BA pilots vote to strike
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 158
Likes: 10
From: Farnborough Hants
I may be a bit out of step with the majority here, but what makes anyone think that they are entitled to an annual pay rise? I've spent most of my working life in UK manufacturing engineering and have lost count of how many years went by without a payrise. If your employer is not making enough money, how do they find more to increase the wages bill? Sure it is annoying when those at the top of the organisation award themselves pay increases or other benefits whilst those doing the actual work get zero, but that's life. Same as the best way out is to find another,better paid job but if you cannot, then so be it, you just have to accept a fall in your standard of living. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer but a strike won't change things.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,726
Likes: 103
From: The Winchester
Go and have a look at BA's annual reports for the last year or two.
Then tell me how much you would regard as being "enough" to increase the wages bill or perhaps provide a meaningful profit share for all staff.
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 11
From: EU
Good luck to all the BA pilots fighting for the rights!!
i have to say there are sooo many trolls on this tread. I wonder if someone has hired them.
arguing with trolls is like, try to learn blind people to see.
i have to say there are sooo many trolls on this tread. I wonder if someone has hired them.
arguing with trolls is like, try to learn blind people to see.
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Home Counties
The gap between the highest and the lowest paid in most UK organizations is the biggest its ever been. Only legal collective bargaining can change that.
BA is being fined more for failing to invest in its IT platform than the pilots total pay claim.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: England
Many here say that public support is irrelevant. Public support will be zero. Public opposition will be huge.
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Centre of Universe
I'd venture to say most Nigel's aren't really bothered about the % as most of it will go to the taxman. Its down to respect and being acknowledged.
Can someone tell me the last time Aircrew went on strike in the UK?
To get to this stage is pretty bad - a sign of the times
Can someone tell me the last time Aircrew went on strike in the UK?
To get to this stage is pretty bad - a sign of the times
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 359
Likes: 221
From: Yorkshire
Not quite true as BA sell you "M&S sandwiches", but then EasyJet have a bigger range of UK airports to fly from. As a passenger in 'the regions' I see no need to use BA short-haul. A Dutch airline does quite well for me and they give me a free sandwich and drink.
You guys are probably correct, why bother about public opinion.
Last edited by NoelEvans; 23rd July 2019 at 18:13. Reason: Typo
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 241
Likes: 47
From: Runcorn,Cheshire,England
I may be a bit out of step with the majority here, but what makes anyone think that they are entitled to an annual pay rise? I've spent most of my working life in UK manufacturing engineering and have lost count of how many years went by without a payrise. If your employer is not making enough money, how do they find more to increase the wages bill? Sure it is annoying when those at the top of the organisation award themselves pay increases or other benefits whilst those doing the actual work get zero, but that's life. Same as the best way out is to find another,better paid job but if you cannot, then so be it, you just have to accept a fall in your standard of living. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer but a strike won't change things.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: UK, Paris, Peckham, New York
Well done lads. Backing you all the way here.
i dont give 2 hoots what the public or press say.
the press I understand their anti union stance from way back when with the printers strikes, but its amazing too see the public say things like “well i dont get a pay rise so why should you!”
if that person that said that, had a relative or friend that got a rise, they would say well done! But they cannot see how they have been conditioned to be against anyone getting a rise, thereby helping the shareholders drive every wage down.
It would appear the balpa nec has got some metal now, hope we go the way of the RMT!
i dont give 2 hoots what the public or press say.
the press I understand their anti union stance from way back when with the printers strikes, but its amazing too see the public say things like “well i dont get a pay rise so why should you!”
if that person that said that, had a relative or friend that got a rise, they would say well done! But they cannot see how they have been conditioned to be against anyone getting a rise, thereby helping the shareholders drive every wage down.
It would appear the balpa nec has got some metal now, hope we go the way of the RMT!
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 35
From: Vietnam
Can someone please explain to me what the impending strike is about?
Is the rise on offer not inline with inflation?
Have you been on a pay freeze and this is too little too late?
Have management been giving themselves and other departments huge payrises but neglecting pilots?
Is the rise on offer not inline with inflation?
Have you been on a pay freeze and this is too little too late?
Have management been giving themselves and other departments huge payrises but neglecting pilots?
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 13
From: UK
This when the loss was only a couple of hundred million.
So by your rules Paul the pilots should be asking for around... shall we say 50%?
