IAG: BA restructuring may cost 12,000 jobs

[The Blu Riband]

Originally Posted by vikdream

I find it disgusting that a very big number of posters are attacking other IAG airlines in order to defend BA.

mmmm You choose to disregard the fact that BA has restructured continuously since 9/11; earlier if you include the regions.

Make no mistake --- BA pilots are already on very competitive contracts. eg few, if any, Virgin/KLM/AF/SWISS etc pilots transfer to BA. Yes, most new joiners are from LCCs, but even so the benefits are very marginal.

The post you quoted rightly pointed out that BA makes twice the profit of ALL the other IAG airlines combined - and that they have taken bailouts/loans, and not announced redundancies! Nothing unreasonable or nonfactual.

[ILS27LEFT]

Motion

Following has been signed by 47 MP’s.

https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-...fLP2N86iZwSc74

[premiere]

Not one them a conservative MP....!!!!!

[anson harris]

Originally Posted by premiere

Not one them a conservative MP....!!!!!

Are you actually surprised?

[ILS27LEFT]

..and another motion of today...

https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-...s-redundancies

"Tabled 04 May 2020
2019-21 Session
That this House notes with concern that British Airways has made 12,000 staff redundant; thanks these workers for their heroic efforts in repatriating those stranded due to covid-19 at their own risk; offers solidarity to these workers that find themselves needlessly out of a job in the middle of a global pandemic; is disappointed that British Airways chose to take the decision to reject Government support and announce it on International Workers’ Memorial Day; emphasises that, as an island, aviation is essential to the UK for trade, business and managing social and family networks; looks to the governments of our European neighbours who are taking action to protect their aviation industries; urges the Government to provide fully-repayable loans and take a financial stake in aviation companies; asks aviation companies to cap all elements of executive pay, protect employee terms and conditions and transition to greener, more efficient travel operations once flights resume; and calls on the Government to publicly finance smaller airports, air traffic control and specific routes within the UK aviation network to retain much-needed vital connectivity."

[ILS27LEFT]

...and some more motions...

EDM #428
Share
Tabled 04 May 2020
2019-21 Session


That this House recognises that the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has enabled it to work with businesses and trade unions to protect the economy and avoid mass redundancies; appreciates the role aviation workers have played in operating flights, repatriating citizens and delivering essential medical and personal protective equipment supplies; considers it deplorable that whilst IAG is taking UK tax payers’ money, as well as using Spanish government guaranteed loans to purchase an additional airline for the group at a cost of €1.2 Billion, it is serving notice of redundancies to UK employees with British Airways having announced its intention of implementing 12,000 redundancies and is introducing inferior contracts for all employees; believes that it is immoral that British Airways is utilising public funds, designed to protect jobs, while simultaneously seeking mass redundancies in haste, given also that furloughed British Airways workers are unable to engage in consultation relating to these redundancies and that British Airways has access to £3 billion cash reserve and IAG credit line equivalents of €10.7 billion; and demands that British Airways halts its opportunistic redundancy and restructuring and engages constructively with unions and Government to positively plan for a just and sustainable future based upon a tripartite approach to ensuring UK connectivity and the aviation industry is maintained for the benefit of all and not just one company.
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-...ritish-airways


British Airways job losses
EDM #418
Share
Tabled 30 April 2020
2019-21 Session
That this Parliament calls on British Airways and other airlines to not use the covid-19 outbreak as an opportunity to reduce jobs and employees' terms and conditions; asks them instead to explore all the funding options available to maintain the sustainability of jobs as part of an overall plan for business recovery once the current public health crisis is brought under control; calls on them to work with the Government to extend the duration of the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme as a way of avoiding mass redundancies; and calls on the Government to accede to such a request.
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-...ays-job-losses

[vlieger]

So, even though many people don't like to "talk politics", surely these EDMs prove that this whole thing is very political? Not a single Tory voted for them, so BA employees may want to keep this in mind.

BALPA is facing the battle of a lifetime in the coming weeks and months. The pressure is on them to negotiate some kind of deal that can soften the hammer blow. But their bargaining position is extremely weak. And with all planes grounded by the pandemic, a strike is ruled out.

As a result, absolute unity is of paramount importance. The war can only be won by sticking together. Pilots, cabin crew, engineering and back office staff are all waging the same battle. Linking up with colleagues in other airlines is also another way to encourage solidarity, and to maximise public and political support.

But these things, crucial as they are, won’t be enough. The only real way forward is to cast aside any parochial or short-term trade union perspective, and to understand that this struggle is very much a political question.

https://www.socialist.net/british-ai...es-are-out.htm
​​​​​​

[EastofKoksy]

Originally Posted by Douglas Bahada

All does not seem well at one of the other large multinationals.

