BA flight crews on srike!!!!

[Andrew Ong 1]

Found these three articles from BA's website

 

The reason they are on srtike is because BA introduced a policy the forces flight crews to work, even though they are sick:

 

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.

 

Customer who would further information should phone freephone 0800 727 800.

 

 

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.

 

British Airways has today asked the conciliation service Acas to help avert a potential strike by members of the T&G cabin crew union.

 

The airline said it was willing to meet Acas officials at any time to explore means of resolving the dispute and removing the threat of disruption to the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of customers.

 

Willie Walsh, British Airways chief executive, said: "A strike would be completely unnecessary and unjustified. I am convinced we can settle the issues at the centre of this dispute through sensible discussion and negotiation.

 

"Unfortunately because of the nature of the demands put forward by the T&G cabin crew union in recent days, we have not yet been able to find a solution - or engage in the kind of positive dialogue we have achieved with other groups of employees."

 

Mr Walsh added: "We believe the answer must come through discussion, not confrontation - so we have asked Acas to assist us in taking the process forward."

 

The Transport and General Workers Union's (T&G) cabin crew branch has announced that it is planning industrial action on January 29, 30 and 31; February 5, 6 and 7; and February 12, 13 and 14.

 

We would like to assure you that we remain committed to resolving this dispute through continued talks. We have today asked the conciliation service Acas to assist us in taking this process forward with the T&G.

 

In the meantime, all British Airways flights continue to operate normally.

 

We are currently assessing the impact any potential industrial action will have on our flight schedule, in the event that a strike does take place. We are working as quickly as possible to confirm our plans for the affected period.

 

We understand that this is an uncertain time for our customers. We would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure that disruption is minimised in the event of any industrial action.

 

If you are due to travel between January 29 and February 16 we understand that you may wish to change your plans. As a result, we have introduced a policy that enables you to rebook flights for a different date. If we have to make flight cancellations as a result of industrial action, we will publish a comprehensive policy that will cover rebooking, rerouting and refund options.

 

It is possible to change some bookings on ba.com by using the change booking facility, for more information click here.

 

Customers who are unable to change their booking on ba.com should call British Airways or their Travel Agent if they wish to change their travel plans.

 

For customers in the UK, call British Airways on 0800 727 800 (freephone)

 

For customers outside the UK click here for details of your local British Airways call centre.

 

Customers are advised that this possible strike action only affects British Airways mainline services. BA Connect, franchise carriers and codeshare partners are unaffected.

[Andrew Ong 1]

For those that are flying with BA during the strike:

 

In addition to entitlements under the Conditions of Carriage relating to cancellation of a British Airways operated flight, a policy has been put in place outlining the booking change options available to you if you hold a booking and ticket to travel on a British Airways mainline flight between 29 January 2007 and 16 February 2007.

 

This policy applies to any passenger who holds a booking and ticket on a British Airways operated flight.

 

You may rebook on a British Airways operated flight subject to availability as outlined below:

- From your original point of departure to your original destination

 

Conditions:

• The change in booking must take place no later than two weeks after the original flight
• Travel must be completed within ticket validity or within three months from the original flight, whichever is longer
• The return flight, if applicable, can be rebooked at the same time, and no extra fare is payable
• Rebooking will be in the original cabin of travel

[Pieter C. 5]

British Airways Union Urges GBP10 Mln Spending

 

January 23, 2007

British Airways could meet key cabin crew demands with an extra GBP10 million pounds (USD$19.84 million) in annual spending, according to a union set to strike next week at the carrier.

 

Europe's third-largest airline is in talks with the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) hoping to head off plans by the T&G for a walkout by 10,500 cabin crew.

 

The T&G has given BA formal warning that it plans a three day walkout beginning on January 29 and might follow with two more.

 

"We believe the true cost of the proposed way forward is GBP10 million, not the GBP37 million pounds suggested by BA," T&G Deputy Secretary General Jack Dromey said in a news release on Tuesday.

 

"That is an affordable settlement which will lay the basis for a strong forward-looking airline not one where key workers live in fear of an aggressive management," he said.

 

A spokeswoman for BA declined to comment on the T&G figure but said the two sides were in talks on Tuesday aimed at averting strikes.

 

Unresolved issues relate to the airline's sick-leave policy and differences in its two pay scales for cabin crew.

 

The airline says cabin crew were taking an average of 22 sick days a year before a new absence policy was introduced in October 2005 which has lowered the figure to 12 days.

 

Last week, the T&G said 96 percent of the cabin crew it represents had voted for strike action. T&G members include 10,500 cabin crew out of a total of about 14,000 at BA.

