Dec 13, 2016, 11:12 pm
Last edit by: NWIFlyer
Routes to/from LGW*/LCY/STN are NOT affected. Only flights to/from LHR* are potentially affected. If you think you may be affected, post 2714 (click here) may be helpful.
*The LGW-JFK flight has seen a lot of cancellations for the current strike period.
Current strike period:
Next announced strike period:
Previous strike periods:
Routes affected:
As a possible indication, for the fifth strike period BA announced the following cancellations:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27910044-post2131.html as well as flights to and from Doha on all affected days (17 - 20 February).
Mixed fleet routes are listed here, though note that other (non Mixed Fleet) flights from Heathrow are also being cancelled.
Note for context in terms of how many routes might actually be affected: there are about 4000 members of MF (of which ~2,700 are Unite members and therefore eligible to take industrial action) and 15,000 total cabin crew
Background Details from BA:
Strike 19th July-1st August
2nd August-16th August
Background Details from Unite:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/br...ty-pay-levels/
http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/br...refuses-talks/
Latest negotiating position:
Talks at ACAS in June appear to have failed, with a further two week strike commencing 1st July announced on 16th June.
Key upcoming dates:
Ballot results for industrial action:
*The LGW-JFK flight has seen a lot of cancellations for the current strike period.
Current strike period:
- None
Next announced strike period:
Previous strike periods:
- 25th December 2016 from 00:01 for 48 hours. (Strike action was suspended following ACAS discussions and revised offer.)
- 10th & 11th January 2017
- 19th January 2017 for 72 hours until 21st January
- 5th-7th & 9th-11th February 2017
- 17th-20th February 2017
- 22nd-25th February 2017
- 3rd-9th March 2017
- 16th-19th June 2017 (suspended pending further ACAS talks)
- 1st-16th July 2017
- 19th July-1st August 2017
- 2nd-15th August 2017
- 16th-30th August 2017
Routes affected:
As a possible indication, for the fifth strike period BA announced the following cancellations:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27910044-post2131.html as well as flights to and from Doha on all affected days (17 - 20 February).
Mixed fleet routes are listed here, though note that other (non Mixed Fleet) flights from Heathrow are also being cancelled.
Note for context in terms of how many routes might actually be affected: there are about 4000 members of MF (of which ~2,700 are Unite members and therefore eligible to take industrial action) and 15,000 total cabin crew
Background Details from BA:
Strike 19th July-1st August
2nd August-16th August
Background Details from Unite:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/br...ty-pay-levels/
http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/br...refuses-talks/
Latest negotiating position:
Talks at ACAS in June appear to have failed, with a further two week strike commencing 1st July announced on 16th June.
Key upcoming dates:
- Latest negotiated position (@ 23rd Oct 2017) between BA & Unite to be balloted. Rumoured that the union is recommending acceptance.
Ballot results for industrial action:
- First ballot, November 2016: Yes 79.5%, No 20.5%
- Second ballot, December 2016: Yes 70%, No 30%
- Third ballot, March 2017: Yes 56%, No 44%, turnout 72%
BA 'Mixed Fleet' cabin crew dispute [agreement reached]
Dec 16, 2016, 5:10 pm
#751
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
Is the strike potentially greater than the announced two days? It seems odd that it would be isolated to only two days - is the possibility of future dates being announced looming out there? I'm good on my 12/22 outbound, but have a 1/1 return from VIE through LHR, which is on the list of affected routes.
Dec 16, 2016, 5:35 pm
#752
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: BHD
Posts: 133
In a simple word, Yes.
The ballot gives the union a legal right to strike but there are a lot of 'i's to be dotted and 't's to be crossed to keep it legal. Strikes must be called in a certain amount time and a certain amount of notice must be given. I can't remember the exact parameters so don't know when your 1/1 flight will be 'safe'.
I would hold a lot of support for the cabin crew involved in this. Good luck to you all.
Dec 16, 2016, 5:51 pm
#753
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,200
In a simple word, Yes.
The ballot gives the union a legal right to strike but there are a lot of 'i's to be dotted and 't's to be crossed to keep it legal. Strikes must be called in a certain amount time and a certain amount of notice must be given. I can't remember the exact parameters so don't know when your 1/1 flight will be 'safe'.
I would hold a lot of support for the cabin crew involved in this. Good luck to you all.
The ballot gives the union a legal right to strike but there are a lot of 'i's to be dotted and 't's to be crossed to keep it legal. Strikes must be called in a certain amount time and a certain amount of notice must be given. I can't remember the exact parameters so don't know when your 1/1 flight will be 'safe'.
I would hold a lot of support for the cabin crew involved in this. Good luck to you all.
BTW I am also on a flight on the 1st but BA had said long haul is safe.
Dec 16, 2016, 5:53 pm
#754
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
If the staff aren't happy, they should just quit.
Life doesn't revolve about them, there are other jobs they can get (or for most of them, based on the BA requirement for an EU passport), I'm sure benefits are available for them.
Why become a pawn in the UK wide union struggle for power right now from the unions?
Life doesn't revolve about them, there are other jobs they can get (or for most of them, based on the BA requirement for an EU passport), I'm sure benefits are available for them.
Why become a pawn in the UK wide union struggle for power right now from the unions?
Dec 16, 2016, 5:56 pm
#755
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,200
If the staff aren't happy, they should just quit.
Life doesn't revolve about them, there are other jobs they can get (or for most of them, based on the BA requirement for an EU passport), I'm sure benefits are available for them.
Why become a pawn in the UK wide union struggle for power right now from the unions?
Life doesn't revolve about them, there are other jobs they can get (or for most of them, based on the BA requirement for an EU passport), I'm sure benefits are available for them.
Why become a pawn in the UK wide union struggle for power right now from the unions?
And as for your 'just quit' comment I'd like to see BA manage if 2,000 crew did just resign en masse.
Dec 16, 2016, 6:06 pm
#756
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
And unlike previous cabin crew strikes, these MF crew have nothing to lose. At these low salaries, they could be earning the same in other service industry jobs. Previously BA had some power because highly paid WW crew didn't have anywhere to go except retire. This crew can just throw in the towel.
Dec 16, 2016, 6:18 pm
#757
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,928
Why is it naive? Your flights are outside the strike dates, moreover BA has said it will operate its long haul services to schedule with only MF short haul routes under threat of disruption. Now calm down dear.
Dec 16, 2016, 6:23 pm
#758
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,992
And unlike previous cabin crew strikes, these MF crew have nothing to lose. At these low salaries, they could be earning the same in other service industry jobs. Previously BA had some power because highly paid WW crew didn't have anywhere to go except retire. This crew can just throw in the towel.
Dec 16, 2016, 6:40 pm
#760
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,499
The BA Twitter team are having a bit of a hard time tonight. Not many people seem to agree with them.
E.g.
https://twitter.com/matt_aylmer/stat...94089592291328
E.g.
https://twitter.com/matt_aylmer/stat...94089592291328
Dec 16, 2016, 8:02 pm
#761
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,584
The BA Twitter team are having a bit of a hard time tonight. Not many people seem to agree with them.
E.g.
https://twitter.com/matt_aylmer/stat...94089592291328
E.g.
https://twitter.com/matt_aylmer/stat...94089592291328
Dec 16, 2016, 11:30 pm
#763
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PARADISE
Programs: LOTS
Posts: 133
And unlike previous cabin crew strikes, these MF crew have nothing to lose. At these low salaries, they could be earning the same in other service industry jobs. Previously BA had some power because highly paid WW crew didn't have anywhere to go except retire. This crew can just throw in the towel.
If the pay & conditions are so awful, why did these poor, naive people apply for these appalling jobs in the first place? The T&Cs haven't been downgraded since MF was introduced.
The worst thing about it is having the TV news screens full of the odious Len McClunky for the next few weeks until the Unite members capitulate, just as they did last time.
Dec 16, 2016, 11:31 pm
#764
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 373
As with most strikes, the unknown is indirect striking and staff support through sickness. BA cannot afford any other unknown on the day, either, including weather and technical issues but these will also be factored into their risk and contingency plans. Low load flights, including long haul, will probably be cancelled and merged with other services over the next week. I was flying to JFK during the last strike and got there but not on the flight I had initially booked.
I fully support the crew but this is likely to be another drawn out issue which will impact on bookings.
I fully support the crew but this is likely to be another drawn out issue which will impact on bookings.
Dec 17, 2016, 12:02 am
#765
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
A lot of this pre-supposes that WW will cover the MF flights. I would think that no flight is safe as safer everyone has been called off reserve, there is nothing left to cover the usual gaps for sickness.
I would take anything that BA say as posturing and make your own contingency plans.
I would take anything that BA say as posturing and make your own contingency plans.