PARIS/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Air France-KLM’s (AIRF.PA) French unions on Monday criticised calls by their Dutch counterparts for KLM to be given greater autonomy, amid signs that a multibillion-euro coronavirus bailout is increasing tensions within the airline group.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-ai...-idUKKBN22G2Q1

Not surprised at this reaction. The alliance always looked like a marriage made in Hell. The two companies and their host countries have very different cultures.

[Bridchen]

May be worth putting points of view on the comments section of this article.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...-grilling-mps/

[CaptainCriticalAngle]

In this Simon Calder piece for The Independent, he suggests IAG/BA wants to cut some pilot salaries by 70%. Surely this is scaremongering by IAG, so that, when they cut them by say 40%, it won't seem so bad.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-a9498766.html

[ILS27LEFT]

11 May: live on BBC Parliament

Tomorrow and then 11 May:
"On Wednesday, the Transport Select Committee will hear evidence on the impact of coronavirus on UK aviation. British Airways was invited to attend, but declined.The chair of the committee, Huw Merriman MP, said: “It seems remarkable that British Airways cannot find anyone with sufficient responsibility to join others from the aviation sector for our select committee inquiry this Wednesday.

“With so many questions, this would be an ideal platform for BA to set out its challenges, to reassure and seek parliamentary support should it need more assistance from the UK authorities.”

The committee now expects to take evidence from Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA’s parent company, IAG, on 11 May.

The Independent has asked British Airways for a response."

[Tommy Gavin]

Even though I have nothing to do with BALPA and my job isn't on the line (for now) , it is important for every pilot in Europe that BA (but also AF/LH/KLM...) come to an agreement that once the planes are flying again you will be employed on acceptable T&C's. Guess what MOL / Wizz and the likes will offer if even the flag carriers are (further) lowering there standards.

The Lufty pilots have given an excellent statement by offering part time work across the board as long as this crisis last. They also did this before any redundancies were announced. Smart move IMHO.

[ILS27LEFT]

Many options

Originally Posted by Tommy Gavin

Even though I have nothing to do with BALPA and my job isn't on the line (for now) , it is important for every pilot in Europe that BA (but also AF/LH/KLM...) come to an agreement that once the planes are flying again you will be employed on acceptable T&C's. Guess what MOL / Wizz and the likes will offer if even the flag carriers are (further) lowering there standards.

The Lufty pilots have given an excellent statement by offering part time work across the board as long as this crisis last. They also did this before any redundancies were announced. Smart move IMHO.

Plenty of options available indeed from "part time work across the board " to unpaid leave for 6-12 months (when/if furlough ends) and much more.
Top priority must be to save jobs now - once the crisis has ended the options will change as status of aviation will be much clearer.

Meanwhile in Australia:“The Government’s support of the aviation industry by underwriting some essential flying, and the support to the broader economy through JobKeeper, have been greatly appreciated. Public health initiatives like the COVIDSafe app are one of the ways we’ll be able to start travelling sooner, so we strongly encourage all Australians to download it.

“I want to recognise our people for their continued support and understanding in the face of this crisis. In particular, those who’ve helped bring Australians home from overseas and kept an essential domestic and regional network running, carrying on what the national carrier has done for 100 years.”

[The Foss]

Originally Posted by CaptainCriticalAngle

In this Simon Calder piece for The Independent, he suggests IAG/BA wants to cut some pilot salaries by 70%. Surely this is scaremongering by IAG, so that, when they cut them by say 40%, it won't seem so bad.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-a9498766.html

That’s not what the article says.

It’s referring to a BALPA letter which says that some pilots are currently on 70% less pay than usual, no airline specified. Possibly those On furlough?

[John4321]

I fear this may only be the start of the problems.

Being permitted and safe to fly is one thing, having the money to buy the tickets is another. There’s a lot of customers dying and many of those who survive will be a whole lot poorer.

On the positive side, Heathrow probably won’t need a third runway for some time.

Stay safe everyone. That is the only priority right now.

J

[guy_incognito]

There’s a lot of customers dying and many of those who survive will be a whole lot poorer.

So far even if we assume that the official figures underestimate the real death toll, far less that 0.1% of the UK population has died with (not of) Covid-19. Similar in the USA. The numbers in absolute terms seem big but are actually incredibly small.

