Why?

Because sadly we live in an era of corporate greed. ‘Spare’ crew simply increase the wage bill and cost base.

We are talking flight safety here, in a never seen before situation. Maybe it comes only second to cost cutting at your airline...

Please can you enlighten on the flight safety issue ? I would not operate a flight if I thought there was any (whatsoever) compromise to safety.

I think GS-Alpha is trying to point out that for some airlines at least, it costs nothing extra to have a pilot actually commit aviation, because they are paying them for (many) more hours than the pilots are actually flying

Maybe it’s just a sensible way of keeping within the 90 day currency rule.

I would also like enlightening. If it is a question of the equipment - aircraft can be grounded longer for D checks; yes there will be the odd defect, but if the aircraft has been maintained / stored per the manual I cannot see too much issue. I was sceptical of how Ryanair were managing their equipment by doing circuits every few days - I can now see the sense of currency and keeping the machine out of the storage programme.

Fact Check
 

I picked this up on LinkedIn, is this factually correct?

" I picked this up on LinkedIn, is this factually correct?"


I rather suspect it doesn't tell the full story. FWIW over the last 24 hours I've had several e-mails linking to Facebook etc which have led to a few of these posts..it's nice to suddenly be popular but even I have my limits..:oh:

The only difference between any of the posts has been the number of years "loyal service"...I've also seen exactly see the same post on at least one other social media site..

It looks like it's crafted to sound as if it has been written by the individual who has posted it but in reality all the messages seem to all have a common origin..UNITE or BASSA by any chance?

BASSA/UNITE have a problem as only 40-50% of cabin crew numbers are members

It’s sad for their members that it would appear they haven’t learnt any lessons but then Len loves a ‘good industrial dispute’. They could still salvage something perhaps but they need to talk and introduce just a little bit of realism. But this is the same union that refused to
operate legal flights in the snow when the pax (who they now claim they are all about) were stranded at the other end of the country.

Yes, this is factually correct. I have been with the company for 30 years, and the new "Corona fleet" contract would mean a 65% pay cut for me. Combined with massive changes in t&c's.

Like so much of the propoganda from UNITE it is not entirely factually correct.

It says that all BA employees are facing redundancy notices and being offered new contracts. That is correct for some departments. As an example the pilots, while facing difficult negotiations are not being threatened with redundancy and new contracts.

There was a letter sent to the various BA unions. Much of each letter was identical but the part threatening redundancy and re-employment on new contracts should negotiations fail was not universal.

UNITE's tactics are, as usual, blunt and ineffective. Without question BA is taking advantage of the crisis to achieve industrial aims but whatever your views negotiation is the way forward. UNITE's tactics are reminiscent of the disastrously conducted cabin crew strike in 2010.

Yes, you are right. Sorry. Pilots and engineers are not included in the mass redundancy. Just cabin crew, contact centres, ground staff and head office (although there are probably a few people in there exempt from it)
Be interesting to see what happens around 13 June

Cardiff engineers are certainly included in mass redundancies and severe contract changes. As are global ops in waterside. I believe it is only flight crew who not affected. Through not fault of their own I must add! Flight crew are the only department not affected by furlough. This is why only BALPA are talking to management. 23,000 other staff were furloughed. They found out via the media that they were to be made redundant and possibly allowed to reapply for their jobs on lesser terms. The various reps were also furloughed. Unite meetings which have taken place with management have only achieved intransigence in the company starting point. They will not engage in negotiating their proposal.

LHR engineers are all under threat of redundancy with reduction in pay snd conditions for those who remain employed. BA was already having trouble recruiting suitably qualified engineers, after this they will have no hope.

I doubt that there will be any shortage of engineers looking for work, any work, for quite a time.

Out of interest, are you a WW cabin crew member Chijmes (as opposed to MF or LGW?), as that may explain the massive drop in pay and conditions? Very tough situation, sorry to hear.

Just a start...9bn to LH - Gov stake
 

Just a start...9bn to LH - Gov stake
...more Govs to follow.

Surely UK employment law would suggest redundancy and almost immediate rehiring in the same role (on a new contract) would not actually be redundancy? I would have thought this would have fallen under unfair dismissal realms.

What is it that Unite are actually aiming for, by not going to the table and negotiating? Surely they don’t for a second believe that BA will just drop it? It feels like they’re just letting crew down, (mostly legacy crew but also MF as well to an extent) and at the end of the 45 day period, BA will do what they want anyway?