First strike dates - 29th-31st of Jan
Jan 21, 2007, 11:39 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
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The 8PM QF flight is already sold out and I can't leave earlier due to business meetings. I'm screwed.
I'm flying full fare first class so I hope that I can arrange something.
Jan 21, 2007, 11:39 am
#17
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Originally Posted by BA Statement
We are extremely disappointed that the T&G cabin crew union has walked away from negotiations and issued a direct threat to the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of our customers.
If the union goes ahead with its proposed series of three 72-hour strikes starting on Monday January 29, it will cause massive disruption for customers, and needless damage to our business at a time when we are facing more intense competition than ever before.
We remain committed to the search for a peaceful outcome to this dispute and we urge the union to withdraw this totally unjustified strike threat to give negotiations the fullest chance of success.
Despite its public rhetoric, the union in private remains resolute in its refusal to talk with us about any degree of change for our cabin crew.
We place immense value on the contribution of our cabin crew, which is why we provide them with terms and conditions that are among the very best in the industry.
We have not imposed changes and we do not seek to. We want to negotiate new ways of working with cabin crew, as we have with other staff groups within British Airways, to help put the airline in better shape to succeed in a dynamic, highly competitive global industry.
We have recognised the genuine concerns of our cabin crew about our absence management policy and, at the T&G's request, have tabled serious proposals to change the way the policy is applied to cabin crew.
However in our discussions so far, the T&G has hardened its stance. Its latest position includes a demand for a significant pay increase and a return to the excessive levels of absence experienced before our absence management policy was introduced.
The union is now asking for a relaxation of the policy, which would see average cabin crew absence rise back toward 22 days a year.
The union's demand for revised pay scales would involve rises of up to 18 per cent.
Additional demands on a range of other issues from the T&G would increase the company's annual cost by £37 million through extra staffing and allowances and seriously undermine our competitiveness.
The T&G should pause to reflect before leading our cabin crew down a path of confrontation that can serve no positive purpose.
We recognise that this is a worrying time for our customers and from today (Sunday January 21) we will allow customers booked to fly with us between Monday January 29 and Friday February 16 to change the date of their trip.
Ends
January 21, 2007 006/PM/07
Note to Editors
1. The Transport and General workers Union (T&G) notified British Airways today of its intention to call out cabin crew on strike on January 29, 30 and 31; February 5, 6 and 7; and February 12, 13 and 14.
2. For further information, please call British Airways' Press Office on 020 8738 5100.
If the union goes ahead with its proposed series of three 72-hour strikes starting on Monday January 29, it will cause massive disruption for customers, and needless damage to our business at a time when we are facing more intense competition than ever before.
We remain committed to the search for a peaceful outcome to this dispute and we urge the union to withdraw this totally unjustified strike threat to give negotiations the fullest chance of success.
Despite its public rhetoric, the union in private remains resolute in its refusal to talk with us about any degree of change for our cabin crew.
We place immense value on the contribution of our cabin crew, which is why we provide them with terms and conditions that are among the very best in the industry.
We have not imposed changes and we do not seek to. We want to negotiate new ways of working with cabin crew, as we have with other staff groups within British Airways, to help put the airline in better shape to succeed in a dynamic, highly competitive global industry.
We have recognised the genuine concerns of our cabin crew about our absence management policy and, at the T&G's request, have tabled serious proposals to change the way the policy is applied to cabin crew.
However in our discussions so far, the T&G has hardened its stance. Its latest position includes a demand for a significant pay increase and a return to the excessive levels of absence experienced before our absence management policy was introduced.
The union is now asking for a relaxation of the policy, which would see average cabin crew absence rise back toward 22 days a year.
The union's demand for revised pay scales would involve rises of up to 18 per cent.
Additional demands on a range of other issues from the T&G would increase the company's annual cost by £37 million through extra staffing and allowances and seriously undermine our competitiveness.
The T&G should pause to reflect before leading our cabin crew down a path of confrontation that can serve no positive purpose.
We recognise that this is a worrying time for our customers and from today (Sunday January 21) we will allow customers booked to fly with us between Monday January 29 and Friday February 16 to change the date of their trip.
