Jun 24, 2022, 4:09 pm
Last edit by: Tobias-UK
LATEST UPDATE: 7 July 2022
British Airway's employed ground staff, based mainly at LHR. have voted in favour of strike action in respect of a dispute relating to pay and conditions. This strike ballot is valid for 6 months, and allows the unions to nominate strike dates, provided the employer has 2 weeks notice of the strike. The general tendency in the UK is for relatively short strike dates, typically a day or two, but several of them separate by several days.
Updated: 7 July/2022, no strike dates have been provided and an agreement in principle has been reached with the Unions. Two weeks notice must be provided by the unions. This means there will be no strikes before 21 July 2022. However though the ballot is valid 6 months, the first strike needs to be within 4 weeks, which is 23 July 2022. This can extended by a further 4 weeks if the employer agrees, for example to facilitate a ballot of the agreement. So that suggests there won't be a strike in July and there may well be no strikes at all for this employment group.
Those involved in this strike are check-in staff, baggage handlers, lounge staff, gate agents, some turnaround managers, and related airport staff. Cabin and flight crew are not in this dispute. LGW and LCY flights are not in this dispute. Contract ground agents - at LHR and out stations - are also not involved. Some roles can be performed by management, but it is unlikely that core activties at LHR Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 can avoid significant disruption. If flights are disrupted by strkes then usually BA allows people to move their flights to alternative dates and other arrangements (e.g. rebooking on AA). There is a separate dispute being worked through involving call centre staff and engineers, but there is no ballot at this point, so any strike is some way off.
British Airway's employed ground staff, based mainly at LHR. have voted in favour of strike action in respect of a dispute relating to pay and conditions. This strike ballot is valid for 6 months, and allows the unions to nominate strike dates, provided the employer has 2 weeks notice of the strike. The general tendency in the UK is for relatively short strike dates, typically a day or two, but several of them separate by several days.
Updated: 7 July/2022, no strike dates have been provided and an agreement in principle has been reached with the Unions. Two weeks notice must be provided by the unions. This means there will be no strikes before 21 July 2022. However though the ballot is valid 6 months, the first strike needs to be within 4 weeks, which is 23 July 2022. This can extended by a further 4 weeks if the employer agrees, for example to facilitate a ballot of the agreement. So that suggests there won't be a strike in July and there may well be no strikes at all for this employment group.
Those involved in this strike are check-in staff, baggage handlers, lounge staff, gate agents, some turnaround managers, and related airport staff. Cabin and flight crew are not in this dispute. LGW and LCY flights are not in this dispute. Contract ground agents - at LHR and out stations - are also not involved. Some roles can be performed by management, but it is unlikely that core activties at LHR Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 can avoid significant disruption. If flights are disrupted by strkes then usually BA allows people to move their flights to alternative dates and other arrangements (e.g. rebooking on AA). There is a separate dispute being worked through involving call centre staff and engineers, but there is no ballot at this point, so any strike is some way off.
BA ground staff at LHR: Summer '22 strike threat suspended after deal agreed
Jun 25, 2022, 1:29 am
#181
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: near Heathrow
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL (OWE), SA LifePlat (*G), BD Gold to the end, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,911
I have created a wiki to give what I think are the key aspects in a factual way. By all means correct any errors.
I suspect a lot of lurkers and occasional flyers are quite worried about their holiday plans, so they will be looking through this thread for information on that, rather than the broader issue of the role of trade unions in society.
I suspect a lot of lurkers and occasional flyers are quite worried about their holiday plans, so they will be looking through this thread for information on that, rather than the broader issue of the role of trade unions in society.
It's not only lurkers and occasional flyers visiting the thread for any updates on potential strike dates!
You've done a great job summarising the facts in the wiki and I'll just check that for updates in future, rather than wade through pages of polarised opinions about the rights and wrongs of employers and trade unions.
Jun 25, 2022, 3:03 am
#182
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,031
Let's all bear in mind that this thread will be attracting a significant worldwide audience of concerned BA travellers, so it's probably best not to make a show of oneself in front of them all.
Jun 25, 2022, 5:22 am
#183
formerly JackDann
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,657
In July I wouldn't be surprised, this happens every year there isn't a pandemic on. But there is availability to LCY and some CE availability to LHR (e.g. 14 July). Typically on that route more availability will show up if flights are not full in the 2 - 3 days before departure, but at the moment flights are operating close to 100% full.
I think maybe what has happened is that they have reduced the schedule and maybe they plan to restore it in August. Would explain the lack of availability.
Jun 25, 2022, 7:05 am
#184
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 48
Assume the strike will be at the very start of summer vacation and also in the last week of August to coincide with August Bank Holiday.
I have booking during that period and worried about cancellation.
I have booking during that period and worried about cancellation.
Jun 25, 2022, 7:32 am
#185
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,059
Yeah usually see that availability opens up and expect it to be busy, but just found it surprising that there is nothing at all for the whole of July and then availability every day in August.
I think maybe what has happened is that they have reduced the schedule and maybe they plan to restore it in August. Would explain the lack of availability.
I think maybe what has happened is that they have reduced the schedule and maybe they plan to restore it in August. Would explain the lack of availability.
Jun 25, 2022, 7:33 am
#186
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,783
The unions GMB and Unite have now started the consultation process for a potential strike by call centre staff at Newcastle and Manchester, as well as engineers at LGW and GLA. This would be a separate dispute on a different contract. Since this is just the start of the process, this dispute is some way from leading to a strike, so the threat of both LHR and call centres being out on strike at the same time is not an immediate prospect.
Jun 25, 2022, 7:37 am
#187
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 460
I have historically not been a fan of Trades Unions but I know what I think of BA in this dispute and it is not printable.
I really do not understand anybody flying with them at all currently unless there is really no choice.
I haven’t set foot on any aircraft for over a year. I am well aware that many people don’t have that luxury but if you do, stay here or at least choose a carrier that’s getting a reasonable percentage of its flights in the air with the passengers’ luggage on board. The idea of putting yourself through hell for a week or two in the sun just mystifies me. It’s going to get worse before it gets better and there are all sorts of pleasant corners of this beautiful island, if you can afford the petrol 😉
Other beautiful home countries are also available.
I really do not understand anybody flying with them at all currently unless there is really no choice.
I haven’t set foot on any aircraft for over a year. I am well aware that many people don’t have that luxury but if you do, stay here or at least choose a carrier that’s getting a reasonable percentage of its flights in the air with the passengers’ luggage on board. The idea of putting yourself through hell for a week or two in the sun just mystifies me. It’s going to get worse before it gets better and there are all sorts of pleasant corners of this beautiful island, if you can afford the petrol 😉
Other beautiful home countries are also available.
Jun 25, 2022, 8:16 am
#189
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Exec Club Gold, *G, EK Skywards Silver
Posts: 1,020
I'll say again that check in staff alone will not bring things to a standstill. They don't have the numbers and I suspect that the company will eventually do a deal. Non airport staff will also be trained.
If the ramp staff ballot and walk then BA won't fly from LHR on any possible strike dates. This is what people have to watch out for. This is the key.
If the ramp staff ballot and walk then BA won't fly from LHR on any possible strike dates. This is what people have to watch out for. This is the key.
Jun 25, 2022, 8:18 am
#190
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,783
The unions GMB and Unite have now started the consultation process for a potential strike by call centre staff at Newcastle and Manchester, as well as engineers at LGW and GLA. This would be a separate dispute on a different contract. Since this is just the start of the process, this dispute is some way from leading to a strike, so the threat of both LHR and call centres being out on strike at the same time is not an immediate prospect.
Jun 25, 2022, 8:27 am
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,092
I’m not sure if this has been posted but cabin crew were also balloted, here are the results.Following the closure of the ballot on Friday members answered the question "If necessary, would you support industrial action over this breach of the ‘good faith’ clause in the Pay 2022 BA/Unite agreement?" as follows:
Yes: 97.3%
No: 2.7%
Jun 25, 2022, 8:32 am
#193
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 575
No, but BA as a business have invested capital into running a company, they operate at risk. Unions dont, they just take members subscriptions and blackmail firms - What do they do for the UK economy?
You sign contract, you work to that contract, you don't like it, leave. Going on strike, breach of contact - should be fired.
You sign contract, you work to that contract, you don't like it, leave. Going on strike, breach of contact - should be fired.
There are many premium airlines across the world that don't allow staff to join trade unions, notably those within the middle east. How many flyers consider this before booking their next flight or does the lure of a premium product corrupt their minds?
Jun 25, 2022, 9:00 am
#194
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 209
In general I am not a supporter of strikes, as in my experience they rarely result in anything especially productive for either side.
HOWEVER, in this instance, given how BA management have approached, treated and had regard for most sections of their “team” with the exception of those in management positions I have to say that it feels more like pigeons coming home to roost rather than unions string things up.
Frankly I can quite understand why most front line staff would willingly take any opportunity to stuff the company given how the company has *chosen* to stuff them. As the old saying goes…you get what you give. YMMV.
HOWEVER, in this instance, given how BA management have approached, treated and had regard for most sections of their “team” with the exception of those in management positions I have to say that it feels more like pigeons coming home to roost rather than unions string things up.
Frankly I can quite understand why most front line staff would willingly take any opportunity to stuff the company given how the company has *chosen* to stuff them. As the old saying goes…you get what you give. YMMV.
Jun 25, 2022, 9:18 am
#195
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,627
I’m not sure if this has been posted but cabin crew were also balloted, here are the results.Following the closure of the ballot on Friday members answered the question "If necessary, would you support industrial action over this breach of the ‘good faith’ clause in the Pay 2022 BA/Unite agreement?" as follows: