BA/bmi merger (was Virgin & Balpa - bmi next ?)
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In support of the BPAG BALPA has;
1. Engaged a top legal firm to pressure test the decisions of the Regulator.
2. Held a meeting with the Regulator. We are not at liberty to divulge the contents of that meeting, yet.
3. Written to Lufthansa who has expressed surprise that their proposed agreement was rejected by the UK Authorities; but have done nothing to improve the position so as to address the Regulator’s concerns.
4. Written to the Pension Minister seeking a meeting (click). He has not taken up the offer arguing it is for the Regulator to act (click)
5. Written to the Dame Anne Begg who chairs the Work and Pensions Select Committee. Dame Anne has said she will raise the matter with Bill Galvin (the Regulator) and Alan Rubenstein (CEO of the PPF)
6. Sought support from the TUC to make the current plight of bmi employees and pensioners a priority and to highlight the way this could affect all pension funds.
7. Written to BA who have bought bmi, but have managed to side-step its pension liability.
8. Engaged actuarial support to advise on the £84 million “top up” proposed by Lufthansa, which is wholly inadequate
1. Engaged a top legal firm to pressure test the decisions of the Regulator.
2. Held a meeting with the Regulator. We are not at liberty to divulge the contents of that meeting, yet.
3. Written to Lufthansa who has expressed surprise that their proposed agreement was rejected by the UK Authorities; but have done nothing to improve the position so as to address the Regulator’s concerns.
4. Written to the Pension Minister seeking a meeting (click). He has not taken up the offer arguing it is for the Regulator to act (click)
5. Written to the Dame Anne Begg who chairs the Work and Pensions Select Committee. Dame Anne has said she will raise the matter with Bill Galvin (the Regulator) and Alan Rubenstein (CEO of the PPF)
6. Sought support from the TUC to make the current plight of bmi employees and pensioners a priority and to highlight the way this could affect all pension funds.
7. Written to BA who have bought bmi, but have managed to side-step its pension liability.
8. Engaged actuarial support to advise on the £84 million “top up” proposed by Lufthansa, which is wholly inadequate
Why on earth it wasn't doing many of these actions beforehand and jumping up and down about it then is beyond me.
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What you can do
What you can do
(WriteToThem - Email or fax your Councillor, MP, MEP, MSP or Welsh, NI, London Assembly Member for free)
A Draft Letter to MP on bmi pensions can be found here.
BALPA | Documents
BALPA is organising a lobby of parliament on 27th June. If you would like to be part of it, please write to your MP seeking a meeting between 9 and 4 on 27th.
A Draft Letter to MP on bmi pensions can be found here.
BALPA | Documents
Last edited by MaxRange120; 13th Jun 2012 at 13:21.
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For a pensions minister Steve Webb has been absolutely useless. He sidesteps answering any questions on pensions even from his good mate Vince Cable.
Both the Conservatives and lib dems promised to protect accrued pensions at the last election.
You know who not to vote for next time.
Both the Conservatives and lib dems promised to protect accrued pensions at the last election.
You know who not to vote for next time.
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Pensions Minister Steve Webb is of no use whatsoever, in my recent experience.
My MP is being very helpful. Have you written to yours?
They are unlikely to help if you don't write to them, you know. 
The BALPA initiatives are commendable. They deserve our full support. Be warned, though - they won't keep attacking on your behalf without your continued support.
As for future elections, Labour's Brown taxed private pensions out of future existence, the Conservatives didn't reverse that and Steve Webb and Vince Cable are Lib Dems.
UKIP? 'Nigel Farage' is worth a search of YouTube if you aren't familiar with the UKIP leader's views (or style).
My MP is being very helpful. Have you written to yours?
They are unlikely to help if you don't write to them, you know. The BALPA initiatives are commendable. They deserve our full support. Be warned, though - they won't keep attacking on your behalf without your continued support.
As for future elections, Labour's Brown taxed private pensions out of future existence, the Conservatives didn't reverse that and Steve Webb and Vince Cable are Lib Dems.
UKIP? 'Nigel Farage' is worth a search of YouTube if you aren't familiar with the UKIP leader's views (or style).
Uncle Pete
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The letter from the Minister of State for Pensions, in a letter dated 8th May 2012 to one of our local MPs, states:-
"My understanding is that negotiations are ongoing and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time."
What negotiations??
The sale was completed eighteen days before the date of this letter.
Negotiations,who with?? BA? No LH? No MB? No TPR? No Pension Trustees? No
By Definition from the Collins English Dictionary negotiate means:-
Discuss with view to mutual settlement, arrange by conference
The deal had been done, possibly with his knowledge, and he's keeping away from something with far reaching consequences that could affect his career.
Bit like a real politician!!
"My understanding is that negotiations are ongoing and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time."
What negotiations??
The sale was completed eighteen days before the date of this letter.
Negotiations,who with?? BA? No LH? No MB? No TPR? No Pension Trustees? No
By Definition from the Collins English Dictionary negotiate means:-
Discuss with view to mutual settlement, arrange by conference
The deal had been done, possibly with his knowledge, and he's keeping away from something with far reaching consequences that could affect his career.
Bit like a real politician!!
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What next
As has already been mentioned here.
