Jul 20, 2019, 3:27 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Quick answers to FAQ:
Help! What do I do now?
Most importantly, don't panic and don't do anything in haste. Read these FAQ. Read the thread, particularly the posts starting from the time that the strike dates were announced. Identify your options. Think about what works for you. Then take action. If you do anything in haste, you may have thrown away good options, or you may have thrown away money that you needn't have spent.
NOTE: Some emails have been sent out by mistake notifying the cancellation of flights on 8 September and other dates. If your booking still looks OK in MMB then you don't need to take further action. A cancelled flight should be shown in MMB with struck-through text. If your flight details are not struck through, then it probably hasn't actually been cancelled. You could check ba.com to see whether BA is still taking reservations for the flight in question. If so, then the flight has not been cancelled. You may also try checking on ExpertFlyer, if you have access, to see whether your flight appears still to be operating and whether BA is still taking reservations. However, some afternoon/evening flights on 8 September have genuinely been cancelled. See main thread for details.
Has a strike been called yet?
Yes. BALPA, the pilots' union, has voted in favour of strike action, and the Court of Appeal has rejected BA's submission to have the poll set aside, so the legal process is now over. The two parties went back into talks after the legal proceedings and those talks were expected to continue into the week of 5 August.
BALPA on 23 Aug announced strikes on Monday 9 September Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
Any further strikes normally require 2 weeks notice under UK legislation.
What flights may be affected?
LHR and LGW based flights. Not LCY or STN flights. Both cabin and flight crew are in dispute with BA, but the pilots (captains, senior first officers, first officers) are closest to strike action.
How long would a strike last?
The initial strikes are for two days the a single day, with normal working in between. Any other strikes could be of any length. It would be rare in the UK for there to be a full time strike.
What would happen to my flights if it is a strike day?
A range of options have been announced, see post 1551 below for more information: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...l#post31451055
and BA Trade Site guidance here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=7594
Rebooking is now allowed on Iberia, AA, Finnair, JAL and Qatar. Within Europe EI and Vueling are also allowed. This is for both revenue and redemption flights.
and the FAQ on BA.com here (this includes information on BA Holidays bookings which are substantially different): https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...st-information
Can I do anything with an existing booking now?
Yes. Your options are different depending on whether your flights are currently showing as cancelled or not. See the links above.
What about Heathrow staff - aren't their strikes planned there too?
Yes there is a separate dispute at the moment between Heathrow Airport (HAL) and their staff such as those who operate the security checkpoints. See the separate thread on the issue.
Am I protected by EC261 if there is a problem?
You are always covered by the Right to Care provisions of Regulation EC261. You could potentially be able to claim compensation for delays, cancellations and downgrades caused by BA staff action too, but not for HAL strikes (for cancellations only if there is flight is less than 14 day’s notice). See the main EC261 thread in the BA Forum Dashboard.
Help! What do I do now?
Most importantly, don't panic and don't do anything in haste. Read these FAQ. Read the thread, particularly the posts starting from the time that the strike dates were announced. Identify your options. Think about what works for you. Then take action. If you do anything in haste, you may have thrown away good options, or you may have thrown away money that you needn't have spent.
NOTE: Some emails have been sent out by mistake notifying the cancellation of flights on 8 September and other dates. If your booking still looks OK in MMB then you don't need to take further action. A cancelled flight should be shown in MMB with struck-through text. If your flight details are not struck through, then it probably hasn't actually been cancelled. You could check ba.com to see whether BA is still taking reservations for the flight in question. If so, then the flight has not been cancelled. You may also try checking on ExpertFlyer, if you have access, to see whether your flight appears still to be operating and whether BA is still taking reservations. However, some afternoon/evening flights on 8 September have genuinely been cancelled. See main thread for details.
Has a strike been called yet?
Yes. BALPA, the pilots' union, has voted in favour of strike action, and the Court of Appeal has rejected BA's submission to have the poll set aside, so the legal process is now over. The two parties went back into talks after the legal proceedings and those talks were expected to continue into the week of 5 August.
BALPA on 23 Aug announced strikes on Monday 9 September Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
Any further strikes normally require 2 weeks notice under UK legislation.
What flights may be affected?
LHR and LGW based flights. Not LCY or STN flights. Both cabin and flight crew are in dispute with BA, but the pilots (captains, senior first officers, first officers) are closest to strike action.
How long would a strike last?
The initial strikes are for two days the a single day, with normal working in between. Any other strikes could be of any length. It would be rare in the UK for there to be a full time strike.
What would happen to my flights if it is a strike day?
A range of options have been announced, see post 1551 below for more information: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...l#post31451055
and BA Trade Site guidance here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=7594
Rebooking is now allowed on Iberia, AA, Finnair, JAL and Qatar. Within Europe EI and Vueling are also allowed. This is for both revenue and redemption flights.
and the FAQ on BA.com here (this includes information on BA Holidays bookings which are substantially different): https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...st-information
Can I do anything with an existing booking now?
Yes. Your options are different depending on whether your flights are currently showing as cancelled or not. See the links above.
What about Heathrow staff - aren't their strikes planned there too?
Yes there is a separate dispute at the moment between Heathrow Airport (HAL) and their staff such as those who operate the security checkpoints. See the separate thread on the issue.
Am I protected by EC261 if there is a problem?
You are always covered by the Right to Care provisions of Regulation EC261. You could potentially be able to claim compensation for delays, cancellations and downgrades caused by BA staff action too, but not for HAL strikes (for cancellations only if there is flight is less than 14 day’s notice). See the main EC261 thread in the BA Forum Dashboard.
LHR/LGW pilots (BALPA) industrial action 9 Sep, 10 Sep, and 27 Sep
Jun 22, 2019, 5:24 am
#151
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Cairo/Toronto/vacation time
Posts: 45
Not sure if this is related but I’m flying back to Cairo in August 22/23 my flight from YYZ to LHR is BA but my LHR-CAI is now in red and operated by Air Belgium... I just happened to check the BA app... no email notification as of yet about this change (though I’m really not sure if they email because of that) still flight BA 0155
Jun 22, 2019, 5:42 am
#152
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 113
It's also not something everyone has the luxury of - peoples' parents may no longer have spare bedrooms, have passed, gotten kicked out, etc. Sounds like Jersey needs to deal with house prices or salaries, not have the standard be multi-generational living.
Jun 22, 2019, 6:08 am
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,203
Not sure if this is related but I’m flying back to Cairo in August 22/23 my flight from YYZ to LHR is BA but my LHR-CAI is now in red and operated by Air Belgium... I just happened to check the BA app... no email notification as of yet about this change (though I’m really not sure if they email because of that) still flight BA 0155
Jun 22, 2019, 6:22 am
#154
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Not sure if this is related but I’m flying back to Cairo in August 22/23 my flight from YYZ to LHR is BA but my LHR-CAI is now in red and operated by Air Belgium... I just happened to check the BA app... no email notification as of yet about this change (though I’m really not sure if they email because of that) still flight BA 0155
Jun 22, 2019, 6:37 am
#155
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 238
Has it ever occurred to you that this balance is too far to the side of capital? View it this way, when IAG, for an industry, are taking super profits compared to the industry and in large to most industrial groupings that it is in fact employees who are subsidising dividends, thus productivity achieved by the company off the employees is too high?
It’s pseudo economics to think paying employees higher wages equals business instability.
It’s pseudo economics to think paying employees higher wages equals business instability.
Jun 22, 2019, 7:02 am
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
I didn’t say it was ‘standard’, but it’s quite common. Staying somewhat OT, we have a constantly growing population and a significant housing shortage. Indeed, today’s local paper headline says “106,800 people ... and still no population policy”. Does that read across to the UK scenario? Possibly ‘yes’.
Last edited by T8191; Jun 22, 2019 at 7:09 am
Jun 22, 2019, 7:13 am
#157
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,646
Large companes like BA also have social responsibilities. Underpaying their staff means that those staff have less money to spend in their communities which negatively affects other businesses. And poorly paid staff are more likely to be eligible for state benefits which we all pay for and thus indirectly subsidise BA profits.
Jun 22, 2019, 7:16 am
#158
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,274
Sweetsleep,
Firstly, none of us have any idea about whether or not there will be a strike. All a ballot does is test the water...........do the employees really want a strike? A lot of them are positive, as voting yes costs nothing, and gives the negotiators a bit of confidence.
So even if the ballot is strongly in favour of a strike, it just leads on to more negotiations. From day to day, no-one knows where these will lead!
The probability of your flight being impacted is pretty low. Personally, I would not worry.
If you want to do some pre-planning on a just in case basis - the London Tube, Piccadilly Line - at LHR takes you direct to Kings Cross, the station you will want to use to get to Edinburgh. Large suitcases can be taken on to both the London Tube and the train lines to Scotland. The trains from Kings Cross to Edinburgh are fine, but late bookings are expensive. The Edinburgh station is reasonably central.
Firstly, none of us have any idea about whether or not there will be a strike. All a ballot does is test the water...........do the employees really want a strike? A lot of them are positive, as voting yes costs nothing, and gives the negotiators a bit of confidence.
So even if the ballot is strongly in favour of a strike, it just leads on to more negotiations. From day to day, no-one knows where these will lead!
The probability of your flight being impacted is pretty low. Personally, I would not worry.
If you want to do some pre-planning on a just in case basis - the London Tube, Piccadilly Line - at LHR takes you direct to Kings Cross, the station you will want to use to get to Edinburgh. Large suitcases can be taken on to both the London Tube and the train lines to Scotland. The trains from Kings Cross to Edinburgh are fine, but late bookings are expensive. The Edinburgh station is reasonably central.
Jun 22, 2019, 7:17 am
#159
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: BA blue,, aeroplan 25K
Posts: 1,029
All of the three disputes IMHO are worthy and have validity. As the ex COO of a transit organisation in Canada - I have learnt that the vast majority of crew, pilots (operators) or whoever are real people with real lives and family and care about doing a good job. (despite some of my reviews!!)
I can't comment on the pilot's cause, but Gatwick crew have been left behind for years in terms of T&Cs under the guise of competing with Norwegian. Speaking of which the same argument has been used for mixed fleet. I have to say, I am not a fan of the MF quality of service in business / first class, but they work hard, are pleasant and work under way worse conditions. I know they choose to do this, but that doesn't give BA licence to take the p**s. Worst salary, more days at work, different hotels, stricter standards on appearance and performance, airport standby, few rest days after long flights, and more nimble rostering doing the mix of SH / LH which must mean they can be pushed closed to the limits of any agreement.
The fact these disputes have been grumbling away in the background shows arrogance and a lack of humility by the BA Management negotiating team. Removing perks were merely petty, and showed such a bad misuse of power in a punitive way. That doesn't mean that crew or pilots should get everything, but some tacit acknowledgement and movement towards the middle ground is a win / win situation and shows a mature and ethical HR team and policy. . Ignoring employees who are not happy does not end well for anyone - management or staff. Unhappy staff will often reflect this in the service they offer. (I can remember the many comments during the cuts of - "Sir - I agree these cuts have gone too far but they won't listen to us?")
A progressive BA in it's 100th year should listen to employees and reward them for their performance over the years. BA100 is meant to be positive year for the company, customers and staff. It also makes good business sense to retain, motivate and incentivise staff (I wonder what the turnover is on mixed fleet) with some concessions traded off against items on the company shopping list. If BA end up in a strike situation, it will be a failure of BA to manage employees and deal with long term issues. Sure, the unions and employees have a role to play but it takes two to tango.
PS - out here in Toronto, BA100 is a damp squib. No marmite, no IPA in the lounge, no livered 747s - just an Air Belgium A340 operating one of the heathrow flights, an outsourced lounge and a reduction in seat numbers and reward flights. Bah humbug!
I can't comment on the pilot's cause, but Gatwick crew have been left behind for years in terms of T&Cs under the guise of competing with Norwegian. Speaking of which the same argument has been used for mixed fleet. I have to say, I am not a fan of the MF quality of service in business / first class, but they work hard, are pleasant and work under way worse conditions. I know they choose to do this, but that doesn't give BA licence to take the p**s. Worst salary, more days at work, different hotels, stricter standards on appearance and performance, airport standby, few rest days after long flights, and more nimble rostering doing the mix of SH / LH which must mean they can be pushed closed to the limits of any agreement.
The fact these disputes have been grumbling away in the background shows arrogance and a lack of humility by the BA Management negotiating team. Removing perks were merely petty, and showed such a bad misuse of power in a punitive way. That doesn't mean that crew or pilots should get everything, but some tacit acknowledgement and movement towards the middle ground is a win / win situation and shows a mature and ethical HR team and policy. . Ignoring employees who are not happy does not end well for anyone - management or staff. Unhappy staff will often reflect this in the service they offer. (I can remember the many comments during the cuts of - "Sir - I agree these cuts have gone too far but they won't listen to us?")
A progressive BA in it's 100th year should listen to employees and reward them for their performance over the years. BA100 is meant to be positive year for the company, customers and staff. It also makes good business sense to retain, motivate and incentivise staff (I wonder what the turnover is on mixed fleet) with some concessions traded off against items on the company shopping list. If BA end up in a strike situation, it will be a failure of BA to manage employees and deal with long term issues. Sure, the unions and employees have a role to play but it takes two to tango.
PS - out here in Toronto, BA100 is a damp squib. No marmite, no IPA in the lounge, no livered 747s - just an Air Belgium A340 operating one of the heathrow flights, an outsourced lounge and a reduction in seat numbers and reward flights. Bah humbug!
As a relatively infrequent flyer on BA the last few years (since my daughter has moved back to North America) I now only fly TATL 2-3 times a year.
Not even enough to maintain decent status and having been a victim of more than one BA “industrial action” my tolerance for it is ZERO. I have now cancelled my Ba flights in Aug and Sept to the UK and booked them on Air Canada. I flew the AC J product a few weeks ago and it was far superior to BA’s J product in all respects and I was most surprised. The lounge in YYZ was fab, as was the rest of the trip. The only comparison IMHO is the CCR at LHR is better than anything AC has but only because the booze is better. The food in YYZ’s new signature lounge is much better. And the VAT refund in T5 way better than T2 haha. And of course BA F is better but not by much that AC J
If BA doesn’t listen very carefully to its employees here And finds itself with a strike of any length and with significant disruptions and that includes travellers simply not knowing if their future travel is going to happen, I guarantee I won’t be the only one who will have had it with BA.....
There are many options for most routes now.
Jun 22, 2019, 7:18 am
#160
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 439
Not sure if this is related but I’m flying back to Cairo in August 22/23 my flight from YYZ to LHR is BA but my LHR-CAI is now in red and operated by Air Belgium... I just happened to check the BA app... no email notification as of yet about this change (though I’m really not sure if they email because of that) still flight BA 0155
Jun 22, 2019, 11:08 am
#161
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,164
Not sure if this is related but I’m flying back to Cairo in August 22/23 my flight from YYZ to LHR is BA but my LHR-CAI is now in red and operated by Air Belgium... I just happened to check the BA app... no email notification as of yet about this change (though I’m really not sure if they email because of that) still flight BA 0155
Jun 22, 2019, 11:42 am
#162
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club Blue
Posts: 969
I would t worry too much about this until it happens if it happens. A ballot and announcement of strikes if that’s the result might concentrate BAs minds a bit,
Typically train fares in the UK for longer distance journeys are very expensive if purchased on the day or at short notice. This is particularly true if an air strike is known to be taking g place people will book alternatives in advance.
Realistically as Edinburgh is served by quite a few BA flights a day and Glasgow and Newcastle not that far away, if the flight you are booked on is cancelled, depending on the level of industrial action there’s a good chance that your u will be rebooked fairly closely to your flight and destination
Jun 22, 2019, 12:58 pm
#163
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MSY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Plat, VS Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,531
SAS has taken the same position on their recent labor struggles. I'm assuming someone will sue them over it.
Jun 22, 2019, 1:36 pm
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Jun 23, 2019, 12:34 am
#165
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 778
Hello I am due to book to fly out of LGW to Genoa on 25 August (although flights yet to be booked) and fly back from FCO to LGW ten days later. Should I go ahead and book or should I hold fire for now - please can anybody advise me? Many thanks