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
Jul 31, 2019, 6:41 am
#781
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
As I understand it, it is as you described... minimum notice of 14 days. So letter delivered by 12:00 on 02.08.2019 would about strike to begin 12:00 16.08.2019
Jul 31, 2019, 6:52 am
#782
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
I can’t recall a strike in the UK in the last 30+ years that has enjoyed widespread public support. People on here like to crap on about how NHS workers, firefighters are much more worthy. But when those groups have been on strike the debate switches, “gold plated public sector pensions”, “playing games with people’s lives”, etc etc. So i’m not sure that it’s worth anything that the public thinks pilots are greedy/overpaid, the public seems to think that all strikers are greedy and overpaid
worst case scenario, the public decides not to book any more flights with BA (many already don’t, many who do book with BA it comes down to lack of other options or cost effectiveness), the airline goes bust, what happens to the pilots? They go and take employment with the competition, who have been enlarging their fleets and actively recruiting because people have been boycotting BA
so I don’t personally believe that “public opinion” means anything here, sorry
worst case scenario, the public decides not to book any more flights with BA (many already don’t, many who do book with BA it comes down to lack of other options or cost effectiveness), the airline goes bust, what happens to the pilots? They go and take employment with the competition, who have been enlarging their fleets and actively recruiting because people have been boycotting BA
so I don’t personally believe that “public opinion” means anything here, sorry
Jul 31, 2019, 7:01 am
#783
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,239
I can’t recall a strike in the UK in the last 30+ years that has enjoyed widespread public support. People on here like to crap on about how NHS workers, firefighters are much more worthy. But when those groups have been on strike the debate switches, “gold plated public sector pensions”, “playing games with people’s lives”, etc etc. So i’m not sure that it’s worth anything that the public thinks pilots are greedy/overpaid, the public seems to think that all strikers are greedy and overpaid
worst case scenario, the public decides not to book any more flights with BA (many already don’t, many who do book with BA it comes down to lack of other options or cost effectiveness), the airline goes bust, what happens to the pilots? They go and take employment with the competition, who have been enlarging their fleets and actively recruiting because people have been boycotting BA
so I don’t personally believe that “public opinion” means anything here, sorry
worst case scenario, the public decides not to book any more flights with BA (many already don’t, many who do book with BA it comes down to lack of other options or cost effectiveness), the airline goes bust, what happens to the pilots? They go and take employment with the competition, who have been enlarging their fleets and actively recruiting because people have been boycotting BA
so I don’t personally believe that “public opinion” means anything here, sorry
Jul 31, 2019, 9:25 am
#787
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,747
Jul 31, 2019, 9:39 am
#788
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 373
The Press will generally only talk about emotive issues rather than present facts. Headlines that talk of “passenger fury”, “summer chaos” and “families left in tears” get people’s emotions fired up even though many of those families will come back and either send a complaint about the BA service, write a negative review about their experience or rant on social media about how BA has become a terrible no frills airline. And forgetting that the service has possibly got worse because of executive greed at the top. So if it’s not the strike and the pilots, it will be something else, including baggage belt issues. “Family furious after being left stranded in the Seychelles after BA forgot to load their bags” (Insert stock photo of family looking furious). Fury and chaos all over the UK!
Jul 31, 2019, 9:44 am
#789
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,570
Like others, I am potentially affected with flights to Asia end-August.
One possible scenario is that BA comes up with an improved proposal during the current talk but bellow what unions ask.
I am not familiar with British industrial relations. Would the unions be at liberty to decide that the new offer is insufficient and go ahead with the strike. Would they be required/expected to put the new offer to a vote? Any wild guess?
One possible scenario is that BA comes up with an improved proposal during the current talk but bellow what unions ask.
I am not familiar with British industrial relations. Would the unions be at liberty to decide that the new offer is insufficient and go ahead with the strike. Would they be required/expected to put the new offer to a vote? Any wild guess?
Jul 31, 2019, 9:46 am
#790
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
Jul 31, 2019, 10:09 am
#791
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 24
Follow-up question: If it's announced after 12 PM on a day, the earliest potential start time is 12 AM on the 15th day, right? e.g. announcement Fri 8/2 at 1 PM = strike time no earlier than Sat 8/17 at 12 AM?
Jul 31, 2019, 10:27 am
#792
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,906
Like others, I am potentially affected with flights to Asia end-August.
One possible scenario is that BA comes up with an improved proposal during the current talk but bellow what unions ask.
I am not familiar with British industrial relations. Would the unions be at liberty to decide that the new offer is insufficient and go ahead with the strike. Would they be required/expected to put the new offer to a vote? Any wild guess?
One possible scenario is that BA comes up with an improved proposal during the current talk but bellow what unions ask.
I am not familiar with British industrial relations. Would the unions be at liberty to decide that the new offer is insufficient and go ahead with the strike. Would they be required/expected to put the new offer to a vote? Any wild guess?
BALPA may decide to put an improved offer out to the membership with a recommendation to accept.
They may not and reject an improved offer if it is below what they are asking.
They may decide that any revised offer isn't enough and announce strike dates in the hope of leveraging more out of BA.
Who knows? This could go any way at the minute.
Jul 31, 2019, 10:41 am
#793
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Like others, I am potentially affected with flights to Asia end-August.
One possible scenario is that BA comes up with an improved proposal during the current talk but bellow what unions ask.
I am not familiar with British industrial relations. Would the unions be at liberty to decide that the new offer is insufficient and go ahead with the strike. Would they be required/expected to put the new offer to a vote? Any wild guess?
One possible scenario is that BA comes up with an improved proposal during the current talk but bellow what unions ask.
I am not familiar with British industrial relations. Would the unions be at liberty to decide that the new offer is insufficient and go ahead with the strike. Would they be required/expected to put the new offer to a vote? Any wild guess?