[Pantrash111]

Originally Posted by guy_incognito

So far even if we assume that the official figures underestimate the real death toll, far less that 0.1% of the UK population has died with (not of) Covid-19. Similar in the USA. The numbers in absolute terms seem big but are actually incredibly small.

Exactly. It seems to me that aviation is rapidly becoming the sector that is coming out worst in the whole situation. I’d imagine a good proportion of people will have jobs to go back to when the lockdown is lifted. Once again when the music stops we will all be looking around wondering what happened to all the chairs 🤦‍♂️

[SADDLER]

Originally Posted by guy_incognito

So far even if we assume that the official figures underestimate the real death toll, far less that 0.1% of the UK population has died with (not of) Covid-19. Similar in the USA. The numbers in absolute terms seem big but are actually incredibly small.

I agree.
This thing needs perspective.

[ILS27LEFT]

The Transport Committee intends to hold an evidence session with Willie Walsh

"05 May 2020

The Transport Committee intends to hold an evidence session with Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of the International Airlines Group and parent company of British Airways, on Monday, 11 May.

• Read updated information on May 6 session-Implications of coronavirus (Covid-19) for the aviation sector examined
• Inquiry: Impact of Coronavirus on UK Transport: Aviation
• Transport Committee

On 24th April, the Transport Select Committee agreed to hold an inquiry on the Aviation sector amidst the challenges from Covid19.

The first evidence session on May 6 will comprise separate panels covering consumer rights, airport operators and representatives from the airline industry. As the UK’s largest airline, British Airways (BA) was invited to give evidence and face questioning.

BA refused to attend explaining that Willie Walsh, the Chief Executive of its parent, International Airlines Group (AIG), would be unavailable due to a board meeting. It was made clear that no other representative would be made available.

Subsequent to this response:

• IAG announced plans to make 12,000 of BA’s 42,000 workforce redundant and vary the terms and conditions of BA staff who retain their jobs;
• IAG took out a EUR1 billion loan, guaranteed by the Spanish Government (having previously stated that it would administer ‘self-help’ before applying for Government aid and being critical of competitors who had requested state-assistance); and
• An investigation has estimated that airlines, including BA, are sitting on £7 billion of passenger refunds and offering future travel vouchers rather than returning the cash as consumer rights require.

As a result of these developments, the Transport Select Committee reiterated that BA should attend the inquiry on 6 May. The Committee were understanding of Mr Walsh’s duties in the boardroom and explained that any alternative senior manager of BA or IAG would be welcomed. BA responded that all senior managers may also be needed to attend the boardroom during the allotted slot. BA thereby refused to attend the evidence session on 6 May, as has been reported in media.

Today, Mr Walsh has offered additional dates in order to give evidence to the inquiry. Although parliamentary resources are more restricted than usual, a provisional evidence session has become available on 11 May. More details will be announced in due course.

Chair's comments

Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman MP, said:

“It seems remarkable that British Airways cannot find anyone with sufficient responsibility to join others from the aviation sector for our Select Committee inquiry this Wednesday. With so many questions, this would be an ideal platform for BA to set out its challenges, to reassure and seek Parliamentary support should it need more assistance from the UK authorities.

“In March, BA’s parent, IAG, warned against the UK Government bailing out its competitors and said it would administer ‘self-help’ before seeking support. BA’s UK staff are now facing mass redundancies or working on vastly reduced terms. BA’s passengers are not being given flight refunds they are entitled to.

“In Spain, it would appear that BA’s parent has adopted a different strategy of seeking substantial Government financial support and maintaining its operations and employee numbers.

“It’s vital that BA reassure their staff and passengers that they are not using this epidemic to reduce their UK wage bill and competitors, in order to maximise future profits if and when the market returns.

“Judging by the huge volume of emails which MPs are receiving from concerned staff and passengers, it is more important that we hear from BA and IAG than demonstrate their lack of delegated responsibility. We therefore intend to proceed with a separate session for British Airways and Mr Walsh on Monday 11 May in the event the limited resources in Parliament can accommodate. We look forward to meeting Mr Walsh and hearing his strategy for BA in these challenging times.”

The Committee is scheduled to hold a third session on 20 May with representatives from trade unions and the Aviation Minister."

[Tartiflette Fan]

Originally Posted by guy_incognito

So far even if we assume that the official figures underestimate the real death toll, far less that 0.1% of the UK population has died with (not of) Covid-19. Similar in the USA. The numbers in absolute terms seem big but are actually incredibly small.

That seems to me to be a fairly stupid comment. It refers to the total population , whereas the leathality for people exposed ( which I don't know ) is likely to be much, much higher ;

How do you feel if it drops from 1/1000 to 1/100 ?