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 14, 2019, 10:40 am
#2086
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon or Costa Alegre take your pick
Programs: AS MVPG,
Posts: 1,066
What are the chances these industrial actions continue on into the next 3 months? We don't fly until December but were counting on BA. Anyone care to illuminate for me?
P.S. I just got a survey about my BA loyalty. I mentioned that the strike tarnished the airways image. They should pay each employee the wage that the market sets or higher for the job done. I did say happy employees make for a better company. Sorry stock holders it is for the greater good of our favorite airline.
P.S. I just got a survey about my BA loyalty. I mentioned that the strike tarnished the airways image. They should pay each employee the wage that the market sets or higher for the job done. I did say happy employees make for a better company. Sorry stock holders it is for the greater good of our favorite airline.
Sep 14, 2019, 10:45 am
#2087
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
As well as that, it's still not off-season when spare capacity is much more readily available...
Sep 14, 2019, 11:00 am
#2088
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
What kind of a deal do you think that BALPA should have negotiated at the time of the pay cuts?
Sep 14, 2019, 11:15 am
#2089
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,992
What are the chances these industrial actions continue on into the next 3 months? We don't fly until December but were counting on BA. Anyone care to illuminate for me?
P.S. I just got a survey about my BA loyalty. I mentioned that the strike tarnished the airways image. They should pay each employee the wage that the market sets or higher for the job done. I did say happy employees make for a better company. Sorry stock holders it is for the greater good of our favorite airline.
P.S. I just got a survey about my BA loyalty. I mentioned that the strike tarnished the airways image. They should pay each employee the wage that the market sets or higher for the job done. I did say happy employees make for a better company. Sorry stock holders it is for the greater good of our favorite airline.
Sep 14, 2019, 11:22 am
#2090
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
More importantly, what puzzles me is that people look at what the company is making or what the CEO is making - I just don't understand that. I just don't think about 'me' in that equation; I also try to think from the company's point of view.
I am all for people getting more money and better employment terms but things are not as black and white as some to portray here.
Sep 14, 2019, 11:26 am
#2091
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
As I said before, honouring your promises never goes out of fashion. Especially when the promises are about what you will do when the good times are back, and good times then do come back.
Sep 14, 2019, 11:27 am
#2092
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,597
I wish we knew the full truth about this set of "concessions". We know BALPA gave them. From memory, 2.6% on salary reduced, and more reduced on some of the "extras". Do BA believe they have paid them back?
If they have not, that is not the behaviour of a Great Employer.
If they have not, that is not the behaviour of a Great Employer.
Sep 14, 2019, 11:28 am
#2093
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,630
Sep 14, 2019, 11:58 am
#2095
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
It seems that BA did make an offer to make up for the cuts that the pilots were asked to make, which the pilots are not happy with. It is now a different kind of game.
How come we're discussing it here, then?
And you seem to be wanting for everyone to agree with you and to take BALPA's side without knowing all the facts. That is strange. If the matter is private, and surely we're not privy to what is going on, we should not be talking about it at all?
Last edited by Andriyko; Sep 14, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Sep 14, 2019, 12:06 pm
#2096
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
I am all for honouring promises, and I pride myself for being the man of my word (however silly it sounds).
It seems that BA did make an offer to make up for the cuts that the pilots were asked to make, which the pilots are not happy with. It is now a different kind of game.
How come we're discussing it here, then?
And you seem to be wanting for everyone to agree with you and to take BALPA's side without knowing all the facts. That is strange. If the matter is private, and surely we're not privy to what is going on, we should not be talking about it at all?
It seems that BA did make an offer to make up for the cuts that the pilots were asked to make, which the pilots are not happy with. It is now a different kind of game.
How come we're discussing it here, then?
And you seem to be wanting for everyone to agree with you and to take BALPA's side without knowing all the facts. That is strange. If the matter is private, and surely we're not privy to what is going on, we should not be talking about it at all?
I was broadly neutral on this (“he said, she said”) until BA massively messed up their management of the strike and seem to prefer retaliation and blame to genuine progress.
Sep 14, 2019, 12:35 pm
#2097
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
Sure, speculate away. But when people say 'I'm with the pilots,' I wonder whether it's because they think that BA is in the wrong simply because it is BA and it is in vogue to dislike the company on Flyertalk. How can one say that BA should just give the pilots what they want without knowing what it is that they want?
Sep 14, 2019, 12:43 pm
#2098
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
Sure, speculate away. But when people say 'I'm with the pilots,' I wonder whether it's because they think that BA is in the wrong simply because it is BA and it is in vogue to dislike the company on Flyertalk. How can one say that BA should just give the pilots what they want without knowing what it is that they want?
- can they point to allowances etc. being restored in some way
- can they say that pilots have been treated on a par with other employees since 2007 (not just this offer)
- if they laid off the cheap and superficial attack lines of “pilots already earn X”
- if they condemned the hatchet jobs by certain media outlets harassing the BALPA secretary and his family on holiday
- if they weren’t so blatantly briefing or encouraging the same press with stories about certain pilots commuting from Sydney or leaving abroad and not paying tax etc.
At BA open day a few years ago I was chatting to a pilot who was missing some family event or other because of the way rostering was working. So there’s been issues for a long while beyond just $€£
Sep 14, 2019, 1:30 pm
#2099
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Because BA haven’t rebutted the arguments coherently, if they did I could change my mind based on that, e.g.
- can they point to allowances etc. being restored in some way
- can they say that pilots have been treated on a par with other employees since 2007 (not just this offer)
- if they laid off the cheap and superficial attack lines of “pilots already earn X”
- if they condemned the hatchet jobs by certain media outlets harassing the BALPA secretary and his family on holiday
- if they weren’t so blatantly briefing or encouraging the same press with stories about certain pilots commuting from Sydney or leaving abroad and not paying tax etc.
At BA open day a few years ago I was chatting to a pilot who was missing some family event or other because of the way rostering was working. So there’s been issues for a long while beyond just $€£
- can they point to allowances etc. being restored in some way
- can they say that pilots have been treated on a par with other employees since 2007 (not just this offer)
- if they laid off the cheap and superficial attack lines of “pilots already earn X”
- if they condemned the hatchet jobs by certain media outlets harassing the BALPA secretary and his family on holiday
- if they weren’t so blatantly briefing or encouraging the same press with stories about certain pilots commuting from Sydney or leaving abroad and not paying tax etc.
At BA open day a few years ago I was chatting to a pilot who was missing some family event or other because of the way rostering was working. So there’s been issues for a long while beyond just $€£
They might as well strike because ba is becoming worse and worse in some areas, they might get more public sympathy then!
Sep 14, 2019, 1:35 pm
#2100
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
this is ridiculous, they are paid well and they know very well a pilots life takes you away from home, I even spoke with a ba captain who tells me he does short haul because he wants to be with his family more!
They might as well strike because ba is becoming worse and worse in some areas, they might get more public sympathy then!
They might as well strike because ba is becoming worse and worse in some areas, they might get more public sympathy then!