Zeke From Hong Kong, joined Dec 2006, 7719 posts, RR: 73 Posted (6 years 5 months 19 hours ago) and read 15495 times:
Received this from BA crew, please don't shoot the messenger, just sharing.
Quote: British Airways Cabin Crew are set to vote overwhelmingly for strike action. This could take place anytime from the end of January through to the end of March. To you our customers we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience you may be caused during this time.
Negotiations between our Trade Union -- Bassa and BA management have broken down and last Friday, the 15th December, BA management escorted our representatives off the premises and closed the Bassa office. We are now being balloted for Industrial Action. This ballot will close on 12th January.
British Airways Cabin Crew would like it to be known that they absolutely do not want to withdraw their labour. As Cabin Crew it is our job to look after the travelling public, conveying each and every one of you as safely and as comfortably as we possibly can from A to B. This we do with great pride.
We love what we do, pride ourselves on giving you value for money, a quality service and on many occasions go out of our way to ensure you enjoy your flight and will want to fly with us again. In exceptional circumstances we may have to evacuate you from an aircraft -- as our crew in Houston did when an engine caught fire. We may have to perform life saving CPR and defibrillation, perform maternity duties along with restraining unruly passengers. Needless to say, we are trained and prepared for every eventuality and we conduct these in a thoroughly professional manner, always.
Obviously there are occasions when circumstances conspire against us, both for you the public and us as your crew, but it is often these very circumstances when our passengers appreciate most that they are with a British Airways Cabin Crew. This is borne out by us constantly exceeding every 'Customer Service' target British Airways have ever set for us and also the clutch of industry awards we win every year - including this year where thanks to our hard work and the votes of you our customers, we walked away with the Best Cabin Crew award.
However, things are not all rosy with the current management of British Airways. Historically, we have always had a proper business relationship with our management. As with any commercial environment or business scenario, there has to be an appropriate level of give and take on both sides in order for anything to work. However, our new management team wish to make a lot of changes.
They have approached these changes by not informing us, their staff, of their intentions. The only communications we have received regarding 'changes' have been through our Trade Union. British Airways management are refusing to negotiate with our Trade Union Representatives, declaring their intention to introduce the changes without discussion and openly stating that "we will walk right through you". Whilst refusing to negotiate on the planned changes (which in real terms mean cutbacks), our representatives were informed by BA management that they plan to bring in an hourly rate for cabin crew, rather than the allowances we are paid at present which are linked to the cost of living for the destinations in which we stay. This, in simplified terms means a serious pay cut of around £6,000 per year for most crew. They then added that they intend to 'save' a further £37 million pounds from our department -- 'In-flight Services'. We have already been 'cut to the bone' -- there really is very little left. When the company was on shaky ground a few years ago we agreed to no pay increases for a number of years to help it back on its feet. We have given and given, whilst the company have taken - and taken more.
The changes BA management want to make are both to our working agreements and to our employment contracts, including but not limited to increasing our working contract by 10 years in order for us to see our pension, cuts in pay, no pay increases at all after a certain time, cuts in promotion opportunities, less rest between flights, removal of working position choice and BA ignoring the wording of their own sickness policy when applying it to Cabin Crew. This certainly has health and safety implications.
As an example of our new sickness policy (EG300)-- A world wide crew member who has lived all her life on the south coast towards Portsmouth has recently had problems with her vision deteriorating, which has sadly led to an element of blindness. She can no longer fly or drive due to her condition. BA has been quick to 'manage' her under EG300, changed the rules to deny her a medical incapacity pension and has simply given her notice to accept a job on the ground or be dismissed. "How will I commute from where I live as I'm not allowed to drive?" she legitimately asked.
"MOVE" came the caring reply.
At present we are contracted with the airline to work until we are 55 years old. The reason for this is quite simply that 'we die younger'! Also each hour we work in the air is equivalent to working 2 hours on the ground. So as you can see -- an 11 hour flight to LAX is, in reality 22 hours worth on the body. The job is a very physical one and you are required to be 100% fit, both physically and mentally to be able to last the course.
Back in 1971 with the introduction of extensive jet travel, exposure to greater levels of cosmic radiation, longer range aircraft (747) and less recovery time down route, it was agreed with the management and the pension trustees that flying crew would retire five years earlier than ground staff at 55.
One of the settlements of the 1997 Cabin Crew Strike was that the company would look at an option to increase the retirement age for Cabin Crew, at no cost to BA, for those who wanted it. Talks broke down, as we could not make this cost effective without significant detrimental effect on our agreements, through the additional costs involved.
At the same time, some crew that were nearing retirement, formed Option 55, which independently took BA to employment tribunal to try and get the 55 age limit raised as a choice option for crew. BA put up a rigorous defence, employing the finest barristers and legal counsel that money could buy and won the original legal argument and subsequent appeal. During the tribunal, the head of cabin crew industrial relations (whilst on the witness stand) stated under oath, as part of his sworn testimony, that BA would be irresponsible to allow crew to work beyond 55 because of long term concerns over their health and the effects that flying at this age would have.
If we were 'forced' to work until 65 then quite simply it won't be worth saving for a PENSION because we won't be alive to spend it!
Our CEO -- Willie Walsh is intent on 'bringing us into line' with other departments within BA who have 'negotiated' deals. Negotiation or imposition? We can't comment as we truly do not know the facts.
However from the Evening Standard -- 09 August, 2006:
'£75M SHARES POT TO REWARD BA'S BOSSES -
British Airways is setting aside 20 million shares currently worth £75M to reward its top brass, headed by chief executive Willie Walsh.
The share will be ring-fenced in a special savings scheme which pays out to BA executives depending on their success in running the business.
The future looks bright for the airlines' executive directors after a 57% leap in first quarter profits gave them a flying start in the quest to drive up performance.
Walsh, who received a total of £961,000 from his May 2005 start date to BA's year end in March, can earn a bonus equivalent to 100% of salary split between cash and shares.
Last year, Walsh who stepped into the chief executives role in October was awarded a £270,000 bonus on top of his £548,000 pro-rata basic pay. His pay has since increased to £600,000.
Other likely beneficiaries of the executive share option scheme -- open to middle management up to board director level -- include chief financial Keith Williams.'
So while our top brass feather their nests by rewarding themselves huge bonuses and salaries we at the lower end are expected to 'perform' harder, work with fewer crew onboard, work with a reduced product, faults to In-flight entertainment, broken seats, lighting that does not work properly, toilets that do not flush and take pay cuts. If these things happened on a daily basis at the 'prestigious' BA headquarters -- 'Waterside' there would be outrage!
