BA Cabin Crew Strike Threat
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Dosen't worry me as it doesn't affect me. BASSA and BA,through negotiation have achieved a pay rise that much of industry will struggle to match, movement on other items that were an issue and avoided a strike.
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A slightly positive spin on it. The fact that the pay deal is not backdated means the rise is only valid for 6 months. Hardly industry shaking. Next years rise is capped at RPI. I reckon thats pretty easy to match. The negotiation seemed to consist of them telling BA what they wanted and BA telling them how it was going to be! Like we've said before, nothing new on the table except zero cost items.
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I agree the value of this years rise is about six months worth, but year on year, you are 0.9% better off than if you would have been, if the deal had been signed back in October. If you had made the statement one year ago, that in Feb 07, a 4.6% pay rise would be offered, people would just about stopped laughing by November. Whether by the skill of the BASSA negotiators, or just plain luck, 4.6% is still a substantial pay rise by modern standards.
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I despair
As with many 'slf' (most other industries would refer to their customers or clients) I've refrained from posting until now as I am not part of the industry.
I've read this topic with a growing sense of dread; I'm proud of BA as our flag carrier and I chose BA whenever possible. As the CEO of a reasonably large company I travel a fair amount and I am a silver card holder. I chose BA both for business (when my company pays) and for pleasure (when I pay). I chose BA primarily because I trust the pilots to be well trained and to put safety above everything else. I chose BA because I trust the engineers to maintain the planes properly and the company to make sure they have the resources to do so. And lastly I chose BA because, after long and often tiring trips, I feel at home as soon as I board the plane and that is often because of the cabin crew. When on form the cabin crew can make all the difference and often do. That said, in recent years I have had cabin crews who appear to regard passengers as a boring diversion, this happens all too frequently on long haul. BA's product is 'ok' but by no means the best, it really should be compulsory for BA CC to try out other airlines.
But back to my point, I despair! I despair because I don't and haven't seen anything in this forum or the press to indicate that BA CC have not been totally taken up the garden path by their union and I despair that they allowed themselves to be so. I will continue to support BA as a passenger because I am genuinely proud we have a profitable and efficient flag carrier but I know I am now letting emotion rather than sense influence my choice. If these problems continue BA will go bust or be taken over and that depresses me. You are killing your own employer! BA are no longer the best, the product (even with the new club upgrade) is no longer the best and the CC have lost touch with what is available elsewhere. I hope I am right in my belief that the pilots and engineers are the best because that is the only justification I now have to fly BA.
I've read this topic with a growing sense of dread; I'm proud of BA as our flag carrier and I chose BA whenever possible. As the CEO of a reasonably large company I travel a fair amount and I am a silver card holder. I chose BA both for business (when my company pays) and for pleasure (when I pay). I chose BA primarily because I trust the pilots to be well trained and to put safety above everything else. I chose BA because I trust the engineers to maintain the planes properly and the company to make sure they have the resources to do so. And lastly I chose BA because, after long and often tiring trips, I feel at home as soon as I board the plane and that is often because of the cabin crew. When on form the cabin crew can make all the difference and often do. That said, in recent years I have had cabin crews who appear to regard passengers as a boring diversion, this happens all too frequently on long haul. BA's product is 'ok' but by no means the best, it really should be compulsory for BA CC to try out other airlines.
But back to my point, I despair! I despair because I don't and haven't seen anything in this forum or the press to indicate that BA CC have not been totally taken up the garden path by their union and I despair that they allowed themselves to be so. I will continue to support BA as a passenger because I am genuinely proud we have a profitable and efficient flag carrier but I know I am now letting emotion rather than sense influence my choice. If these problems continue BA will go bust or be taken over and that depresses me. You are killing your own employer! BA are no longer the best, the product (even with the new club upgrade) is no longer the best and the CC have lost touch with what is available elsewhere. I hope I am right in my belief that the pilots and engineers are the best because that is the only justification I now have to fly BA.
