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
Sep 5, 2019, 3:43 am
#1636
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Emirates Skywards Silver
Posts: 170
Chatting to cabin crew on an outbound flight 2 days ago, they said that some of their colleagues will really suffer financially if the strike goes ahead. Part of cabin crew package is a component for hours flown and the strikes could impact this heavily depending on their rota.
Sep 5, 2019, 3:59 am
#1637
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,153
Release date: 05/09/2019
The British Airline Pilots Association says it could call off proposed strikes set for 9th and 10th September if British Airways agrees to come back to the negotiating table.The pilots’ union has put forward a new proposal in a letter to BA CEO Alex Cruz in a bid to come to a deal with the company.
The strikes, voted in favour by 93% of BALPA’s BA members, could still go ahead if the airline continues to refuse meaningful discussions.
BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said:
“Our members’ resolve is very strong and they remain very angry with BA, but they also want to leave no stone unturned in trying to find a resolution to their dispute.
“Avoiding strike action and agreeing a deal with their pilots surely must be the desired outcome for British Airways.
“We urge BA to join us to discuss the new proposal – which shows pilots are willing to be flexible but still stand united in getting a better deal.”
Sep 5, 2019, 4:40 am
#1639
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
This thread - Surprisingly, a positive experience from the strike - reminded me of an occasion when I picked up a dirt cheap day trip ticket the day before the day of the cancelled strike to pop over to AMS to have lunch with a friend.
Sep 5, 2019, 8:56 am
#1640
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Programs: MUCCI; BAEC Lifetime Gold; Marriott Bonvoy Emeritus Titanium; Hertz#1, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 3,214
Sep 5, 2019, 9:57 am
#1642
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,627
According to the BBC web site BA have said they will attend talks without precondition, but that they think the latest BALPA proposal is taking the p*ss.
I assume that BA have already incurred the cost of rebooking people they think will be affected, so I wonder what incentive there is for them to meet before the first round of strikes.
I assume that BA have already incurred the cost of rebooking people they think will be affected, so I wonder what incentive there is for them to meet before the first round of strikes.
Sep 5, 2019, 10:25 am
#1643
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 16
Question
2 questions -
1. Does the recent news re the strikes on 9 and 10 September being called off mean that the strikes as a whole will be called off (ie that pilots will no longer be on strike) or does it just mean that the 9 and 10 strikes specifically will not go ahead?
2. I am flying BA on 3 October and am really hoping that the strikes are over by then - based on your experience do you think it will be still ongoing?
Edit - just seen BA rejected whatever BALPA offered today. How long does it usually take for airline strikes to be resolved!?
Thanks!
1. Does the recent news re the strikes on 9 and 10 September being called off mean that the strikes as a whole will be called off (ie that pilots will no longer be on strike) or does it just mean that the 9 and 10 strikes specifically will not go ahead?
2. I am flying BA on 3 October and am really hoping that the strikes are over by then - based on your experience do you think it will be still ongoing?
Edit - just seen BA rejected whatever BALPA offered today. How long does it usually take for airline strikes to be resolved!?
Thanks!
Sep 5, 2019, 10:27 am
#1644
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 311
Sep 5, 2019, 10:28 am
#1645
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
2 questions -
1. Does the recent news re the strikes on 9 and 10 September being called off mean that the strikes as a whole will be called off (ie that pilots will no longer be on strike) or does it just mean that the 9 and 10 strikes specifically will not go ahead?
2. I am flying BA on 3 October and am really hoping that the strikes are over by then - based on your experience do you think it will be still ongoing?
Thanks!
1. Does the recent news re the strikes on 9 and 10 September being called off mean that the strikes as a whole will be called off (ie that pilots will no longer be on strike) or does it just mean that the 9 and 10 strikes specifically will not go ahead?
2. I am flying BA on 3 October and am really hoping that the strikes are over by then - based on your experience do you think it will be still ongoing?
Thanks!
2. the next date announced is 27 september. no further dates are announced. a strike on 27 september should not impact flights on 3 october, but it is impossible to say at this stage whether this dispute will go in to october or whether there will be further strike dates in october
Sep 5, 2019, 10:54 am
#1646
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
This is what is says on the BBC :
In response, BA said: "We do not believe the union is acting in good faith by making an 11th-hour inflated proposal which would cost an additional £50m"
I thought the strikes cost £40m/day so this offer roughly costs the same as the cost for the strike on 27th September, but its unclear if the £50m is a one off cost or yearly.
In response, BA said: "We do not believe the union is acting in good faith by making an 11th-hour inflated proposal which would cost an additional £50m"
I thought the strikes cost £40m/day so this offer roughly costs the same as the cost for the strike on 27th September, but its unclear if the £50m is a one off cost or yearly.
Sep 5, 2019, 10:59 am
#1647
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,926
This is what is says on the BBC :
In response, BA said: "We do not believe the union is acting in good faith by making an 11th-hour inflated proposal which would cost an additional £50m"
I thought the strikes cost £40m/day so this offer roughly costs the same as the cost for the strike on 27th September, but its unclear if the £50m is a one off cost or yearly.
In response, BA said: "We do not believe the union is acting in good faith by making an 11th-hour inflated proposal which would cost an additional £50m"
I thought the strikes cost £40m/day so this offer roughly costs the same as the cost for the strike on 27th September, but its unclear if the £50m is a one off cost or yearly.
“BA strike still on after airline rejects union proposal”: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49591792
Sep 6, 2019, 2:52 am
#1649
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
It will be an environmental PR disaster for BA if they reinstate flights which will, literally, be going out 95% empty. They would be mad to do it.
It would only work if they did a 'fly for £1' promo where suddenly every seat was offered for £1.
It would only work if they did a 'fly for £1' promo where suddenly every seat was offered for £1.
Sep 6, 2019, 3:32 am
#1650
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK.
Programs: SQ LPPS, A3 *G, BA Silver aiming for Bronze
Posts: 1,506
Don't you think that would drive the environmental lobby even more crazy? Promoting cheap flying in a week where Extinction Rebellion are still threatening to cause chaos at LHR next Friday?