The changes BA want for us go beyond simply working harder in a changing commercial and security conscious environment. They will affect our lives outside work, our take home pay and most importantly our family life outside of work. They will also have a knock on effect to you, our passengers.
We are not asking for more. We are not a militant group. We only want to keep what little we have left. We understand the need to be competitive in this day and age and we believe we have struck a balance in the market place. We are making sufficient profit in a particularly challenging environment, if we were not we could understand the need for further cutbacks. However, our management have cut back on the very areas where more investment is needed -- on front line staff. They now plan to introduce a further 44 new managers to In-flight Services, when we are already 'awash' with too many managers.
We are still trying to get our management to talk to us but they are telling us "we have nothing to talk about". Unfortunately at the moment we are not seen as people - and we are just like every one of you, doing the best we can to earn a living. As it stands, we are only a 'number' not an individual. We are just expendable staff numbers. We are not valued by our management, in fact quite the opposite.
There are many more 'grievances' involved with this dispute, but it would take so long to explain all of the intricate details to you. This is quite a lot to read already.
At the moment, a strike is the only way we have of standing up for ourselves and forcing our management to open proper discussions regarding our contracts and our future employment. This can all be avoided with the application of a reasonable attitude and a dose of common sense from British Airways management, but anyone who followed the recent 'cross
wearing' debacle will know that those qualities seem to be more lacking, the higher up the British Airways management tree you climb.
Should a strike happen and should you be caught up in the chaos it will cause, British Airways Cabin Crew humbly and sincerely apologise to you. It really is the last thing we want to happen.
If you have non-changeable travel plans with British Airways from January
to March next year, you can write to our chief executive Willie Walsh at
British Airways plc
Waterside
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 0GB
Wrighbrothers From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 1875 posts, RR: 10 Reply 2, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 14659 times:
Right.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): When the company was on shaky ground a few years ago we agreed to no pay increases for a number of years to help it back on its feet. We have given and given, whilst the company have taken - and taken more.
AH HA ! No pay rises, but they didn't take ANY pay cuts or job cuts to my knowledge, unlike vertualy every other department in the airline. Even those evil managers took pay cuts.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): our pension, cuts in pay, no pay increases at all after a certain time, cuts in promotion opportunities, less rest between flights, removal of working position choice
Pensions-That's always a default whine, cabin crew just aren't willing to adjust when eveyone else has to, why just them ?
How many 'working positions' do they want ? You can't realy get more than 3.
They don't seem to understand that you simply don't need a CSD on the short-haul fleet, nor do you realy need pursers when you've got a CSD on long-haul.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): The reason for this is quite simply that 'we die younger'!
You mean 3 days in New York shopping isn't enough for you ?
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): If we were 'forced' to work until 65 then quite simply it won't be worth saving for a PENSION because we won't be alive to spend it!
Again, over-dramatised.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): Our CEO -- Willie Walsh is intent on 'bringing us into line' with other departments within BA who have 'negotiated' deals. Negotiation or imposition? We can't comment as we truly do not know the facts.
And notice how since all the other departments have been 'brought in line', BA 's profits have gone up.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter):
However from the Evening Standard -- 09 August, 2006:
'£75M SHARES POT TO REWARD BA'S BOSSES -
British Airways is setting aside 20 million shares currently worth £75M to reward its top brass, headed by chief executive Willie Walsh.
The share will be ring-fenced in a special savings scheme which pays out to BA executives depending on their success in running the business.
The future looks bright for the airlines' executive directors after a 57% leap in first quarter profits gave them a flying start in the quest to drive up performance.
Walsh, who received a total of £961,000 from his May 2005 start date to BA's year end in March, can earn a bonus equivalent to 100% of salary split between cash and shares.
Last year, Walsh who stepped into the chief executives role in October was awarded a £270,000 bonus on top of his £548,000 pro-rata basic pay. His pay has since increased to £600,000.
Other likely beneficiaries of the executive share option scheme -- open to middle management up to board director level -- include chief financial Keith Williams.'
So while our top brass feather their nests by rewarding themselves huge bonuses and salaries we at the lower end are expected to 'perform' harder, work with fewer crew onboard, work with a reduced product, faults to In-flight entertainment, broken seats, lighting that does not work properly, toilets that do not flush and take pay cuts. If these things happened on a daily basis at the 'prestigious' BA headquarters -- 'Waterside' there would be outrage!
What they mean is, we didn't get a pay rise. I bet if they too had got a pay rise, they wouldn't be complaining.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): We are still trying to get our management to talk to us but they are telling us "we have nothing to talk about". Unfortunately at the moment we are not seen as people - and we are just like every one of you, doing the best we can to earn a living. As it stands, we are only a 'number' not an individual. We are just expendable staff numbers. We are not valued by our management, in fact quite the opposite.
Putting on the sympathy vote mesthinks. They have one of the best deals in the industry, aswell as being some of the best paid.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): It really is the last thing we want to happen.
Hmmmmm.
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): At the moment, a strike is the only way we have of standing up for ourselves and forcing our management to open proper discussions regarding our contracts and our future employment. This can all be avoided with the application of a reasonable attitude and a dose of common sense from British Airways management, but anyone who followed the recent 'cross
wearing' debacle will know that those qualities seem to be more lacking, the higher up the British Airways management tree you climb.
BA management can give what the cabin crew want, atleast parts of it. But the unions need to bend a little more, crying out strike when they don't get their way isn't going to help.
wrighbrothers
Always stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone..
JRadier From Netherlands, joined Sep 2004, 4597 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 14603 times:
I'm not agreeing with the BA Cabin Crew, but I think this is a bit over the top.
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): You mean 3 days in New York shopping isn't enough for you ?
Can't speak for BA, but KLM CA's only get 1 day. Remember while you are in your seat not doing too much they are working. Plus they have to work nights (on long haul flights) and have to adapt to timechanges much more they you have to (it doesn't matter if it takes you a couple of days, it matters with them
On long haul flights NY is one of the shortest routes, but many flights approach or go over the 10 hours duty-time (it doesn't stop with flying) while a regular office day is 8 (9-to-5). Even if you get a longer break it is very tiring (and yes I know, I often do 10+ hour days at work). On short haul they often don't get more then 15 minutes to shove a meal down their throats and relax a bit. Night stopovers are often short and don't give you a nice night rest.
So while their claims might be a bit overdone, your certainly is as well.
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and ther
Trekster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 14568 times:
I for one dont want a strike, and know crew that dont, but who cares. The militant ones and unions want the strike to get there own way.