Controversial, moi?
And for anybody wondering why BA needed a robust sickness policy how about this little gem from the BASSA website earlier this evening.
NEWS UPDATE 29 January 2007
The strike has been called off. The agreement is complex and once we get an electronic copy we will post it here on BASSA NEWS. Naturally emotions are running high, especially as we were so close to the first strike days.
You may be interested to know that as of this afternoon we have been told that over 1000 crew had gone sick, so once again many crew have taken the easy route, that would have left the reps and the members who did go on strike exposed to the retribution of BA.
We will update you further as soon as we can.
The strike has been called off. The agreement is complex and once we get an electronic copy we will post it here on BASSA NEWS. Naturally emotions are running high, especially as we were so close to the first strike days.
You may be interested to know that as of this afternoon we have been told that over 1000 crew had gone sick, so once again many crew have taken the easy route, that would have left the reps and the members who did go on strike exposed to the retribution of BA.
We will update you further as soon as we can.
Paxing All Over The World
It is difficult to know where to start with all of this mess but it is obvious that EVERYONE has lost. No one comes well out of this.
This was posted by Top Bunk as being from The Branch Secretary in post #987.
It has been said already in this thread but ... do they know it's not 1974? They really need to learn something about diplomacy and negotiation, the very things they accuse BA of not having. Is BASSA the last unreconstructed Union?
It is apparent that BA mgmt are very 'modern' in their approach to their task, so they have made it very easy for everyone else to be better. If BASSA had thought about it and reinvented themselves as a 21st century organisation, they could have been the good guys and distinguished themselves.
Looking from the passenger seat of 'GB plc' it looks as if they have done the opposite. But I repeat, everyone has lost.
One observation about CC and their working hours - taken from the outside and without full understanding of their job: I find it remarkable that their working hours are scheduled to be less than the flight crew. It is stated that, for the sake of one hour's work - they can prevent a flight from departing? When I think of the people in conventional employment who regularly work three or four hours overtime a week for no money and without hesitation, it makes you wonder...
This was posted by Top Bunk as being from The Branch Secretary in post #987.
The cold facts say however that BA were dragged to the negotiation table and important concessions were given.
It is apparent that BA mgmt are very 'modern' in their approach to their task, so they have made it very easy for everyone else to be better. If BASSA had thought about it and reinvented themselves as a 21st century organisation, they could have been the good guys and distinguished themselves.
Looking from the passenger seat of 'GB plc' it looks as if they have done the opposite. But I repeat, everyone has lost.
One observation about CC and their working hours - taken from the outside and without full understanding of their job: I find it remarkable that their working hours are scheduled to be less than the flight crew. It is stated that, for the sake of one hour's work - they can prevent a flight from departing? When I think of the people in conventional employment who regularly work three or four hours overtime a week for no money and without hesitation, it makes you wonder...
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Latest hot poop from the funny farm:
28 JANUARY 2007
EG300
Please refer to Appendix 1; EG300 Cabin Crew Procedures Document Update v9.0
STATUS – AGREED
BUSES
The BA5 has been rescheduled to provide transport between the Compass Centre and the Central Area at the weekends. The service started on 27 January 2007 and provides service between 0600 and 2357 every 30 minutes. (Refer to BA intranet for full schedule)
STATUS – AGREED
GATWICK BREAKFAST ALLOWANCE
Increase hourly rate by 11p to £2.43 which includes the ‘buy out’ of current arrangements.
STATUS – AGREED
DOWNROUTE REPORT TIME
Referred back to Worldwide Steering Panel
STATUS - REMITTED
900 HOURS
Please refer to Appendix 2; 900 Hours v3.0
STATUS – AGREED
FOR PROCESS APPLICATION THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN WORLDWIDE STEERING PANEL
MANCHESTER BASE
STATUS – DISCUSSION CONCLUDED
PREFERRED SELLER
STATUS – OFF THE TABLE
FIXED LINKS
Form a working group and commence a trial. No imposition, details to be negotiated and agreed within Eurofleet Steering Panel.