 

BA said it will allow passengers booked to fly between January 29 and February 16 to change their travel plans.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

Whoa the Speedbirds went on strike??

 

Looks like BA flights are crippled with this strike

[Pieter C. 5]

Whoa the Speedbirds went on strike??

 

If no settlement, I guess, as from next monday - no more BA flights for 3 days

 

[Pieter C. 5]

First strike period now reduced from 3 days to 2 days (30-31jan07):

 

British Airways Union Shortens Threatened Strike

 

January 25, 2007

British Airways and its largest union said on Wednesday that the first 24 hours of a pending three day walkout had been called off as the two sides continued talks aimed at averting the strike.

 

"The British Airways cabin crew strike has been postponed by 24 hours by the T&G today as a goodwill gesture to allow more time for further negotiations," the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) said in a news release.

 

"If the dispute is not resolved, the strike will go ahead on Tuesday and Wednesday next week," it said.

 

T&G General Secretary Tony Woodley said the union had taken the action after BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh personally intervened in negotiations with senior union representatives.

 

A spokeswoman for the airline called the move "a small step" forward as the two sides negotiate over proposed changes to working conditions.

 

The airline's sick-leave policy and its two pay scales for cabin crew are among the issues being discussed with the T&G, which represents about 10,500 of BA's approximately 14,000 cabin crew.

 

BA said it would announce a flying schedule for January 30 and 31 on Thursday.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Keith T 2]

I'm with the crews. Blame Willie Walsh. The airline is basically turning upside down with his "10% off all costs." And it looks like the BA crews' have a rather moderate union who believes in arbitration and negotiation over striking at the very first opportunity, unlike the socialist organisation masquerading as an airline known as Aitalia. So WW must have pissed them off majorly for a strike to occur.

Edited January 26, 2007 by Keith T

[Radzi 2]

The airline's sick-leave policy and its two pay scales for cabin crew are among the issues being discussed with the T&G

 

Can you please elaborate on these?

 

[Keith T 2]

From BA Cabin Crews:

 

Apologies from the Cabin Crew Community

 

 

 

 

British Airways Cabin Crew have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action. The first of our proposed actions will take place on 29th, 30th and 31st Jan. Further dates should, BA not enter into a meaningful dialogue with our representatives, are penciled in for 5th, 6th and 7th Feb and 12th, 13th, and 14th Feb 2007

 

British Airways Cabin Crew would like it to be known that they absolutely do not want to go on strike. As Cabin Crew, all we want to do is our very best to look after the traveling public, conveying each and every one of you as comfortably and as safely as we possibly can from A to B. Obviously there are occasions when circumstances conspire against us, both for you the public and us as your crew, but it is often these very circumstances when our passengers appreciate most that they are with a British Airways Cabin Crew. This is borne out by us constantly exceeding every customer service target British Airways have ever set for us and also the clutch of industry awards we win every year - including 2006, where thanks to our hard work and the votes of you our customers, we walked away with the Best Cabin Crew award last year.

 

However, things are not all rosy with the current management of British Airways. Historically, we have always had a proper business relationship with our management. As with any commercial environment or business scenario, there has to be an appropriate level of give and take on both sides in order for anything to work. However, our new management team have a lot of ‘new brooms’ and wish to make a lot of changes. They have approached these changes by refusing to speak to our representatives and evicting them from their office which, is the only point of contact between crew and themselves, declaring their intention to introduce the changes without discussion and openly stating: "we are malingerers and, there is no place in our workplace for a union”

 

These changes are both to our working agreements and to our employment contracts, including but not limited to cuts in pay, no pay increases at all after a certain time, cuts in promotion opportunities, less rest between flights, removal of working position choice and BA ignoring the wording of their own sickness policy when applying it to Cabin Crew. This certainly has health and safety implications.

 

A testament to this is our Gatwick colleagues. BA promised a lifestyle compared to Heathrow with a mix of long and shorthaul flying. Once the crew were co-ersed into accepting the new fleet by BA´s spin machine they were....Shafted!!! They work the same aircraft as Heathrow with 2 crew less and 2 of the supervisory crew have also been removed. They work long sectors with little rest. They are on an hourly rate flying pay and have had their Breakfast allowance overseas taken off them by this penny pinching management. After many complaints from crew, BA have offered, as compensation, an extra 8p an hour in their flying pay. A paltry 1.92 GBP for breakfast. You can´t get a bacon sandwich at a local greasy spoon for that!!!