I know i will get shouted at but i dont care.
Other areas work hard to provide a great service to the flying public, and its going to get wrecked by one part of the company. We have no say in it at all. Us in the call centres will get shouted at, and get the people whose holidays and trips etc they have ruined. The crew wont get that, we will.
06 has been a bad year for the airline, not though any fault of its own.
Do we need to start 07 with a strike, that will just move pax numbers away from the airline. Wont that in turn mean less money, less work, less jobs in the end.
Wrighbrothers From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 1875 posts, RR: 10 Reply 7, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 14466 times:
Quoting JRadier (Reply 3): Remember while you are in your seat not doing too much they are working. Plus they have to work nights (on long haul flights) and have to adapt to timechanges much more they you have to (it doesn't matter if it takes you a couple of days, it matters with them
Quoting JRadier (Reply 3): On long haul flights NY is one of the shortest routes, but many flights approach or go over the 10 hours duty-time (it doesn't stop with flying) while a regular office day is 8 (9-to-5). Even if you get a longer break it is very tiring (and yes I know, I often do 10+ hour days at work). On short haul they often don't get more then 15 minutes to shove a meal down their throats and relax a bit. Night stopovers are often short and don't give you a nice night rest.
So while their claims might be a bit overdone, your certainly is as well.
I have no doubt that it's not all it's made out to be, it's hard work, long hours constant time changes etc, I'm not disputing that.
What I am saying, is that they are trying to make out like it's the hardest job in the world. Maybe they don't get 3 days in New York, I'm willing to be proven wrong, but they are going on about reduced breaks between flights (I'm talking long-haul) when you've just said that KLM crew only get 1 day, I'm prett sure BA crew get more than that.
I sugest the unions need to look at what BA crew get over all compared to what other airline crew get.
wrighbrothers
Always stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone..
BA get good pay and conditions compared to other airlines of the world.
If they dont like it, go, and keep our passengers happy by not striking, wrecking the good name of BA, and causing untold disruption to your working colleagues and passengers that, if im not wrong, pay our wages.
One thing, quiet important to note btw, and i want crew to respond with a good answer here.
BA have lost ALOT of money this year, through the numerous things that have hit us. Do you really want to make the airline loose EVEN more money by striking to get more time in a far away city, or more pay when you get good pay and trips at the moment.
BAxMAN From St. Helena, joined May 2004, 671 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 14393 times:
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 7): I have no doubt that it's not all it's made out to be, it's hard work, long hours constant time changes etc, I'm not disputing that.
What I am saying, is that they are trying to make out like it's the hardest job in the world. Maybe they don't get 3 days in New York, I'm willing to be proven wrong, but they are going on about reduced breaks between flights (I'm talking long-haul) when you've just said that KLM crew only get 1 day, I'm prett sure BA crew get more than that.
I sugest the unions need to look at what BA crew get over all compared to what other airline crew get.
wrighbrothers
Dismissing all the above gripes out of hand is a very naive and simplistic way of looking at the situation. It's this kind of attitude- espoused by managers as well as seemingly the pilot's son- that many in BA are unhappy about.
I have an element of sympathy with both parties. If I were crew, it's only natural that I would try and retain as much of the benefits as possible. From the management side, they can obviously see unnecessary and out-dated expenditure that can be saved. I suspect the union doesn't in all its wildest wet dreams expect management to submit to all their demands - that's why its negotiation. Nobody seems to know what concessions, if any, that BA has made to crew.
There is a constant culture of cost cutting in BA which was started, quite correctly, by Rod Eddington and Slasher Walsh is now taking a great big pair of garden shears through all departments and around the world. In the short term, profitability will benefit. In the long term, passengers will be alienated. Nobody really wants chaps flying BA because they are forced to by corporate agreements, schedules, choice etc, but we want people to fly BA because it's their preferred airline.
Competing with EK, SQ etc is futile - BA just simply cannot match their cost base unless they start bringing in belly loads of illegals from Albania. Cabin crew, and other customer facing staff like myself and my dear friend Trekster, hear of increasing dissatisfaction frequently.
I sincerely hope though that there is no strike. Hopefully we will see a compromise at some point but the leaks are already disincentivising people to travel. The share price has continued to rise depite previous years' shenanigans. You have to wonder how many more strikes/mishaps the market will sustain?
Wrighbrothers From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 1875 posts, RR: 10 Reply 11, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 14314 times:
Quoting BAxMAN (Reply 10): Dismissing all the above gripes out of hand is a very naive and simplistic way of looking at the situation. It's this kind of attitude- espoused by managers
I see it from a managerial point of view, so my views will differ from yours, and that's fine by me
Other airlines who have lower crew costs and pay their crew less, seem to do better, not always, but BA has quite high over-heads, which isn't do the airline any favours. While it's great that the crew get a good wage, it has to be sacraficed somewhere else.
For example, (as this is my main place of knowledge) engineering. The engineers work in old buildings which aren't very nice inside, their wages are lower than that of other airlines, the work force had to take job losses, pay cuts, outsourcing of jobs and other things, yet I don't see them striking.
There are parts of BA that are 'over bloated' in terms of money pumped into it, while there are other key parts left behind, is this right ?
BAStew From Australia, joined Sep 2006, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 14214 times:
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): I cannot confirm or deny if this is authentic, BA customers should contact the airline for any clarification.
This was an email written by a BA cabin crew member. S/he then posted it on the BASSA union (BA cabin crew union) Forum and encouraged others to forward it on to their email address book.
WRIGHTBROTHERS.......
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): AH SA)">HA ! No pay rises, but they didn't take ANY pay cuts or job cuts to my knowledge, unlike vertualy every other department in the airline. Even those evil managers took pay cuts.
Correct. We did not take a pay cut. Instead, we elected to 'drop' one crew member per flight from the 747.
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): Pensions-That's always a default whine, cabin crew just aren't willing to adjust when eveyone else has to, why just them ?
How many 'working positions' do they want ? You can't realy get more than 3.
They don't seem to understand that you simply don't need a CSD on the short-haul fleet, nor do you realy need pursers when you've got a CSD on long-haul.
I agree. It is hard for us to justify the amount of CSD's/Pursers we have on a jumbo at BA when compared to every other airline (except JAL which has higher supervisory levels).
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): You mean 3 days in New York shopping isn't enough for you ?
The LONGEST JFK we have is one of the rotations where we arrive on the very last flight day 1 (about midnight NY time) and leave very early (hotel pick up around 05:30) day 3. All other Nth American trips with a daily frequency (except LAX/SFO/PHX) we get 17 - 30 hours rest.