STATUS - REMITTED
SINGLE SUPERVISORY GRADE (CSD Shorthaul)
Please refer to Appendix 3; CSD ‘X’ – EUROFLEET v3.0 which has been approved between us.
STATUS – AGREED
PURSER/JUNIOR SWAP
Introduction agreed for implementation from September 2007. Details regarding the implementation will take place at Worldwide Steering. We would introduce this change incrementally and we confirmed that we will offer voluntary severance to CSDs and Pursers which in itself should provide some room for promotion opportunities. Part time opportunities will be offered to Pursers.
STATUS - AGREED
POST 97 PAYSCALE
Please refer to Appendix 4; Cabin Crew two-year pay agreement 1st February – 31st January 2009 v7.0. This is the outcome of our pay discussions and will be ratified as the settlement for cabin crew pay at the ACC NSP.
STATUS – AGREED
RESOLVED PENDING RATIFICATION
PENSIONS
This matter has been concluded at the BA Forum.
The distribution of the £6m will be resolved at the ACC NSP, the intention is to increase pay for pension purposes by 18.75%.
If crew want to retire aged 55 they will pay extra contributions, currently 9%. As per the existing arrangements, staff with at least 10 years continuous service and in receipt of an immediate pension will qualify for staff travel concessions. Staff travel is a non-contractual benefit granted at the sole discretion of British Airways and can be withdrawn or varied at any time.
STATUS – RESOLVED PENDING RATIFICATION
ILL HEALTH
The company is prepared to make a proposal to the Employment Policy Committee which would address a pension concern raised on behalf of cabin crew during the talks. Please refer to Appendix 5; Proposal for Employment Policy Committee
RELATIONSHIP
British Airways and BASSA/T&G recognise that the relationship needs significant and intensive improvement. This process will receive commitment and dedication from both parties.
Our aim is to establish a constructive and professional relationship that recognises the objectives of both sides and respects each other’s positions. Both parties recognise that a fresh start is needed and both parties commit to begin the relationship-building work with the purpose of establishing general principles that cover:
• Purpose and objectives
• Code of conduct
• Engagement
• Mechanisms for resolving conflict
• Communication
The CEO of British Airways commits to meeting with the senior representatives of BASSA on a quarterly basis. This will provide the Senior Representatives with an opportunity to raise issues of significant concern such as the application of the ill health retirement process.
The initial and ongoing progress of this work will be jointly reviewed by the CEO of British Airways and the T&G General Secretary on a regular basis.
HOURLY RATE
STATUS – OFF THE TABLE
I love the way they sneaked the hourly rate in at the end, even though it was 'off the table' before the strike ballot was announced. What a triumph!
28 JANUARY 2007
EG300
Please refer to Appendix 1; EG300 Cabin Crew Procedures Document Update v9.0
STATUS – AGREED
BUSES
The BA5 has been rescheduled to provide transport between the Compass Centre and the Central Area at the weekends. The service started on 27 January 2007 and provides service between 0600 and 2357 every 30 minutes. (Refer to BA intranet for full schedule)
STATUS – AGREED
GATWICK BREAKFAST ALLOWANCE
Increase hourly rate by 11p to £2.43 which includes the ‘buy out’ of current arrangements.
STATUS – AGREED
DOWNROUTE REPORT TIME
Referred back to Worldwide Steering Panel
STATUS - REMITTED
900 HOURS
Please refer to Appendix 2; 900 Hours v3.0
STATUS – AGREED
FOR PROCESS APPLICATION THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN WORLDWIDE STEERING PANEL
MANCHESTER BASE
STATUS – DISCUSSION CONCLUDED
PREFERRED SELLER
STATUS – OFF THE TABLE
FIXED LINKS
Form a working group and commence a trial. No imposition, details to be negotiated and agreed within Eurofleet Steering Panel.
