This neatly encapsulates the Industrial Relations Climate for BA Cabin Crew. Many Crew simply could not get alternative employment paying more, yet a sizeable proportion would in fact like to change jobs (not unreasonably as life changes e.g. marriage, children etc. affect their enthusiasm for the role).

In any organisation a workforce, containing a significant number of employees who feel "trapped" in their current role, leads to significant IR problems and increased TU militancy. I am sure that there are many crew who enjoy the lifestyle (for it is far more than just a job) for a significant period of time, I am equally sure that many start to hate the lifestyle (as would I I think if I had a very similar role for upwards of 30 years). BA has long had an unhealthily low attrition rate and this needs to change for the good of both the company and the staff IMHO. One thing which could be done is to equip crew members with additional skills and qualifications to enable them to take better paying jobs on the ground (within BA). Short ground duty rotations with no loss of pay would probably be helpful to some crew members too.

I have some sympathy with the crew in this dispute (which is rare for me) but having experienced "negotiations" with the BA TU's first hand, the pre-Thatcher style of Union Negotiation is alive and kicking within BASSA. The BASSA newsletter is a cracking read for those who find humour in absurd misrepresentation of the facts. It is hardly suprising therefore that the vote to strike was as conclusive as it was.

Luckily for me the strike gives me an opportunity to ignore a "BA Only" travel policy in place at a major client. On the other hand my already slim chance of retaining Gold is receeding still further