LHR/LGW pilots (BALPA) industrial action 9 Sep, 10 Sep, and 27 Sep
 

Having read a report in today's press that the Gatwick crew are in the mood for industrial (in)action and the longer standing disquiet at LHR it will be interesting to see how things pan out over the next three to six months.

Any bets on what will happen?

Not again surely. They lost last time so please leave it a few more years before taking on BA.

Confirmed, pilots and crew at Gatwick.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...k-Airport.html

https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/news...-call-16500571

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/gatwick-airport-strike-ba-cabin-crew-flight-cancelled-unite-union-a8953081.html

What gets me with unions in general is that they always want more when a company does well but as soon as the company hits trouble they don't want to do anything to help.

My understanding is that the pilots took a significant pay cut when the airline was in trouble, but BA has not reversed this since the airline has returned to profitability.

it's not going to be popular here, but if you think BA treats its passengers badly, imagine how it might treat its staff. A strike might well be what BA deserves...

Hi, long time reader but first poster. First and foremost, thank you to all for the informative posts. I've learned a lot from reading them.

​​​​​​The last time that I had the opportunity to fly BA (to Warsaw) they went of strike and my flight was cancelled a couple of times. Could not go on my annual holiday last year through no fault of my own. Now I'm due to fly out on 14 July and they're threatening to strike again! I need to read the EC261 thread now. Last time BA said that I was not entitled to compensation due to strikes being out of their control.

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That is absolute nonsense.

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!

Purely out of curiosity - what is the issue with the LAS nightstop from LGW? IIRC the LHR service has crew returning the following day as well?