STATUS - REMITTED
SINGLE SUPERVISORY GRADE (CSD Shorthaul)
Please refer to Appendix 3; CSD ‘X’ – EUROFLEET v3.0 which has been approved between us.
STATUS – AGREED
PURSER/JUNIOR SWAP
Introduction agreed for implementation from September 2007. Details regarding the implementation will take place at Worldwide Steering. We would introduce this change incrementally and we confirmed that we will offer voluntary severance to CSDs and Pursers which in itself should provide some room for promotion opportunities. Part time opportunities will be offered to Pursers.
STATUS - AGREED
POST 97 PAYSCALE
Please refer to Appendix 4; Cabin Crew two-year pay agreement 1st February – 31st January 2009 v7.0. This is the outcome of our pay discussions and will be ratified as the settlement for cabin crew pay at the ACC NSP.
STATUS – AGREED
RESOLVED PENDING RATIFICATION
PENSIONS
This matter has been concluded at the BA Forum.
The distribution of the £6m will be resolved at the ACC NSP, the intention is to increase pay for pension purposes by 18.75%.
If crew want to retire aged 55 they will pay extra contributions, currently 9%. As per the existing arrangements, staff with at least 10 years continuous service and in receipt of an immediate pension will qualify for staff travel concessions. Staff travel is a non-contractual benefit granted at the sole discretion of British Airways and can be withdrawn or varied at any time.
STATUS – RESOLVED PENDING RATIFICATION
ILL HEALTH
The company is prepared to make a proposal to the Employment Policy Committee which would address a pension concern raised on behalf of cabin crew during the talks. Please refer to Appendix 5; Proposal for Employment Policy Committee
RELATIONSHIP
British Airways and BASSA/T&G recognise that the relationship needs significant and intensive improvement. This process will receive commitment and dedication from both parties.
Our aim is to establish a constructive and professional relationship that recognises the objectives of both sides and respects each other’s positions. Both parties recognise that a fresh start is needed and both parties commit to begin the relationship-building work with the purpose of establishing general principles that cover:
• Purpose and objectives
• Code of conduct
• Engagement
• Mechanisms for resolving conflict
• Communication
The CEO of British Airways commits to meeting with the senior representatives of BASSA on a quarterly basis. This will provide the Senior Representatives with an opportunity to raise issues of significant concern such as the application of the ill health retirement process.
The initial and ongoing progress of this work will be jointly reviewed by the CEO of British Airways and the T&G General Secretary on a regular basis.
HOURLY RATE
STATUS – OFF THE TABLE
I love the way they sneaked the hourly rate in at the end, even though it was 'off the table' before the strike ballot was announced. What a triumph!
Companies get the Unions and Union rep.s that they deserve
Companies get the Unions and Union rep.s that they deserve. Whilst I agree with BA that both 22 days sickness, and 12, are far too many, my observation of Employee Relations in the UK, (outside BA) is that companies get the TUs and TU reps that they deserve.
BA need to massively upgrade the capability of their managers, and then, over time, they will get the response from staff that the customers deserve.
Can BA do that before they lose their most profitable routes to new airlines such as Silverjet?
EZY and Ryan have not yet really impacted BA's core profit-earning routes - much of the LoCo success has impacted the chartered sector much more than the scheduled sector.
Can BA turn itself around in time.......? Watch this space.....
One of the SLF.
BA need to massively upgrade the capability of their managers, and then, over time, they will get the response from staff that the customers deserve.
Can BA do that before they lose their most profitable routes to new airlines such as Silverjet?
EZY and Ryan have not yet really impacted BA's core profit-earning routes - much of the LoCo success has impacted the chartered sector much more than the scheduled sector.
Can BA turn itself around in time.......? Watch this space.....
One of the SLF.
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According to friends 1 of my posts has been paraphrased on the BASSA forum.................. 
