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
Aug 8, 2019, 12:19 pm
#991
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Aug 8, 2019, 12:27 pm
#992
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,742
As far as I am aware, pilots have never threatened to go on strike in the entire history of BA, until now. I think that says much more about management than the pilots
Aug 8, 2019, 4:21 pm
#993
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,060
Not true there was very nearly a strike about 15 years ago, BA avoided it with litigation.
Hah hah, I've corrected this just for clarity but the typo was a far better point than the one I was actually making😊
Hah hah, I've corrected this just for clarity but the typo was a far better point than the one I was actually making😊
Last edited by Waterhorse; Aug 9, 2019 at 1:15 am
Aug 8, 2019, 4:31 pm
#994
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,410
Aug 8, 2019, 5:23 pm
#996
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,369
From what I gather talks have concluded at ACAS and tomorrow is the last day to give notice for strikes to happen over the centenary/Bank Holiday weekend. Wonder if a statement/solution or strikes will be announced.
With a potential HAL strike immediately before and having seen the carnage of the flight cancellations this week due to the HAL action and IT issue BALPA could decimate their flight schedule for days just by having a day or even a couple of half days of strikes. My personal opinion is (and I hope for all passengers I’m right) there won’t be a strike as BAs thoughts would have been a bit more focussed. If there are strikes I hope BALPA gets their PR in order to make it clear they’ve tried everything,
With a potential HAL strike immediately before and having seen the carnage of the flight cancellations this week due to the HAL action and IT issue BALPA could decimate their flight schedule for days just by having a day or even a couple of half days of strikes. My personal opinion is (and I hope for all passengers I’m right) there won’t be a strike as BAs thoughts would have been a bit more focussed. If there are strikes I hope BALPA gets their PR in order to make it clear they’ve tried everything,
Aug 9, 2019, 12:48 am
#997
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 335
[QUOTE=KeaneJohn;31395493]
From what I gather talks have concluded at ACAS
Hi KeaneJohn do you have a source? Only asking as there is a Mr Keane reported to be involved in the discussions?
Looking for any information about strikes as soon as possible to potentially rearrange yet another messed up trip. I inadvertently booked my next trip over the bank holiday weekend. Seriously thinking of hanging up my wander lust, just can't take the stress anymore!
Hi KeaneJohn do you have a source? Only asking as there is a Mr Keane reported to be involved in the discussions?
Looking for any information about strikes as soon as possible to potentially rearrange yet another messed up trip. I inadvertently booked my next trip over the bank holiday weekend. Seriously thinking of hanging up my wander lust, just can't take the stress anymore!
Last edited by Jerseylily2; Aug 9, 2019 at 12:54 am
Aug 9, 2019, 1:17 am
#998
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,902
From what I gather talks have concluded at ACAS and tomorrow is the last day to give notice for strikes to happen over the centenary/Bank Holiday weekend. Wonder if a statement/solution or strikes will be announced.
With a potential HAL strike immediately before and having seen the carnage of the flight cancellations this week due to the HAL action and IT issue BALPA could decimate their flight schedule for days just by having a day or even a couple of half days of strikes. My personal opinion is (and I hope for all passengers I’m right) there won’t be a strike as BAs thoughts would have been a bit more focussed. If there are strikes I hope BALPA gets their PR in order to make it clear they’ve tried everything,
With a potential HAL strike immediately before and having seen the carnage of the flight cancellations this week due to the HAL action and IT issue BALPA could decimate their flight schedule for days just by having a day or even a couple of half days of strikes. My personal opinion is (and I hope for all passengers I’m right) there won’t be a strike as BAs thoughts would have been a bit more focussed. If there are strikes I hope BALPA gets their PR in order to make it clear they’ve tried everything,
Aug 9, 2019, 4:54 am
#1001
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,369
Hi KeaneJohn do you have a source? Only asking as there is a Mr Keane reported to be involved in the discussions?
Looking for any information about strikes as soon as possible to potentially rearrange yet another messed up trip. I inadvertently booked my next trip over the bank holiday weekend. Seriously thinking of hanging up my wander lust, just can't take the stress anymore!
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Aug 9, 2019 at 6:14 am Reason: Fixing broken quote
Aug 9, 2019, 5:00 am
#1002
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Being an optimist, I've just booked 3 more BA sectors in the next month.
No, not an optimist as in an "opportunist" (i.e. those types that would book risky things in the hope of getting compensation payouts), but with a genuine hope that flights won't be affected.
However, I did build in one insurance element of including an LCY sector, which I assume is not affected
I am also fully covered for approximately Ł15,000 per incident in disruption-related expenses to recover my schedule (The insurers did say that a private jet might not be an option 
) <== still applicable since the strike hasn't been announced yet, which enabled me to 'safely' book those flights.
I also have the added insurance element of 'force release a seat' right on a couple of other airlines, which I guess gives me an extra assurance to book those flights despite the potential issues.
No, not an optimist as in an "opportunist" (i.e. those types that would book risky things in the hope of getting compensation payouts), but with a genuine hope that flights won't be affected.
However, I did build in one insurance element of including an LCY sector, which I assume is not affected
I am also fully covered for approximately Ł15,000 per incident in disruption-related expenses to recover my schedule
(The insurers did say that a private jet might not be an option ) <== still applicable since the strike hasn't been announced yet, which enabled me to 'safely' book those flights.I also have the added insurance element of 'force release a seat' right on a couple of other airlines, which I guess gives me an extra assurance to book those flights despite the potential issues.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Aug 9, 2019 at 5:11 am
Aug 9, 2019, 5:15 am
#1004
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Exec Club - Lowly Blue
Posts: 162
However, I'm sorry to tell you that In a bulletin issued yesterday, BALPA informed its members that: ...we regret to report talks at ACAS have broken down...
Whilst I still hope that this dispute can be resolved by further negotiation and without recourse to strike action, I have no information regarding the possibility of further talks with BA or ACAS, nor any information as to what may happen next.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Aug 9, 2019 at 6:15 am Reason: Fixing broken quote
Aug 9, 2019, 5:33 am
#1005
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 46
The BA EC website still has a notice, dated 05 Aug 2019 at 11:20, that states, amongst other things, ... we are continuing with talks at ACAS...
However, I'm sorry to tell you that In a bulletin issued yesterday, BALPA informed its members that: ...we regret to report talks at ACAS have broken down...
Whilst I still hope that this dispute can be resolved by further negotiation and without recourse to strike action, I have no information regarding the possibility of further talks with BA or ACAS, nor any information as to what may happen next.
However, I'm sorry to tell you that In a bulletin issued yesterday, BALPA informed its members that: ...we regret to report talks at ACAS have broken down...
Whilst I still hope that this dispute can be resolved by further negotiation and without recourse to strike action, I have no information regarding the possibility of further talks with BA or ACAS, nor any information as to what may happen next.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Aug 9, 2019 at 6:15 am Reason: Fixing broken quote