Quoting Trekster (Reply 9): BA get good pay and conditions compared to other airlines of the world.
Trekster, you are right. Our average monthly 'take home' pay is at the top of the tier in the airline industry. HOWEVER a HUGE proportion of that is VARIABLE pay. Long range payments, meal allowences, overtime payments etc etc. We cannot rely on ANY of these payments. If I am off sick for a month I will take home around £800 for a months work. If BA find themselves seriously over-crewed they can quite rightly give me no flying. Again, around £800 for the month.
Cabin crew on a post 1997 contract earn a MAXIMUM basic salary of £15,000 after 8 years.
A word on our current management. Unfortunately, the ethos seems to be 'come in, slash as much as you can and leave with a nice bonus'. They have no concern for the staff or indeed the passengers. The mantra just seems to be 'slash slash slash'. I mean COME ON.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE FOR GODS SAKE! While they behave like that they will NEVER have the respect of their workforce.
They should take a leaf out of Continental Airlines CEO Larry Kellner when dealing with recent F/A pay talks. Mr Kellner turned up in person to finalise the agreement; in an environment of "Shared Sacrifice" he and other senior leaders gave back 25% of their basic salaries. Contrary to this the Cabin Crew community at British Airways are being asked to give up a collective £37m, AT THE SAME TIME AS £75 MILLION IS BEING RINGFENCED FOR THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM!
I am no fan of BASSA. I agree their tactics can be stuck in the 70's. But while we are making record profits every working group within BA has rolled over and taken whatever BA have dished out. BA cabin crew are the largest group in the BA workforce (around 14,000 of us) and we are certainly not prepared to roll over in the same manner so out management can grab the £75 million and walk. NO WAY!
Ikramerica From United States of America, joined May 2005, 21025 posts, RR: 60 Reply 13, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 14172 times:
People always trot out the sob story to make the company look evil, and the stories are usually irrelevant to the issues. The other issues that are brought up sound valid, but if below is an example of how unfair BA is, I'm not crying a river...
Quote: As an example of our new sickness policy (EG300)-- A world wide crew member who has lived all her life on the south coast towards Portsmouth has recently had problems with her vision deteriorating, which has sadly led to an element of blindness. She can no longer fly or drive due to her condition. BA has been quick to 'manage' her under EG300, changed the rules to deny her a medical incapacity pension and has simply given her notice to accept a job on the ground or be dismissed. "How will I commute from where I live as I'm not allowed to drive?" she legitimately asked.
"MOVE" came the caring reply.
We don't know the facts, but frankly, "MOVE" is the correct reply. She was not injured on the job, and BA is not accountable for her medical problem (unless she sues and proves that it's the radiation that did it...). BA have offered her a different job so she can remain at BA and work toward her retirement, but that job entails her being at a certain place. If she can't get there, is the answer for BA to move their offices closer to her? Or should they just be obligated to pay her for the rest of her life because she wants to live on the south coast? She CAN'T PERFORM HER JOB and it's not BA's fault, at least as described.
It might be time for her to find another job closer to home if she doesn't want to move closer to her new job. BA is not a babysitting service nor a welfare agency. If the old health rules would have paid her forever, then they were stupid rules that were part of the reason BA was losing money.
If I fall in a skiing accident and break my back, should I expect my employer to give me money for life and move their business to suit my condition? If I get diabetes due to heredity, is that my employer's fault in any way? If my employer offers to accommodate me as best they can as long as I can still perform any job for them, should I be angry and ungrateful toward them?
Move along...
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): You mean 3 days in New York shopping isn't enough for you
Once again somebody saying something who has no idea what they are talking about. 3 days in NYC......I wish!!!! 18 hours on my last trip!!!!
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): And notice how since all the other departments have been 'brought in line'
Yes but are they happy with that?? Remember EG300 was accepted by all departments at BA but nobody is happy with it. BASSA fought for changes and even got some but they are not implemented or actioned so hence a call for strike action.
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): I bet if they too had got a pay rise, they wouldn't be complaining.
There is not one single point asking for a pay rise but hey if they wont to give of us one similar to managements or indeed Willie Walshes then lets negotiate!
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 2): They have one of the best deals in the industry, aswell as being some of the best paid.
And thats why most of us leave other international airlines to work for them. If it was just the same as the rest then why change. Somebody has to be a leader and I am afraid that is BA and we have to fight for what we have! We bring with us our experience from those other airlines which is truelly to BAs benefit...........
Quoting Trekster (Reply 4): Us in the call centres will get shouted at, and get the people whose holidays and trips etc they have ruined. The crew wont get that, we will.
And you dont think we get that everyday when they tell us they ordered this or that or requested things through call centres. You just accept the responsibility and deal with it. We all work for the same company its OUR problem.
Quoting Trekster (Reply 9): EVEN more money by striking to get more time in a far away city
The ballot has nothing to do with more money or more time off downroute. Perhaps you need to find out what we are balloting about!!
Wrighbrothers From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 1875 posts, RR: 10 Reply 15, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 14087 times:
, you called. I honestly have nothing against the BA cabin crew personally, I flew LHR-SEA-LHR at Christmas, and they were great, it's just on this subject, I have to differ.
Quoting BAStew (Reply 12): we elected to 'drop' one crew member per flight from the 747.
Okay (I'm learning people, I'm learning). Were those people made redundant, or just moved to other roles ?
Quoting Aussiestu (Reply 14): Yes but are they happy with that?? Remember EG300 was accepted by all departments at BA but nobody is happy with it. BASSA fought for changes and even got some but they are not implemented or actioned so hence a call for strike action.
Are they happy ? Probably not, but it's the fact that would you rather have a job and take a pension cut ?
Quoting Aussiestu (Reply 14): Once again somebody saying something who has no idea what they are talking about. 3 days in NYC......I wish!!!! 18 hours on my last trip!!!!
Okay, I was wrong there, thank you for informing me.
wrighbrothers
Always stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone..
Airbus3801 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 1089 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 14085 times:
It seems a bit over the top and making issues out of things that seem like a no brainer. I was considering them for travel in the future months, but I do not want to have the risk of being seriously delayed because of striking employees.
BAStew From Australia, joined Sep 2006, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 14015 times:
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 15): , you called. I honestly have nothing against the BA cabin crew personally, I flew LHR-SEA-LHR at Christmas, and they were great, it's just on this subject, I have to differ.
Glad you enjoyed the flight and i'm sure it is nothing personal!
Quoting Wrighbrothers (Reply 15): Quoting BAStew (Reply 12):
we elected to 'drop' one crew member per flight from the 747.