BALPA is organising a lobby of parliament on 27th June. I do feel that this may be the best option to raise the BPAG profile within the U.K.
BALPA were appearing before the Commons Northern Ireland Select Committee yesterday,where the pensions issue was also highlighted
Belfast should not have two airports, pilots tell MPs - Northern Ireland, Local & National - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Our focus is on exploring all legal avenues and on keeping this high on the agenda of Lufthansa, the Regulator and Politicians, on making ourselves a thorn in their sides. We, certainly, have no plans to retire and walk away.
The BALPA initiatives are commendable. They deserve our full support. Be warned, though - they won't keep attacking on your behalf without your continued support.
BALPA were appearing before the Commons Northern Ireland Select Committee yesterday,where the pensions issue was also highlighted
Meanwhile, concerns were raised about the acquisition of BMI by British Airways, which has triggered fears that shorthaul services to Northern Ireland could be cut back.
The Consumer Council said IAG, BA’s parent company, had not provided it with an assurance that provision would not be reduced, “despite repeated requests”.
In its submissions to the committee, BAPA said that pilots’ pensions had been hit “dramatically” by the takeover.
The union gave the example of a pilot who had worked for BMI for 24 years and had seen a £43,000 pension reduced to £25,000.
The committee is looking at Northern Ireland’s air links in light of the Government’s Civil Aviation Bill, which will change the way the industry is regulated.
It is also examining the BMI takeover and the wider issues around NI’s connections, including whether it would benefit from a third runway at Heathrow.
The Consumer Council said IAG, BA’s parent company, had not provided it with an assurance that provision would not be reduced, “despite repeated requests”.
In its submissions to the committee, BAPA said that pilots’ pensions had been hit “dramatically” by the takeover.
The union gave the example of a pilot who had worked for BMI for 24 years and had seen a £43,000 pension reduced to £25,000.
The committee is looking at Northern Ireland’s air links in light of the Government’s Civil Aviation Bill, which will change the way the industry is regulated.
It is also examining the BMI takeover and the wider issues around NI’s connections, including whether it would benefit from a third runway at Heathrow.
Belfast should not have two airports, pilots tell MPs - Northern Ireland, Local & National - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Last edited by Jetdriver; 26th Jun 2012 at 21:29.
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It doesn't appear to be going down well in BA BALPA but everyone is impressed with the BMI negotiating team. What's the word at BMI?
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Would you please explain exactly what you mean by this.
Just guessing!!!
Last edited by 4468; 22nd Jun 2012 at 22:52.
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4468 - that just about sums it up.
The comment about the BMI negotiating team is a positive one. BA BALPA has spent the last few years being very understanding to the plight of our managers, whilst promising jam tomorrow. Nice to see the BMI CC standing up for it's members.
The comment about the BMI negotiating team is a positive one. BA BALPA has spent the last few years being very understanding to the plight of our managers, whilst promising jam tomorrow. Nice to see the BMI CC standing up for it's members.
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The threat of an external BA Express has been avoided for now - IAG can still set it up whenever they like. Anyway, we're now dealing with more concessions to get rid of the threat of an internal BA Express ie. the bubble (something that was foreseen but not advertised by the BA CC last year).
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Hot Wings, you seem to have an axe to grind!
It may just be that the BACC and the BMICC have come up with a proposal which does enough to satisfy the majority in both camps.......but there will always be those who will never be satisfied!
It may just be that the BACC and the BMICC have come up with a proposal which does enough to satisfy the majority in both camps.......but there will always be those who will never be satisfied!
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Complex, that's what it is.
Good luck to whoever feels the need to post the details here. I honestly don't have the energy (to post, or to argue the toss with people who are not connected and will never be able to grasp the principles).
Sorry.
Good luck to whoever feels the need to post the details here. I honestly don't have the energy (to post, or to argue the toss with people who are not connected and will never be able to grasp the principles).
Sorry.
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I honestly don't have the energy (to post, or to argue the toss with people who are not connected and will never be able to grasp the principles).
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Studi Quotes;
"Is that the same BA CC that supposedly is very good at dealing with the company by giving away slice after slice without any longterm outlook?"
"Did the BMI CC really play all you BA longtime FO's so much to the wall that you guys are embarrassed to talk about it?
This wasn't the case when it was about putting up martial rhetorics against BMI pilots who argued for a fair treatment."
You really do like stirring eh???
"Is that the same BA CC that supposedly is very good at dealing with the company by giving away slice after slice without any longterm outlook?"
"Did the BMI CC really play all you BA longtime FO's so much to the wall that you guys are embarrassed to talk about it?
This wasn't the case when it was about putting up martial rhetorics against BMI pilots who argued for a fair treatment."
You really do like stirring eh???
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Well he's got to do something now that Lufthansas solidarity has just seen a big chunk of their short haul flying handed over to Germanwings on lower T&Cs! At least we're keeping ours in house!
Last edited by Hand Solo; 29th Jun 2012 at 15:55.
Results of the compromise agreement take-up are in. Only a handful - less than 20 - have not signed with nearly 300 moving over to BA terms.
Well done guys - with unknown battles to be fought in the future I'm sure we are better working together.
Welcome to BA.
Well done guys - with unknown battles to be fought in the future I'm sure we are better working together.
Welcome to BA.