 

At this time, we feel that, you need to know the facts as to why we have taken this decision without, the need for sensationalist headlines as seen in the press of late. There are actually 12 points to which BA crew were balloted over. Some you may not simply understand as they perhaps only make sense to those who work in the industry, but below I have tried to explain some of the primary concerns which we want addressed by the company.

 

You have heard a lot no doubt about the sickness policy EG300. While it is true that we did indeed vote this in and that most other departments in BA are guided under this policy it does have major flaws for the flying community, most of which have only become apparent since its introduction as management go back on previous agreements. No, it is not a case of Cabin Crew not wanting to come into work because of an “Ingrown toenail”…This is convenient spin released from our management to the press to totally discredit us. However have you ever had a cold and flown on an aircraft? It is very painful and can result in a burst eardrum. A condition called Bara Trauma which, could end our careers. Also, would you want food prepared and handed to you by someone suffering from diarrhoea? Should all go wrong onboard an aircraft do you honestly trust a crew member with a broken limb to be able to evacuate you safely from an aircraft? Or to be more extreme would you want to be onboard an aircraft where a crew member suffering emotional or mental stress for whatever reason has complete access to a cockpit? At the end of the day we are onboard for your safety, it is not like we work in an office or can open a window and get some fresh air, we are exposed to the elements on an aircraft, we can pick up all sorts of bugs and viruses because of the poor air etc and we cannot simply leave and go home if we suddenly feel ill. We need EG300 to work for us for our own health and safety as well as yours, the customer. Anyways, even if we did have an ingrown toenail, would you want to be walking on it for the 14 hour plus duty day it takes to get to Singapore??

 

BA wants to remove a Purser position from our 747 aircraft. It may just be one position of 4 however, it will greatly reduce our chance of promotion and the ability of earning a livable, sustainable wage in the future also, it means one vital part of the cabin without a senior grade crew member further diluting the product that you, our customers, deserve …and this in a “Premium” cabin!

 

PENSIONS…Well this is a big one. Because of the £2bn deficit we are being expected to pay more into it and work ten years…TEN YEARS more for the SAME pension. We as crew pay, have paid and are paying over the national average into the scheme because our contracts state retirement is at 55. We, the flying community, are the only community within BA that, are being asked to work the extra 10 years. This, in the knowledge that, our life expectancy is much less than the national average. BA a few years back actualy stated, under oath, that flying is detrimental to our health and that, as such, should retire at 55. The only reason for change is that they have mismanaged our pension and now expect as to pay for it again!! What hope of enjoying retirement with a reasonable pension?? And, at a time when BA want to splurge billions of pounds on a brand new fleet of longhaul aircraft AND is rewarding its top brass management with £75m in share bonus’s. Yes we need to come to an agreement here somewhere but, BA again, does not wish to address our concerns.

 

Because of an EU work time legislation we as cabin crew are regulated to work no more than 900 flying hours ( chocks of to chocks on. We have other ground duties before and after the flight) in a rolling 12 month period. BA crew are regularly working over this meaning we are in fact working harder and longer than many low cost airlines cabin crew including Ryanair and Easyjet. BA in essence are BREAKING THE LAW by rostering us over these hours. Those who are aware that they are over their hours are then being derostered duties by the company and left at home for long periods of time and, through the anomalies within our pay structure, are losing considerable amounts in allowances and overtime payments simply because BA are unable to even out our rostering in a fair and proportionate way.

 

Crew who have joined the company since 1997 are on a lower pay scale and have their annual increments capped after 7 years of service. This will not increase and as a result of inflation these crew members risk being exposed to increased poverty over time. Promotion is the only way to increase our salaries but, as stated before, with the removal of a Purser, promotion will be almost non-existant in the future. This is not acceptable in the year 2007 surely?

 

We are not asking for much, just to try and keep things as they are and to make our pay scales fair. We are frustrated and angry I am sure you can understand why.

 

Our new CEO Willie Walsh has a pedigree of confrontation and controversy. When he was the Chief Negotiator for the Irish pilot's union IALPA, Walsh was quoted as saying: "in negotiations, you get nowhere by being reasonable". When he jumped the fence into airline management and became the CEO of Aer Lingus, he attempted a management buy out. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern accused him of: "stealing state assets" and "shafting the interests of Aer Lingus staff". Presumably he has been recruited by the Board of British Airways to 'shaft' its own staff.

 

These changes go beyond simply working harder in a changing commercial and security conscious environment. They will affect our lives outside work, our take home pay and most importantly our family life outside of work. They will also have a knock on effect to you, our customers. We have already seen thanks to BBC’s Watchdog on the 23rd January 2007 how BA management were responsible for tens of thousands of our customers bags going missing over the busy December period as a result of job cuts all in the name of cost saving.