Okay (I'm learning people, I'm learning). Were those people made redundant, or just moved to other roles ?
If I remember correctly there were no redundancies. There was a recruitment freeze, and the offer of unpaid leave or part-time.
To be honest I think we expect to illicit little public sympathy or indeed much from our collegues at other airlines. In the UK their almost seems to be a mentality that once you reach a certain tier (whatever the industry) people quite enjoy to see you fall. I am just waiting for the Daily Mail to throw around a '£60,000 average BA cabin crew salary' or similar. We will be portayed as overpaid and under worked, I know.
We also acknowledge that our collegues in other departments have suffered many cutbacks. I remember attending the intra-departmental 'Owning Our Future course' and listening to one of the engineers share some of the changes (read: cutbacks) that had gone on in the engineering department. Not nice!
I think that besides the actual issues we are balloting over (some of which seem trivial to the outsider) the over-riding issue that predominates is our current (new) management (and in particular Willie Walsh). Unfortunately for WW his resume was public knowledge. Known as 'the slasher' from Aer Lingus. Of course the unions were going to be cautious. I don't think management have made any secret of their intention: to cut employee costs and reform working practices in time for our move to T5. This is fair enough. But things are not being thought through. Knowing full well they will be gone to pastures new with a big fat bonus in a few years they are cutting in-discriminately. It is difficult to be a 'full service premium airline' (BA's words) and yet cut ever workforce to the bone.
- We never make enough profit.
- Profit margins are never good enough.
- Passenger compliments are never good enough.
- Yields are never good enough.
- The outlook is gloomy.
This is all we are constantly being told. Good is just never good enough. We are one of the most profitable airlines in the work, yet, still lets make more cuts. Not to our huge management salaries or £75 million share bonus, but to the 'little people'.
And on the other hand......... we have the BASSA union (T&G). Inflexible, militant, not very good at 'negotiation'. Add BASSA + Willie Walsh around the table = DISASTER.
I just hope that the moderates will come out of the woodwork before it is too late. Perhaps the Chairman should wade into negotiations. We all accept that savings must be made, changes to agreements made. But there has to be a little give for each take.
As Aussiestu mentioned, many of us have left other airlines for a career at BA and will most certainly defend what we signed up for. Whatever the profession, whatever the industry, there will always be one that pays the best and one that pays the worst. One with the best conditions, one with the lousiest. I intend to ensure I stick with the former.
Trekster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 13836 times:
Quoting Aussiestu (Reply 14): The ballot has nothing to do with more money or more time off down-route. Perhaps you need to find out what we are balloting about!!
If you read what i said, i do believe i said no striking due to the fact it will cost BA an arm and a leg in refunds etc, and hit the profit BIG time, just like every problem this year. Do we want 07 to start the same, loosing all that. I did not talk about the reasons why your striking (though i picked a few things which are true and have been mentioned by fellow crew on this thread)
Cusaeng From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2006, 143 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 13618 times:
i wont be helping anymore crew when they call asking me to service a pnr for them
"sorry i am on an unofficial strike" hangs up on them
i think its shocking what they are planning on doing as its the desks and the gate agents that will get all the crap from the pax.
i have a few comments about the strike and the attitude towards pay but i dont think this is the time or the place to discuss them.
i just hope they dont strike.
BestWestern From Ireland, joined Sep 2000, 6414 posts, RR: 58 Reply 20, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 13476 times:
Has a strike ballot been called?
Has a vote taken place?
Is this a typical BASSA moan? someone should remind the militants that we are now seven years into the new decade.. the days for striking are over by about thirty years. The travelling public has no sympathy for BA cabin crew and baggage handling antics anymore.
BAStew From Australia, joined Sep 2006, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 13435 times:
Quoting Cusaeng (Reply 19): i think its shocking what they are planning on doing as its the desks and the gate agents that will get all the crap from the pax.
Remember when the ground staff walked out a couple years ago. No notice, no ballot??
The ballot is in process right now. It will close on 12 Jan. Results will be announced at the BASSA meeting on 15 Jan. BASSA then legaly have to give 7 days notice and any action must occur within 4 weeks of the ballot closing.
Quoting BestWestern (Reply 20): the days for striking are over by about thirty years.
UK law gives the right to strike, provided certain rules are followed.
And thanks god for that, otherwise management could just waltz in to any company, any department and impose whatever changes they like.
BA cabin crew are not asking for one more penny from BA.
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12326 posts, RR: 12 Reply 22, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 13358 times:
Regrettably, the competitive situations for airlines today from customer demands for cheaper flights, the growth of LCC's with their lower labor cost structures (like Ryanair, EasyJet and others in the UK), increasing labor costs, aircraft more expensive and greater regulation costs are putting pressure on the airlines to cut the incomes of cabin crew. Pension costs have exploded as people live a lot longer than they were structured for, along with underfunding for years by airlines in tight financial situations. Add to this that the cost of living in locations like London, New York and elsewhere have gone up a lot faster than salaries have. Then cabin crew have limits on the numbers of hours they can work, unlike many others with usual jobs where they can work many more hours and in many cases get paid overtime.
A strike by BA cabin staff would be very costly to BA as well as the economy of the UK so the threat must be taken very seriously. I don't have any easy answers for their predicament, but I hope that a strike can be avoided without hurting either BA or it's employees.
SK736 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 414 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 13266 times:
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): They have approached these changes by not informing us, their staff, of their intentions. The only communications we have received regarding 'changes' have been through our Trade Union.
Well what are trade unions for if not to be the representatives of staff? If management hadn't told the trade unions they'd be complaining about that too!
Quoting Zeke (Thread starter): British Airways management are refusing to negotiate with our Trade Union Representatives, declaring their intention to introduce the changes without discussion and openly stating that "we will walk right through you".
Management have the right to manage. BA cabin crew clearly need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century and the realities of business today.
BAStew From Australia, joined Sep 2006, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 13171 times:
Quoting SK736 (Reply 23): Management have the right to manage. BA cabin crew clearly need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century and the realities of business today.
SK I sit on the fence with this one. Yes, we (and our union) do need to make changes to our working practices that would bring a benefit to both us and BA's bottom line.
For that however, we need management that know how to manage people. This seems to be lacking at the moment. They are very good at cutting costs, being confrontational.....but when it comes to Human Resource Management there is a total lacking.
