If, as soundings suggest, BASSA is aware that the strike is unprotected, I don't think we'll even get to strike dates being called. As soon as Unite does that the meter starts running on the damages claim against Unite.

Litebulbs 28th Mar 2011 22:24

Are the damages not limited to £250k? It is a big number but less than 1% of member revenue. Come to think of it, that is less than 50% of the extra Bassa charge their members.

Believe me, I would want to retain that money in Unite coffers, as a percentage of that is mine, but who is set to loose more, BA or Unite?

Dawdler 28th Mar 2011 23:26


If they go ahead with the tactics of declaring and then cancelling strikes, how long will it be before a Conservative led government decides its time to amend the legislation to make the tactic illegal?
I thought it already was illegal. Wasn't there some discussion some weeks ago about an American airline (Alaskan?) being subject to this sort of action and having to succumb? I think at the time it was stated that such behaviour was not possible (without penalty) under UK laws.

I believe the tactics used in USA were something like, declaring a strike but then turn up for work, then declare another strike a few days later, but again turn up, then actually go on strike without notice. I may have the details wrong but I think the basis is about right.


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