Last edited by Right Engine; 23rd July 2019 at 20:42.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Uk
pilotchute, I only speak for myself but for me it’s not % or money. Yes I want to see the value of my contract preserved if not improved but it’s about having a life for me. Rostering, workload, duty credit, EASA FTL’s. Rostering minimum rest at home and 6 day blocks followed by only 2 days off. Ops knowingly ignoring agreements in the hope you don’t challenge them. I don’t want more money, I want more time and if I can have more time then i’ll take money to buy myself some time.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
When I was checking in for a BA short-haul flight some time ago I heard this comment from a fellow passenger in the queue: "BA short-haul is now just EasyJet where the pilots wear caps".
Not quite true as BA sell you "M&S sandwiches", but then EasyJet have a bigger range of UK airports to fly from. As a passenger in 'the regions' I see no need to use BA short-haul. A Dutch airline does quite well for me and they give me a free sandwich and drink.
You guys are probably correct, why bother about public opinion.
Not quite true as BA sell you "M&S sandwiches", but then EasyJet have a bigger range of UK airports to fly from. As a passenger in 'the regions' I see no need to use BA short-haul. A Dutch airline does quite well for me and they give me a free sandwich and drink.
You guys are probably correct, why bother about public opinion.
Also, you might find that the average earnings of an EZY Captain far exceed those of their BA equivalents.
Which goes some way to explaining the dissatisfaction amongst the BA pilot workforce...
Joined: Apr 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,640
Likes: 301
From: In front of a computer
pilotchute
This has been building for over 20 years. In my time at BA we have been constantly told that below inflation pay deals and increases in work rate were essential to "save the company"....
At a regional base I was even offered a pay cut. Alongside all of this a continual cutting of terms and conditions and benefits down to ridiculous minutiae.
As my esteemed colleague Wiggy points out - the company has now been "saved" and billion pound profits are in (and forecast)....
It's payback time.
Can someone please explain to me what the impending strike is about?
At a regional base I was even offered a pay cut. Alongside all of this a continual cutting of terms and conditions and benefits down to ridiculous minutiae.
As my esteemed colleague Wiggy points out - the company has now been "saved" and billion pound profits are in (and forecast)....
It's payback time.
BA
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: West Anglia
The 'public support' line always amazes me. The last time I checked, Tube drivers didn't have huge public support but seemed to do okay with their industrial action. We're employees of a large airline making record profits whilst giving a highly average management massive bonuses on the back of a decade of reductions to our Ts&Cs; why do we need the support of the public to sort out our industrial dispute? It boggles my mind the amount of my colleagues that take that red herring seriously.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 32
From: France
The public have a pretty short memory about most strikes.
Ok, we all remember the “Green Goddesses” but does anyone hold any grudges against the Fire Service? BA cabin crew went on strike a few years back but passengers seem to enjoy their service (and also enjoy complaining about it to me at dinner parties!)
While I’m acutely conscious that ‘the public’ pay my wages, I’m not overly concerned about their perception of the rights or wrongs of this strike, if indeed it happens. I don’t expect any sympathy but the more enlightened amongst them will recognise that there must be good reasons for us to have got to this point. BALPA press releases can go a long way to educate people about the historical background and economic realities behind the BA pilots’ frustrations.
Ok, we all remember the “Green Goddesses” but does anyone hold any grudges against the Fire Service? BA cabin crew went on strike a few years back but passengers seem to enjoy their service (and also enjoy complaining about it to me at dinner parties!)
While I’m acutely conscious that ‘the public’ pay my wages, I’m not overly concerned about their perception of the rights or wrongs of this strike, if indeed it happens. I don’t expect any sympathy but the more enlightened amongst them will recognise that there must be good reasons for us to have got to this point. BALPA press releases can go a long way to educate people about the historical background and economic realities behind the BA pilots’ frustrations.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: UK, Paris, Peckham, New York
Out of interest, i hear it can be 3-5yrs short haul command, what would the total gross be of a skipper short haul with such seniority?
i hope we are turning a corner with balpa, strike at ba, ballot at ryr, it appears finally they are getting some balls!
i hope we are turning a corner with balpa, strike at ba, ballot at ryr, it appears finally they are getting some balls!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 724
Likes: 24
From: UK
i hope we are turning a corner with balpa, strike at ba, ballot at ryr, it appears finally they are getting some balls!
Balpa is just an association you can join. It’s the members that dictate where the association goes.
Blaming Balpa “the association” for anything is a bit like blaming the autopilot for flying into a hill. Ultimately, maintaining the sustainability of a flying career for all current and future airline pilots is our responsibility as a collective. Balpa is just a vehicle.