25 Wrighbrothers: They were great indeed, treated a non-rev just like a passenger. Look out for my trip report some time this or next week about it I myself considered
26 Sketty222: Yet again Trekster, I completely agree! To be honest, I think that I may have seen that whilst at work. Lee Im with you on that one. Do you not think
27 Sketty222: This is not aimed at you personally BAStew Not being picky here but most BA customer support staff arent on much more than this anyway every month. T
28 ANother: I read today that some Union official is talking about giving BA a bloody nose. Ha, it's me one of your customers who will get the bloody nose. Bloody
29 Swiftski: I read the original post with much interest, and skimmed through the replies too. Unless I missed it - sorry if i did - no one asked or said what woul
30 Grbld: It always amazes me that so many folks: - ASSUME that a flying job is so much fun, that it is NOT allowed to make negative remarks about the working c
31 Wrighbrothers: Flights would simply be canceled. You can't fly with less than 1 cabin crew on BA's main-line routes (I think you need 1 cabin crew member for 50 peo
32 AirSpare: I wish I could get 18 hours off in between shifts. I'm lucky at times to get 5, and yea, I work in an industry where an errant computer command can c
33 A380flyer: I know people don't like change, but sometimes it is for the better of everyone. I used to work in hotels and got fed up with the poor wages, long hou
34 Trekster: What people need to understand is the guys they are going to really annoy are the people that in turn pay there wages. But, they seem to have forgott
35 BAStew: Flights at BA could not go crew-less unless they were also without passengers. Whether or not BA would choose to operate certain flights without pass
36 BAStew: Airspare where do you get the energy to type???? A380, we are not striking because we don't like our job. The majority of us love it! We are ballotin
37 PanAmOldDC8: I hope the BA staff really think about this before they go ahead and do it. In this modern age your routes can be snapped up very quickly if you make
38 A380flyer: BAStew I completely agree with you, we all want some benefits for ourselves and want our own privileges, but BA is a big company and has to modernise.
39 BAStew: A380 I love working for BA. I am very happy with my pay, terms/conditions/agreements. Why should I go work for another airline. As I have already sai
40 A380flyer: I work for a large company who use BA for air travel around the world. They are not happy with this talk and uncertanty over strikes etc, so much so t
41 A340600: What?! This strike isn't about crew wanting more time in foreign places or more pay.
43 BAStew: Sounds great! What happens then if the management propose a change that your entire workforce is unhappy with? Let's say instead of making your hours
44 OA260: Totally agree!!! I would say though Strike action should always be the last resort and the repercussions taken into account but I do believe in the f
45 BALAX: So is the purser position already gone from the 747 or is this one getting the axe soon? I'm not sure if I agree with the crew on the stoppage. The f
46 RoseFlyer: I just got off a British Airways flight a few hours ago and fully appreciated the efforts of the crew through our 22 hour delay. They were amazing. I
47 1stfl94: BA still has debts of several hundred million (possibly into the billions), they have to be paid off somehow. I just hope that the BA crew remember w
48 Wingedarrow: That's the most professional action taken against an airline management I've ever seen. Without offending anybody they draw public attention on their
49 Silverfox: The last job i had No Contract! Everything was done on the whim of the manager holidays etc No pay when sick, only the GB statuory basics, (which sort
50 B78710: ahhhhh dont you just love the 13-15 year old managers? get real how many greasy filthy hosties do u think parade around in the compass centre compare
51 Wrighbrothers: What I mean by that, is that I see it from what the managers see, not what the crew do, and yes, I am real. As long as the cabin crew still get the j
52 JRadier: Not to burst your bubble, but Net. Profit in 2006 (year ending 31st March) for BA was 467 million GBP (pounds) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_
54 B78710: believe me, you dont need to lecture me on the responsibilities of engineers! thats why they have to work extensively to obtain there licence, and wh
55 Bongodog1964: I believe BA management have set a target for the return on investors money; which they have yet to reach. Yes BA are making a profit which in airlin
56 Wrighbrothers: I was just using that as an example of how the cabin crew (and other departments) seem to get better treatment. The visable difference between (for e
57 Boysteve: What is wrong with having to work until 65 for a full pension entitlement? Some people have no idea of the economics of the real world bought on by lo
58 BALAX: Just don't strike between January 23 and January 28, those are days I'll be in the UK.
59 Shamrock_747: 'Them and us' attitudes are dangerous, and I believe are a prime cause for the proposed industrial action by cabin crew. Some jobs may be more respon
60 BALAX: So what's the latest on the vote which was due today?
61 Trekster: If anything, it will come out on Monday I hope it is a NO otherwise its going to be a very intresting few months at work
62 BALAX: So what happens to the crew that flies outside of London, how will they make it home if they strike?
63 Shamrock_747: BASSA (the union) is recommending that crew only strike out of LHR, not downroute.
64 PanAmOldDC8: Happened to me once. Flying out of YYZ to BGI they called the strike. The pilots turned the aircraft around over Bermuda and returned to YYZ and then
65 Wrighbrothers: I defiantly agree with you here, and it's not just limited to cabin crew. Nearly every department seems to have a big gap between management and 'gro
66 PanAmOldDC8: How very very true, grass is always greener on the other side until you get there and step in s**t. I say they think this thing out properly before t
67 Bx737: I have read this discussion with much interest. Working for EI I have been on the receiving end of Willie Walsh's cuts. As an outsider and knowing his
68 ThrottleHold: ..and what happened....WW had to give in in the end. He was sent packing with his list of demands. No one likes striking, but sometimes it's the only
69 TCXDegsy: This statement itself IMO, is the lynchpin of the whole BA Vs Crew issue. If BA are "over-crewed", that's where the problem lies. BA know only too we
70 BAStew: The ballot result will be announced at the BASSA union meeting at 11:00 on Monday 15th Jan. For me personally, I have no problem with it. It is still
71 Access-Air: Ya know what? I have no sympathy for this situation.....These people CHOSE to work as Flight Attendants. They knew at some point that it would entail
72 Speedmarque: AccessAir You have no idea what you are talking about so dont comment on things you clearly know naff all about! We are striking to stop the company f
73 PanAmOldDC8: I predict that up to 20% of the F/A are going to be laid off at the end of this strike. That's what I would have done when I managed hotels, the addi
74 Speedmarque: Based on? BA has survived many strikes and worse (9/11 etc) and have never had to lay anyone off forcibly. Pax have short memories when it comes to w
75 Shamrock_747: It is a shame that opportunities for promotion will be more limited, but things simply have to change. Having 1 CSD and 4 Pursers on the 747-400 has
76 Speedmarque: It was mentioned in a recent meeting as being on BAs wishlist. If we dont stand up for ourselves now they will walk all over us. There is an hourly r
77 OA260: I dont think people choose BA because its BA. . If you are in USA or Far East and are travelling you look for the cheapest fare and the best connecti
78 PanAmOldDC8: People don't have short memories after an Air Canada strike back in 2000, I still haven't used Air Canada, use BWIA and now AA. I am trying to point
79 Sketty222: Did you not read in the BAnews about the cBA call centres closing due to future size and shape, which by the way if you didnt know, was introduced du
80 OA260: BA's cabin crew are split into two categories:: A/ Up their own backsides,un professional and snobbish!!! B/ Smiling,professional,helpful. Its for th
81 Speedmarque: This is absolutely true, since 1997 BA new joining crew have been on substantially less basic pay than those who joined before 1997. I sometimes work
82 Wrighbrothers: Well, it is, since everyone else in the airline has to (bar the pilots). The simple thing is, you're only able to argue this subject about BA being s
83 Egmcman: Going on strike won't change a thing it will make everything worse. When did a strike ever do any good? Passengers will use other airlines and more jo
84 Kanebear: Another year, another BA strike. *yawn* *stretch* When are you/they going to realize that at some point you are finally going to drive away every one
85 Speedmarque: Twaddle. Give me examples of what EVERYONE except crew have given up recently to have any credibility please. You call £800 basic a month a pot of g
86 Trekster: Exactly what i have been saying, though tell that to the people that are more then likely to say yes to strike tomorrow. Them going, will hit the whol
87 OA260: Thats the basic??? !! What does the average BA crew member on a new contract get after all the other things added on ???
