Cabin Crew vote for a Strike [now postponed]
Dec 14, 2009, 9:12 am
#76
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
Its brightened my mood some what, I'll get Silver if they give me my 150 for both the strike flight and the rebooked, something I would never have bothered with otherwise!
Dec 14, 2009, 9:14 am
#77
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 9,236
Ah, I see. I wasn't sure if the "British Leyland" attitude you mentioned was criticising the management or the union members. No worries. ^
Dec 14, 2009, 9:14 am
#78
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine, & London, UK
Programs: BA Gold; HH Gold; M&M; PS Classic; VV Silver (deceased); BD Silver (deceased).
Posts: 3,604
Dec 14, 2009, 9:19 am
#80
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 54
Assuming the strikes go ahead how does it work with cabin crew operating as normal on December 21st for longhauls ex-LHR. As they're due to layover somewhere for a night or two would they operate back to LHR as normal. I struggle to believe crew would stay downroute for 2 weeks and sit out the strike!
I'm due to fly to the UK (ex-US) on 12/23 and am trying to figure out if I'm good.
I'm due to fly to the UK (ex-US) on 12/23 and am trying to figure out if I'm good.
AF
Dec 14, 2009, 9:32 am
#81
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, several other less interesting cards...
Posts: 3,712
Dec 14, 2009, 9:32 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
London City flights in Europe are operated by the CityFlyer subsidiary crew whom have a different agreement from Mainline BA. Things have changed a lot since I left, but someone else more in the know with the most recent changes might be able to confirm.
It could well be that LCY flights are not impacted by the action.
It could well be that LCY flights are not impacted by the action.
Dec 14, 2009, 9:40 am
#84
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,024
If they leave crew down route BA will have to pay them full allowences. Could be a nice touch for some crew!!!
Dec 14, 2009, 9:45 am
#86
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
Lemmings and Dodos
Hohum, keep away from the white cliffs of Dover, here come the lemmings...
This is very sad for BA but much worse for cabincrew since the problem for BA is not Losses, albiet bad enough, but its catastrophic pension deficit, which has resulted in Iberia driving for the toughest terms. You'd think any European airline would leap at the opportunity to partner up with Europes biggest international airline with all the plum slots at the plummest airport of all, Heathrow (No, I am not a fan of Heathrow but its unrivalled position as the Euro hub is undeniable). BA is a basketcase and its now simply flying to keep its pension obligations paying out, much the same way as GM operated till it went bust...
So what happens if the union wins? Costs contrinue to rise, profits continue to fall, until one day the cash runs out. If there is a bailout (and that's difficult to imagine in view of EU rules) does anyone think it will include the pension scheme?
You'd think that the unions would want to be on their best behaviour, dressing in their slinkiest number to ensure Iberia remained besotted with this once iconic airline, but no...
Make no mistake, I don't doubt the aircrew have genuine grievances and a 95% vote in favour of a strike shows just how badly management has fouled up. But the union's not in a position of any strength precisely because BA's in a critically weak position. Its like watching 2 Dodos fighting... together they're weak, seperated they're puny and the result of the fight effects nobody but themselves since they've long been superceded by leaner birds that actually fly!!
This is very sad for BA but much worse for cabincrew since the problem for BA is not Losses, albiet bad enough, but its catastrophic pension deficit, which has resulted in Iberia driving for the toughest terms. You'd think any European airline would leap at the opportunity to partner up with Europes biggest international airline with all the plum slots at the plummest airport of all, Heathrow (No, I am not a fan of Heathrow but its unrivalled position as the Euro hub is undeniable). BA is a basketcase and its now simply flying to keep its pension obligations paying out, much the same way as GM operated till it went bust...
So what happens if the union wins? Costs contrinue to rise, profits continue to fall, until one day the cash runs out. If there is a bailout (and that's difficult to imagine in view of EU rules) does anyone think it will include the pension scheme?
You'd think that the unions would want to be on their best behaviour, dressing in their slinkiest number to ensure Iberia remained besotted with this once iconic airline, but no...
Make no mistake, I don't doubt the aircrew have genuine grievances and a 95% vote in favour of a strike shows just how badly management has fouled up. But the union's not in a position of any strength precisely because BA's in a critically weak position. Its like watching 2 Dodos fighting... together they're weak, seperated they're puny and the result of the fight effects nobody but themselves since they've long been superceded by leaner birds that actually fly!!
Last edited by BrightlyBob; Dec 14, 2009 at 9:57 am
Dec 14, 2009, 9:51 am
#87
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,047
With so many thousands of pax affected, I can't see that BA can assist with carrier changes. The timing of the strike is totally disastrous and will cause unknown amounts of heartache and perhaps more loss of jobs for people in other industries, who either can't get to their destination or return.
Naturally, it is all very personal for everybody. My daughter's outbound flight from LHR (to NAS Dec. 19) is safe, but her return is within that period.
I looked at AA's site and they do have seats thru MIA but at the tune of $1.500. As a partner, would they accept the return portion of her BA flight?
I doubt it...she is but one (btw ~ she works for a large company where a pay freeze has been in affect for well over a year).
If this strike is indeed illegal, I think that BA should follow president Ronald Reagan's actions (air controller strike in 1981).
The impact of this strike on travellers will be much the same, except in this
case, the vast majority of pax were planning to reunite with their families
for one of the holiest days of Christianity. Imagine if Arab carriers planned to strike during the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Naturally, it is all very personal for everybody. My daughter's outbound flight from LHR (to NAS Dec. 19) is safe, but her return is within that period.
I looked at AA's site and they do have seats thru MIA but at the tune of $1.500. As a partner, would they accept the return portion of her BA flight?
I doubt it...she is but one (btw ~ she works for a large company where a pay freeze has been in affect for well over a year).
If this strike is indeed illegal, I think that BA should follow president Ronald Reagan's actions (air controller strike in 1981).
The impact of this strike on travellers will be much the same, except in this
case, the vast majority of pax were planning to reunite with their families
for one of the holiest days of Christianity. Imagine if Arab carriers planned to strike during the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Dec 14, 2009, 9:53 am
#88
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 59
Dec 14, 2009, 9:54 am
#89
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Earth
Programs: Proud owner of 3 Mucci's (yes, 3!) the latest being Chevaliere des Bains Chauds, BA Silver (6 yrs)
Posts: 10,985
I agree. BA will have working behind the scenes on contingency plans as they were expecting the vote in favour of strike action.
Please let's just wait and see how things pan out in the next day or two.
And please remember this strike is related to changes in terms & conditions and contracts, not pay.
Please let's just wait and see how things pan out in the next day or two.
And please remember this strike is related to changes in terms & conditions and contracts, not pay.
Dec 14, 2009, 9:54 am
#90
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC (Gold), Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 4,168
The impact of this strike on travellers will be much the same, except in this case, the vast majority of pax were planning to reunite with their families for one of the holiest days of Christianity. Imagine if Arab carriers planned to strike during the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
BAH