 

If you have been a customer in the past you could not help but notice how our product on board has deteriorated compared to our competitors. You will have noticed that there are not enough bus drivers to take from aircraft to terminal and visa versa nor are there enough baggage handlers to ensure or, assure you of your bags arrival. Not enough Ground Staff to ease your passage through the terminals should you be in transit through Heathrow or to board the aircraft at the start of your journey.

 

Our current board headed by CEO Mr Walsh and our management have no regard for you “our customer” and simply interested in profits at all costs, resulting, in obscene and outrageous share options and bonuses for themselves.

 

The quality of experience you would expect from a world leader in aviation has, quite simply, disappeared.

 

Our management keeps saying they want to talk to us but, all they tell our reps at the meetings "we have nothing to talk about". Unfortunately at the moment we are not seen as people - and we are just like every one of you, doing the best job we can to earn a living and go home to our families, we are seen as expendable staff numbers. And whilst on board, we see you going about your business, traveling to see friends or going on holiday with your families, our current management see you simply as pound signs in seats.

 

At the moment, a strike is the only way we have of standing up for ourselves and forcing our management to open proper discussions, regarding our contracts and our future employment. This can all be avoided with the application of a reasonable attitude and a dose of common sense from British Airways management, but anyone who followed the recent ‘cross wearing’ debacle will know that those qualities seem to be more lacking, the higher up the British Airways management tree you climb.

 

Should a strike happen and, should you be caught up in the chaos it will inevitably cause. British Airways Cabin Crew humbly and sincerely apologize to you and ask for your patience and understanding whilst we try to get our managers to speak to us in honest, meaningful dialogue.

 

If you have non-changeable travel plans with British Airways from January and February 2007 you can write to our chief executive Willie Walsh at:

 

British Airways plc

Waterside

PO Box 365

Harmondsworth UB7 0GB

 

Or e-mail customer relations using this link:

 

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...l/public/en_gb

 

Please urge him to treat his employees properly, or simply provide him with your thoughts on British Airways current management style.

 

British Airways Cabin Crew

 

Hopefully this will shed some light on the strike and clear up the confusion generated by BA's own propaganda, which is dripping with rhetoric.

Edited January 26, 2007 by Keith T

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

So,any latest news or info on the strike yet,besides than the announcement from the BA cabin crew community?

 

Sad to hear that the Speedbird operations is temporarily crippled due to this strike

[Pieter C. 5]

BA, Union Due To Resume Last-Ditch Strike Talks

 

January 29, 2007

British Airways and its biggest union are due to resume talks on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to avert a 48 hour strike by cabin staff that could affect more than 140,000 passengers.

 

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) said discussions, held at a secret location over the weekend, would start again on Monday.

 

Europe's third-largest airline has already cancelled around 1,300 flights this week in anticipation of the walkout planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

The stoppage would affect more than 140,000 passengers and involve most flights to and from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with further disruption before and afterwards.

 

The row centers around BA's policy of sick-leave and pay.

 

The union, which says 96 percent of the cabin crew it represents are in favor of strike action, has threatened two further 72-hour stoppages in February unless an agreement can be reached.

 

BA says cabin crew were taking an average of 22 sick days per year before Chief Executive Willie Walsh took charge and that under a new absence policy the figure has fallen to 12 days.

 

Some 10,500 of BA's approximately 15,000 cabin crew are members of the T&G.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Pieter C. 5]

SURPRISE :

 

British Airways Cabin Crew Strike Off

 

January 30, 2007

British Airways said on Monday a 48 hour strike by cabin crew members of its largest union had been canceled, although it still expected disruptions for thousands of passengers this week.

 

"Negotiations with the T&G (union) have resulted in an agreement that removes the threat of strikes," Chief Executive Willie Walsh said in a statement, adding BA would reinstate as many canceled flights as possible.

 

Last week, the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) called a 48 hour strike by cabin crew from Tuesday unless there was agreement on issues which include sick-leave policy and pay. The T&G threatened two further 72 hour strikes in February.

 

The T&G said on Monday it had won a 4.6 percent pay deal for its members at BA, and a pay rise equal to Britain's RPI measure of inflation for next year.

 

Walsh said: "Unfortunately, the decision (to call off the strike) has come too late to prevent disruption to the travel plans of tens of thousands of our customers tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday".

 

BA, which last Thursday canceled 1,300 flights scheduled for this week, said it had reinstated all long-haul flights that had been canceled.