For those who don't like the truth on the BASSA forum, look at my post and its timings, now read the commentry in todays press and watch the interviews on the TV, they are giving the same message that I spelt out yesterday.
Now work out if BASSA have been manipulating its membership
Many CC of course will prefer to bury their heads in the sand.
For those who don't like the truth on the BASSA forum, look at my post and its timings, now read the commentry in todays press and watch the interviews on the TV, they are giving the same message that I spelt out yesterday.
Now work out if BASSA have been manipulating its membership
Many CC of course will prefer to bury their heads in the sand.
Alot of CC must be disappointed at the strike days being called off as they no doubt had some nice little plans for 'their days off'
BASLF, you said "I hope I am right in my belief that the pilots and engineers are the best because that is the only justification I now have to fly BA.".
Not really; no better and no worse than most, if the truth be known, but that's around a pretty high benchmark standard of safety. Certainly not "the best".
Mind you -THREAD CREEP ALERT - not every airline thinks it's OK to take passengers on 3-engine long-distance ferry rides in B744s without the "no thanks, that's not what I paid for" option. BA company policy (perhaps others, to be fair) is to do it regardless, especially when it saves money. Think about that when you book long-haul BA.
For me and my company, as per previous posts, it's bye-bye time, now that we know that the threat of disruption is ever present. And I'm ex-BOAC/BA. If you want to go on supporting BA by buying their products, you're on your own
Not really; no better and no worse than most, if the truth be known, but that's around a pretty high benchmark standard of safety. Certainly not "the best".
Mind you -THREAD CREEP ALERT - not every airline thinks it's OK to take passengers on 3-engine long-distance ferry rides in B744s without the "no thanks, that's not what I paid for" option. BA company policy (perhaps others, to be fair) is to do it regardless, especially when it saves money. Think about that when you book long-haul BA.
For me and my company, as per previous posts, it's bye-bye time, now that we know that the threat of disruption is ever present. And I'm ex-BOAC/BA. If you want to go on supporting BA by buying their products, you're on your own
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Aaah so now you pay for the number of engines do you? And if you turned up and they'd subbed the 747 for a 777 you'd refuse to go, wouldn't you? Whilst you're avoiding airlines with a flight continuation policy you'd better steer clear of Virgin and Cathay too. In fact, you'd probably better steer clear of any 744 operator that isn't regulated by the FAA. Much better to fly 4 hours from land on a single donk on their unrestricted ETOPS machines!
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old but bold: Perhaps we should set up electronic voting for those tricky occasions. We know the Monday morning quarterbacks will be out in force, so instead of the current methods, we'll display our options on the screen and invite the audience - sorry - I meant passengers - to vote on their preferred outcome. With satcomm, they could even phone a friend, or even give live commentary to the networks ("Yes - the F/O's just carrying out the memory items... hang on.. yes he's gone for the secure engine checklist...")
Paxing All Over The World
I certainly agree that (it sounds as if) the BA mgmt should be upgraded by being demoted. Some serious training and inspection of their actions is required however ...
Thinking about this today, I realised the enormous similarities between BA and another ex-Nationalised industry giant - BT. I worked in telecommunications for over 25 years and always worked for the customer, not the suppliers. I watched 'GPO Telephones' become BT plc and they went through the same period of arrogance as BA.
For many years after privatisation, there was still the attitude, "But we are BT, of course we are the best" and the distinct view that you should buy BT just because they were BT. Now they have had that shaken out of them but it took nearly 20 years.
The advantage that BT had was that, thousands of their staff met their customers (domestic and corporate) every day in their homes and offices. So, as the new companies like Mercury and AT&T started to have an impact - they knew about it right away. They could see and hear directly from us why they were losing business.
BA staff, for the greatest majority, do not get to see the other side of the story. When they go on holiday, they will probably use BA. If they do go on a LoCo or Charter, they will ascribe any shortfalls to them not being a main line carrier and, once again, not learn anything. If they see higher standards will they respond?
Of course, BA has people who are paid to travel on their competitors and evaluate the compettition but that information is all in confidential reports and by the time anything filters down to the staff in a training programme - it has lost any punch and immediacy.
BT had many, many competitors but the only strong competition to BA in the past 30 years has been VS. All the others that threatened were bought up and no lesson was learned. With VS, they tried to crush them BUT many have pointed out the great improvements that came about in BA as a result of VS (all cabins).
I was very lucky that, when I started in telecomms, I was doing a job that took me to over 100 companies in a five year period - so I learnt a great deal about how they worked and what their staff wanted from their telephone systems and infrastructure, before I became a supervisor, then a manager and then a consultant.
BA should consider paying for all it's CC to travel several sectors each year. Check-in staff could take some flights too and see how it feels to stand in those long queues and then be told a critical item of information that the booking agent did not tell you and the web site did not make clear in large letters. There are many other examples of course, but I pick a couple at random. So, rather than offer staff travel - offer to pay their fares on the competition. (Yes, I know they never will.)
Until BA staff know what the other carriers are doing and the standards they deliver - they cannot change. Trying to tell them through training programmes (assuming that it has been done) has failed.
Thinking about this today, I realised the enormous similarities between BA and another ex-Nationalised industry giant - BT. I worked in telecommunications for over 25 years and always worked for the customer, not the suppliers. I watched 'GPO Telephones' become BT plc and they went through the same period of arrogance as BA.
For many years after privatisation, there was still the attitude, "But we are BT, of course we are the best" and the distinct view that you should buy BT just because they were BT. Now they have had that shaken out of them but it took nearly 20 years.
The advantage that BT had was that, thousands of their staff met their customers (domestic and corporate) every day in their homes and offices. So, as the new companies like Mercury and AT&T started to have an impact - they knew about it right away. They could see and hear directly from us why they were losing business.
BA staff, for the greatest majority, do not get to see the other side of the story. When they go on holiday, they will probably use BA. If they do go on a LoCo or Charter, they will ascribe any shortfalls to them not being a main line carrier and, once again, not learn anything. If they see higher standards will they respond?
Of course, BA has people who are paid to travel on their competitors and evaluate the compettition but that information is all in confidential reports and by the time anything filters down to the staff in a training programme - it has lost any punch and immediacy.
BT had many, many competitors but the only strong competition to BA in the past 30 years has been VS. All the others that threatened were bought up and no lesson was learned. With VS, they tried to crush them BUT many have pointed out the great improvements that came about in BA as a result of VS (all cabins).
I was very lucky that, when I started in telecomms, I was doing a job that took me to over 100 companies in a five year period - so I learnt a great deal about how they worked and what their staff wanted from their telephone systems and infrastructure, before I became a supervisor, then a manager and then a consultant.
BA should consider paying for all it's CC to travel several sectors each year. Check-in staff could take some flights too and see how it feels to stand in those long queues and then be told a critical item of information that the booking agent did not tell you and the web site did not make clear in large letters. There are many other examples of course, but I pick a couple at random. So, rather than offer staff travel - offer to pay their fares on the competition. (Yes, I know they never will.)
Until BA staff know what the other carriers are doing and the standards they deliver - they cannot change. Trying to tell them through training programmes (assuming that it has been done) has failed.
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*Aaah so now you pay for the number of engines do you? And if you turned up and they'd subbed the 747 for a 777 you'd refuse to go, wouldn't you?*
C'mon Carnage, you know a little bit of engine balance never goes astray !
But I gladly admit that I've enjoyed every one of your posts.
Sheesh, all those lonely hours hunched over a laptop in your hotel room ?
But back to the topic; call me cynical, but if BA hadn't unavoidably set themselves up to be flying several cubic miles of fresh air around the network for a couple of days, do you reckon they'd have still gone back to work ?
C'mon Carnage, you know a little bit of engine balance never goes astray !
But I gladly admit that I've enjoyed every one of your posts.
Sheesh, all those lonely hours hunched over a laptop in your hotel room ?
But back to the topic; call me cynical, but if BA hadn't unavoidably set themselves up to be flying several cubic miles of fresh air around the network for a couple of days, do you reckon they'd have still gone back to work ?
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BA on strike? - never mind that, lets concentrate on the important things!
Never mind the strike, BA directors to get unlimited first-class travel
Steve Hawkes
# Deal will include wives and children
# Unions furious at 'nest feathering'
British Airways is planning to offer senior directors a lavish travel policy that guarantees them unlimited free first-class flights, The Times has learnt.
The final touches were being added to the scheme even as the company was locked in strike talks with unions over plans to alter their pay and conditions. Senior managers were asked to rubber-stamp a new policy allowing non-executives to “queue-jump” paying passengers and reserve free, first-class tickets to any destination in the world.
An internal e-mail seen by The Times reveals that the discussions were taking place last Wednesday — just as the airline was preparing to cancel 1,300 flights because of a potentially crippling strike by thousands of cabin crew — which was only averted by a last-minute deal with the Transport & General Workers’ Union two days ago.
Non-executive directors are currently given “high priority” for the most expensive seats, but can be bumped down if space fills up in the first-class cabin. The e-mail to Alan Buchanan, the company secretary, from the department dealing with internal “manager rewards”, reveals that the new guidelines would put them on the same first-come, first-served footing as any other “commercial” booking.
It suggests that the change has already been approved by BA’s £300,000-a-year chairman, Martin Broughton.
An airline spokeswoman denied last night that talks over the new policy followed confusion over a booking made by the BA chairman’s wife, Jocelyn Broughton, before a flight home from South America two weeks ago. “These proposals have been under discussion for months,” she said.
The e-mail — entitled “Non-Executive Director Travel” — spells out: “With immediate effect all BA Business and Personal travel will be on a commercial basis in premium cabins. Travel will be First (longhaul), with option to go into Club if F not available. If anyone volunteers to go in Club that’s fine.
“New arrangements will apply to the individual, spouse/partner and children under 18 years. Unlimited number of tickets per annum. Costs will be charged to the Chairman’s budget.”
The timing of the discussion is a major embarrassment to BA, given its stand-off with the union and initial reluctance to improve basic terms and conditions for cabin crew. The row was settled after 120 hours of negotations and the promise of a 4.6 per cent pay rise. Before the deal, the basic starting salary for cabin crew was £10,499 a year — the cost of three first-class returns between London and New York. Union leaders described the executive travel plan as “ unbelievable”. Ed Blissett, national officer at the GMB, said: “If this is right, it shows the management at BA are more interested in feathering their nests than offering low-paid workers a fair wage.”
The GMB is currently balloting 4,500 check-in staff and baggage handlers over a controversial pension shake-up at BA and has warned the airline that a strike is possible. The T&G declined to comment.
BA told The Times last night that the new policy has yet to be agreed by the executive committee of its main board, led by Willie Walsh, the chief executive. A spokeswoman added: “We have a business to run and there were many, many other issues to be discussed last week as well as industrial relations.”
The guidelines could still cause more problems for Mr Broughton, who joined the airline in 2004. Last November he was publicly embarrassed by Tony Blair after asking for the Prime Minister’s support over BA’s decision to refuse staff permission to wear a cross.
In front of stunned delegates at the CBI’s annual conference, Mr Blair told Mr Broughton: “Look, Martin, do you really want my frank advice on this? One of the things I learnt in politics is that there are some battles really, really worth fighting, and there are battles really, really not worth fighting.”
Mr Broughton and his fellow non-executives pocketed £3.1 million in pay and benefits last year. BA is likely to update the City on the likely cost of its talks with the T&G on Friday. Yesterday, the first day of the planned strike, BA reinstated all its Heathrow and Gatwick flights, but admitted that they were only a third full.