88 Speedmarque: OK then Trekster, for the good of all those people who work at BA whom I dont know, I wont strike. I will instead roll over and let the company lower
89 Sketty222: No offence but your attitude is very poor and BA dont need it. If you want a better wage, find a better job instead of maybe ruining thousands of oth
90 Bongodog1964: Is this not illegal under the UK equal pay acts ? I was under the impression (as an employer) that all staff with an identical role have to be paid t
92 Trekster: Great team player you are, glad to have you as part of the team From what i am told, BA get the better pay and conditions then alot of other airlines
93 HBJZA: ONLY !!!! If any full time "ground" worker (all jobs, not only plane related) gets so much rest between end of word in the evening and begining the n
94 Express1: BBC breaking news in the last few minutes states, 96% of BA cabin crew have voted to go on strike dave
95 Trekster: WOOHOO Looking forward to work in the next 4 weeks then Thank you cabin crew. I so hope that BA HQ sort this out and we dont annoy the hell out of th
96 Express1: So will we be seeing air fares increase and redundencies?,BA will have to claw back the loss of revenue somehow. dave
97 Trekster: Yep, do they realise that, i dont think so.
98 Sketty222: Attention Cabin Crew Thanks for your fantastic input!!! Lee
99 OA260: Well I guess it was expected so will be interesting to see if the management try to resolve the matter or just go head to head with the FA's
100 BAStew: BASSA and BA management have scheduled talks for tomorrow (tues). The share price dropped 7.5p at 11:30 Hopefully any strike can be avoided.[Edited 20
101 Bx737: It is interesting to read what is being said in the forum. WW thrives on divide and conquer. It didn't work in EI but was tried. Trekster, I appreciat
102 Express1: The last time that the Cabin crew went on strike , talks between management and workers broke down.If BA management dont keep good relations with thei
104 G-CIVP: Right, going to wade into the debate here. The problem with working as a flight attendant is that is, and will always remain a low paid job. The main
105 BAStew: No dates will be given at the meeting today. At the meeting attendees have been told it will be a series of 3 day strikes though. Guess whether we see
106 Express1: Lump it,like it or leave,oh thats typical,these days you fight for your rights and your jobs,if situations like this is only one sided,how on earth c
107 G-CIVP: Express 1 - In context, my point is that some employees have more economic clout than others and are paid accordingly. In this situation, it will be i
108 PanAmOldDC8: Give me an example of working to rule that does not hurt your paying customers? Never seen one yet, the poor slob who pays for the flight will get s*
109 Bongodog1964: Having just seen the BBC coverage of the Union meeting on the lunchtime news; its fair to say that the strike decision was very well received by those
110 AA767400: Assumptions! And it's those assumptions that make people think we don't deserve anything. See below to understand why SQ,CX, and MH get paid nothing.
111 OA260: Yes but in EI's case it was near collapse and something drastic had to be done and thank god it has come through the other end and is a profit making
112 Wrighbrothers: Seeing the over joyed reaction from the BA crews when it was announced today that they had voted to strike, surprised me. But I'm sure they won't mind
113 BAxMAN: Tsk. You should look at a journalism (lying?) career with the Daily Mail if you are seriously trying to spin those scenes like that. The only benefit
114 PanAmOldDC8: Wait until the lay offs start, these people don't realise that BA now has them by the short and curly. They will sign the agreement in 2 weeks only t
115 BAStew: While describing it as slave labour, the employee cost base at airlines like SQ and EK are low. SQ are the best paid in their home market, Ek are the
116 OA260: Just for the record EI is a very good airline once again and has come out the other side with some of the nicest crew and good service and a good buy
117 AA767400: I was being dramatic. But people do think that Cabin Crew should be paid not much due to their assumptions of a glamorous "shopping on Fifth ave" lif
118 Bongodog1964: Whilst its true to say that you can't believe everything (or indeed often anything) you read in the newspapers, this scene was recorded by TV news ca
119 Baron95: Are you serious? My god - do people still think like that in the 21st century. It is as simple as this. If you believe that your employer is treating
120 Gkirk: Good on the cabin crew for standing up for themselves.
121 Bx737: A work to rule is by definition obeying all of the rules that are there. In a normal day when everything is going well there should be no disruption
122 BALAX: Cheers, I like the way you write (or speak for that matter). Non biased approach, very good.
123 OkAY: Wow, interesting opinion Baron95. I have noticed it is very often an American who is so against the idea of striking. You very often say, that if you
124 BALAX: What amazes me more is that yes , it is the 21st century, and also that you make it sound so simple to just switch jobs. Come on, get real. Do you re
125 Bongodog1964: Okay I see where you are coming from, but can't entirely agree with you. In a free market the ability of management to impose steadily tougher terms a
126 OA260: I think its a European / American difference and there is a balance between the two. I dont agree with lots of strikes unless its the last resort but
127 Wrighbrothers: I didn't put on spin on it. The BBC coverage on last nights 10'o clock news, and it clearly showed those in the front rows jumping up in joy, I do ho
128 GDB: Those scenes on the news were a disgrace. So Cabin Crew are suffering some from the more competive industry, the greater pressures all round, well joi
129 PanAmOldDC8: That is one of the problems with Europe, the productivity is so low as compared to the Asian continent, one day Europe is going to wake up and find i
130 GDB: Fair point PanAMOldDC8, however, 'Europe' is a big, diverse place, for instance, French industry is rated as having higher productivity than US indust
131 Theginge: Rest time down route depends on a number of factors, such as the schedule, the length of the preceeding duty and as in BA's case, sometimes union agre
132 Baron95: Am I missing something here? Lets say that McDonalds pays $7/hr, FLyBe pays $10/hr, Cafe de Paris pays $15/hr, Virgin Atlantic/SG/LH pays $20/hr and
133 Sketty222: WELCOME TO MY RESPECTED USERS LIST! Lee
134 BAStew: I would beg to differ on that one. I think you would have to compare salaries vs cost of living worldwide. The London area is notoriously expensive.