 

The dispute with the union involves BA's sick-leave policy and its two pay scales for cabin staff.

 

BA says cabin crew were taking an average of 22 sick days per year before Walsh took charge in October 2005 and that under a new absence policy the figure had fallen to 12 days.

 

Some 10,500 of BA's approximately 15,000 cabin crew are members of the T&G.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

Glad to hear it

[Andrew Ong 1]

That's a relief

Edited January 30, 2007 by Andrew Ong

[Y C LEONG 1]

news reporting LHR n LGW are very quiet indeed and seats are selling 50% cheaper to fill up the seats because customers haved rescheduled or cancelled or booked on another airline.. just checked for a ticket to prague tomorrow cost only £54 one way..

[Pieter C. 5]

British Airways Traffic Falls On Strikes Threat

 

February 6, 2007

British Airways posted a 2.8 percent fall in January traffic as passengers worried about possible strikes turned away.

 

"This month's (January's) statistics were significantly impacted by the threat of industrial action," BA said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

 

"Premium volumes suffered the largest reductions as most tickets are flexible and refundable, and customers are easily able to move to other carriers."

 

BA's largest union announced a ballot in favor of strike action and prepared for a series of three 72 hour walkouts until the plan was averted on January 29.

 

As a result, BA's January load factor fell to 69.5 percent from 72.5 percent a year earlier.

 

Europe's third-largest airline by traffic said demand for premium seating generally remains strong but fell in January by 3.1 percent.

 

"The market continues to show good demand in premium cabins. The weakness in some non-premium segments is also still a feature," BA said.

 

It reiterated that the current, fourth quarter would likely see an estimated revenue loss of some GBP80 million pounds (USD$156.8 million) as a result of the labour dispute last month.

 

It also repeated its recently lowered revenue guidance for the full year of 3.25 to 3.75 percent growth, versus a previous forecast of 4.5 to 5.0 percent.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Pieter C. 5]

British Airways, Unions Agree Pensions Plan

 

February 7, 2007

British Airways said on Wednesday it had formally agreed a plan to reduce its pension fund deficit with its unions in return for changes to benefits for employees, sending its shares higher.

 

The deal finalizes one agreed late last year and follows a stand-off last month with its largest union in which a series of three 72 hour walkouts was narrowly averted.

 

"British Airways and the trustees of the New Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS) have formally agreed the funding plan including benefit changes to tackle the GBP2.1 billion pound (USD$4.14 billion) deficit in the scheme," the company said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

 

"This brings to a close our lengthy consultation process on pensions. It provides greater stability and certainty for all 70,000 NAPS members and frees the company to move forward into an exciting phase of investment and growth," Chief Financial Officer Keith Williams said in the company's statement.

 

The purchase of new planes is among the plans now expected to go ahead.

 

BA said the plan, which was agreed in principle with the trustees last year, included annual BA contributions of about GBP280 million (USD$551.5 million) for the next 10 years and a one-off cash injection of GBP800 million (USD$1.58 billion).

 

BA said the agreement also meant benefit changes that would take effect from April 1 and an additional GBP150 million (USD$295.4 million) in cash over the next three years, subject to BA's financial performance.

 

"The benefit changes will deliver an immediate deficit reduction of some GBP400 million (USD$787.8 million) and a saving of some GBP80 million (USD$157.5 million) a year," BA said.

 

The changes include lifting the cap on total pension contributions to 30 from 15 percent, new tax-efficient ways of making pension contributions and capping future pensionable pay rises to inflation.

 

Flight and cabin crew now have a retirement age of 65, up from 55, in line with other BA employees.

 

(Reuters)

 

BUT, IS THERE ANOTHER STRIKE LOOMING ?

 

British Airways Ground Crew Reject Pension Deal

 

February 13, 2007

A union representing ground crew at British Airways said on Monday its members had rejected the airline's plan for lowering the pensions scheme deficit.

 

"GMB members covered by the British Airways pension fund have given the union a strong mandate to reject the company's pension funds offer," Ed Blissett, GMB national negotiator with BA, said on the union's web site.

 

He said the GMB would seek to negotiate a settlement with BA but added: "GMB cannot rule out the possibility of an industrial action ballot sometime in the future if negotiations are unsuccessful."

 

A spokesman for the airline said agreement had been reached with BA's unions to tackle the airline's GBP2.1 billion pound (USD$4.1 billion) pension fund deficit under a plan which involves BA contributing a lump sum and changes to work practices.

 

"It's a (pension fund) trustees issue, really," the BA spokesman said regarding the GMB announcement.

 

(Reuters)