Steve Hawkes
# Deal will include wives and children
# Unions furious at 'nest feathering'
British Airways is planning to offer senior directors a lavish travel policy that guarantees them unlimited free first-class flights, The Times has learnt.
The final touches were being added to the scheme even as the company was locked in strike talks with unions over plans to alter their pay and conditions. Senior managers were asked to rubber-stamp a new policy allowing non-executives to “queue-jump” paying passengers and reserve free, first-class tickets to any destination in the world.
An internal e-mail seen by The Times reveals that the discussions were taking place last Wednesday — just as the airline was preparing to cancel 1,300 flights because of a potentially crippling strike by thousands of cabin crew — which was only averted by a last-minute deal with the Transport & General Workers’ Union two days ago.
Non-executive directors are currently given “high priority” for the most expensive seats, but can be bumped down if space fills up in the first-class cabin. The e-mail to Alan Buchanan, the company secretary, from the department dealing with internal “manager rewards”, reveals that the new guidelines would put them on the same first-come, first-served footing as any other “commercial” booking.
It suggests that the change has already been approved by BA’s £300,000-a-year chairman, Martin Broughton.
An airline spokeswoman denied last night that talks over the new policy followed confusion over a booking made by the BA chairman’s wife, Jocelyn Broughton, before a flight home from South America two weeks ago. “These proposals have been under discussion for months,” she said.
The e-mail — entitled “Non-Executive Director Travel” — spells out: “With immediate effect all BA Business and Personal travel will be on a commercial basis in premium cabins. Travel will be First (longhaul), with option to go into Club if F not available. If anyone volunteers to go in Club that’s fine.
“New arrangements will apply to the individual, spouse/partner and children under 18 years. Unlimited number of tickets per annum. Costs will be charged to the Chairman’s budget.”
The timing of the discussion is a major embarrassment to BA, given its stand-off with the union and initial reluctance to improve basic terms and conditions for cabin crew. The row was settled after 120 hours of negotations and the promise of a 4.6 per cent pay rise. Before the deal, the basic starting salary for cabin crew was £10,499 a year — the cost of three first-class returns between London and New York. Union leaders described the executive travel plan as “ unbelievable”. Ed Blissett, national officer at the GMB, said: “If this is right, it shows the management at BA are more interested in feathering their nests than offering low-paid workers a fair wage.”
The GMB is currently balloting 4,500 check-in staff and baggage handlers over a controversial pension shake-up at BA and has warned the airline that a strike is possible. The T&G declined to comment.
BA told The Times last night that the new policy has yet to be agreed by the executive committee of its main board, led by Willie Walsh, the chief executive. A spokeswoman added: “We have a business to run and there were many, many other issues to be discussed last week as well as industrial relations.”
The guidelines could still cause more problems for Mr Broughton, who joined the airline in 2004. Last November he was publicly embarrassed by Tony Blair after asking for the Prime Minister’s support over BA’s decision to refuse staff permission to wear a cross.
In front of stunned delegates at the CBI’s annual conference, Mr Blair told Mr Broughton: “Look, Martin, do you really want my frank advice on this? One of the things I learnt in politics is that there are some battles really, really worth fighting, and there are battles really, really not worth fighting.”
Mr Broughton and his fellow non-executives pocketed £3.1 million in pay and benefits last year. BA is likely to update the City on the likely cost of its talks with the T&G on Friday. Yesterday, the first day of the planned strike, BA reinstated all its Heathrow and Gatwick flights, but admitted that they were only a third full.
The Times
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I really don't see why the BA directors staff travel scheme warrants being on page 3 of The Times. That is their contract. If we all want 1st Class travel then best we get ourselves into management & become a director. We are not on equal benefit packages, I am sure that is the case in most companies. In fact, I am sure the directors of The Times are on different benefit packages to their reporters, sales staff, marketing and the list goes on. This is not news. I am on a different benefits package to my directors, big deal!