135 BALAX: I'm not being negative here but when you say EVERY you realize you are generalizing, which is entirely not true. Companies hire based on operational
136 Express1: Its all to do with Money,BA are worried about Money,thay dont care how ill you are,thay want you to continue to work,thay dont care about their staff
137 AF-A319: BA is not a charity or a state owned airline: it's owned and financed by our shareholders. If we're not profitable enough, our shareholders simply wo
138 Express1: you don't need to repeat yourselve to me i hurd you the first time lol dave
139 BALAX: What's the outcome of the meeting today by the way?
140 BAStew: The management and union reps are still in the meeting now. Not so AF. A doctors note counts for absolutely nothing.
141 AF-A319: Really? If that's the case, that sounds pretty unfair indeed. I don't see why BA wouldn't take that into consideration!
142 BAStew: DEFINITELY the case AF. Even when we attend our own inhouse health department - BA Health Services (BAHS) - and given a recommendation that we are un
143 Sketty222: As a BA staff member I agree with you on this point to a certain extent. BA do look after their staff though, my wife also works for BA and has a lon
144 Wrighbrothers: Agreed, London is very expensive !! (The most expensive city or certainly capital in the world to live I think) Really ? That does surprise me, I tho
145 BAStew: Yes, they have dropped from an average of 22 days p.a to an average of 16 days p.a. I believe BA are aiming for 12 days p.a as the target. The same p
146 BAStew: BA would certainly be taking a risk by suspending staff travel. Mainly because of the number of crew that use staff travel to commute to london (and
147 PilotRecruit: As I read this thread it's become apparent to me that there generally is a lot of animosity towards BA (I know, I'm a regular Sherlock Holmes). My que
148 Par13del: BAStew you stated that 48% of LHR staff are 8 years or less, is this an indication of staff turnover from previous job actions? 1. Its has already bee
149 VonRichtofen: Actually much of Western Europe is rated higher for productivity than the US. Anyway, have they set a strike date yet? I'm going to Europe in Feb, I'
150 BAStew: Talks have ended for this evening and will resume tomorrow morning. No news is good news i guess.
151 Wrighbrothers: I meant suspend staff travel privileges for STRIKING crew (not everyone), once the strike is over or during it. 10 % !!!, Hmm, while I wouldn't like
152 Theginge: I hope some crew realise the implications of a strike, ie, send passengers elsewhere. There is a danger that the business passengers that make up most
153 BAStew: Just an update, BA management and the cabin crew union have wrapped up talks this evening (weds) and are resuming talks on friday. At least it seems t
155 BALAX: Dates for what? It says they are still discussing things. Guess I'm safe for flying out on Tuesday at least.
156 BAStew: There are 12 'items' on the list that the ballot was essentially over, some more trivial than others. BA asked BASSA on Wednesday afternoon to give th
157 PilotRecruit: Thanks BAStew. You've been very informative on this whole thing. I'm booked to fly on the 5th of Feb and I'm connecting to another airline at Heathrow
158 BAStew: I think today will be 'crunch day' pilotrecruit. I think we should know either way today. Fingers are crossed that maybe both sides will give a little
159 PilotRecruit: I flew on Wed the 17th LHR-YYC and I must say that the crew was excellent. I hope that everyone can come out satisfied.
160 BALAX: What are the chances of talks continuing thru next week? I guess I'll be flying NW to MSP and on to LAX.
161 Speedmarque: Talks have broken down. BASSA will be advising members of when/what action will take place on Sunday 21st. Sorry for customers.[Edited 2007-01-19 21:2
162 OA260: Oh well nothings really happening that no one already expected.
163 PilotRecruit: What kind of action will BA take for customers affected by the strike? If they will compensate, I'm assuming they will only do it if the strike is on
164 ANother: Advice? Book on somebody else until all of them (i.e. both sides) come to their senses.
165 PanAmOldDC8: Not suprised. BA will probaly do the chapter 11 thing and reform as a new company, thats what I would do
166 PilotRecruit: I'm not a rich man so I don't have too much money at my disposal to be booking on another carrier just incase. I think some solid information on what
167 FCAFLYBOY: Sorry - but Soooooo over BA now. Apologies to any A.netter BA staff, but it's the final nail now for many BA customers (and staff I think)
168 Sketty222: IF ONLY!!!! No such thing as chapter 11 in the UK unfortunately!
169 Sketty222: I am BA staff and I apologise to all customers on behalf of all BA staff out there. I agree with most passengers and dont agree with what cabin crew
170 Sketty222: I have heard a rumour that the strike is only going to affect LHR based staff. Is this true or will LGW crew be taking strike action as well? Lee
171 Christopherwoo: I work for a LCC and to be fair.... I have many friends at british airways and they get it a lot better than we do. We work a 6 days on 3 days off ros
172 Speedmarque: With respect, Waitrose staff have different terms and conditions and working hours to Tesco staff but both are supermarkets. Not all companies in the
173 Sketty222: With respect, go and work for the Waitrose of the airline industry if your not happy. Everyone has a choice. Crew chose to work for BA, no-one held a
175 Christopherwoo: I didn't say i didn't like my company. I love the company i work for. I wasn't complaining at all. What i'm saying is that they are making it sound l
176 ANother: If this happens it is likely to affect my travel plans. Frankly, for whatever reason, travel with British Airways, and via Heathrow simply is no longe
177 Shamrock_747: There are proportionally far fewer BASSA members at LGW than LHR, and of those not many are likely to strike. Also, many crew at LGW literally couldn
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, you called. I honestly have nothing against the BA cabin crew personally, I flew LHR-SEA-LHR at Christmas, and they were great, it's just on this subject, I have to differ.
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