Ends
January 21, 2007 006/PM/07
Note to Editors
1. The Transport and General workers Union (T&G) notified British Airways today of its intention to call out cabin crew on strike on January 29, 30 and 31; February 5, 6 and 7; and February 12, 13 and 14.
2. For further information, please call British Airways' Press Office on 020 8738 5100.
Jan 21, 2007, 11:42 am
#18
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You might get into LHR ( longhaul) but if it does happen on the 29th , unlikely ot get to AMS ( you could get KLM or the Eurostar to BRU then the Thalys to AMS)
Goodluck!
Regards
TBS
Jan 21, 2007, 11:44 am
#19
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Jan 21, 2007, 11:44 am
#20
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The joke is, whilst part of me is tempted to do this, my Amex year runs to 31st Jan. If I book a #3,000 ticket and refund it on Feb 1st, it will count against my spend next year and I'll have to do #13,000 instead of #10,000 to trigger the voucher!
Jan 21, 2007, 11:45 am
#21
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Originally Posted by BA
Despite its public rhetoric, the union in private remains resolute in its refusal to talk with us about any degree of change for our cabin crew.
...
However in our discussions so far, the T&G has hardened its stance. Its latest position includes a demand for a significant pay increase and a return to the excessive levels of absence experienced before our absence management policy was introduced.
...
However in our discussions so far, the T&G has hardened its stance. Its latest position includes a demand for a significant pay increase and a return to the excessive levels of absence experienced before our absence management policy was introduced.
Who'll break first? The Union or BA?
Jan 21, 2007, 11:50 am
#23
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Jan 21, 2007, 11:50 am
#24
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Why book the cheapest?! Cancellation fee is the same either way, and a long-haul F will get more compensation that CE to Paris. Although you'll have to pay your credit card statement, of course, before the refund arrives!
The joke is, whilst part of me is tempted to do this, my Amex year runs to 31st Jan. If I book a #3,000 ticket and refund it on Feb 1st, it will count against my spend next year and I'll have to do #13,000 instead of #10,000 to trigger the voucher!
The joke is, whilst part of me is tempted to do this, my Amex year runs to 31st Jan. If I book a #3,000 ticket and refund it on Feb 1st, it will count against my spend next year and I'll have to do #13,000 instead of #10,000 to trigger the voucher!
I also recall that some routes (AMS?) can be refunded online, so cutting out on the hastle factor and maybe reducing the fee (aka 'cost' of miles)
Jan 21, 2007, 11:53 am
#25
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... but last time you got more compensation for a long-haul F flight, I think! That said, I got 50k, I think, for a (genuinely) cancelled Paris CE flight during the action last year.
I think last year compensation was also graded by whether you were Silver or Gold ....
I think last year compensation was also graded by whether you were Silver or Gold ....
Jan 21, 2007, 11:53 am
#26
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The irony is...the most contentious proposal (remove allowances for an hourly flight/duty pay) is not even on the ballot!
Jan 21, 2007, 11:56 am
#27
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I will arrive longhaul into LHR the morning of the 29th and connect to AMS straight away
Jan 21, 2007, 11:56 am
#28
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PS - I would also like to state that my opinion of customers booking fully refundable premium cabin tickets at the present time fully aware of forthcoming service disruption and solely for the purpose of claiming compensation is that they are utterly disgusting individuals who should be ashamed of themselves. 
Jan 21, 2007, 11:57 am
#29
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Unfortunately for the hard working cabin crew who are being led down the garden path by a bunch of socialists living in 1977, it'll be the Union. Far from demanding a deal be done, the City has asked WW to break anachronistic working practices at BA once and for all. Short term pain = long term gain (we have seen BA weather GG, ground staff walkouts and fog...this will be peanuts in comparison).
The irony is...the most contentious proposal (remove allowances for an hourly flight/duty pay) is not even on the ballot!
The irony is...the most contentious proposal (remove allowances for an hourly flight/duty pay) is not even on the ballot!
Jan 21, 2007, 11:58 am
#30
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Try NZ, have availability in business class leaving LHR after 9pm on 31st (okay it is business not first but a very nice business class).