BA ground staff at LHR: Summer '22 strike threat suspended after deal agreed
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#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: 2,530
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.
#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: 14,489
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.
#183
formerly JackDann
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 873
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.
#184
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 46
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.
#185
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,972
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.
#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: 55,184
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.
#187
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 361
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.
#189
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Exec Club Gold, *G, EK Skywards Silver
Posts: 586
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.
#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: 55,184
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.
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 17,055
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%
#193
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 241
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?
#194
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 170
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.
#195
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,219
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: