about the forthcoming BA strike?

[iwastooearlytobeayummymummy]

DS (11)is supposed to be going on a much anticipated school trip next week, but both outward and return dates are strike days.
I can't begin to tell you how much he has been looking forward to this trip.

DD3 (13 )is also away, at the same time, on a choir trip, but flying with another operator.

Excited at the prospect of 2 children away,and happy to leave DD2 ( 18) home alone, DH and I have booked a much needed break ourselves, first time away without the children in 5 years.

Now everything is 'up in the air', no pun intended .

Can somebeody please explain why cabin crew are so aggreived? I've had a look at BBC's overview of the reasons behind the strike, but don't really get it.I also work for an organisation ( local authority actually) that has announced a 2 year pay freeze, recruitment freeze and forthcoming redundancies. Apart from free tea bags and instant coffee I get no other priveliges.

IABU to think they've got nothing to strike over?

Denisefabre the UK has no problem with democracy, our legal system is unfettered, and the legal system said your first strike ballot was illegal. I have seen transcripts of the hearing, and it is yet another instance where your union let you down. They knew what they were doing in the ballot was illegal, and they did it anyway. How is that democratic?

When the majority of cabin crew are still working, and the minority on strike, how can you say BA is not democratic in just ignoring you? Why should they listen to the minority?
Unite's offer of a pay-cut penalised Gatwick. BA held internal forums with cabin crew and they said they did not want a pay cut. BA went with what the workers wanted not the union.

This strike is not a feminist issue- there are intelligent women on here, some work some don't, but they are against the strike, it doesn't mean they are subjugated to a man called Willie Walsh, it just means they are intelligent, have seen all the facts and come to a well thought out conclusion.

OST Just because you go tramping around and no one will touch you with a barge pole down route doesn't mean some pilots don't sleep around, some do just not with you it seems. You have after all protested so much on the subject.

The pilots would have been supportive if you had been on strike over something sensible.

Pinkycheesy this was supposed to be the way to let CSDs keep their job, perks and pay. I guess next time BA wont be so nice about it.

"OSTG works one month on, one month off."

Yes and she takes a 50% paycut for the privilege.

OSTG there you go again with your low down and insulting comments - I consider these extremely sexist and anti-female.

But hey - is it not ironic that females make up 75% of CC at BA but are the one expecting a male - Tony Woodley - to do the negotiating.

Denisefabre - what were you expecting OSTG to get paid inbetween? The mind boggles....

Turn that argument on its head, denise....

Mr Walsh is a working CEO of a listed company with thousands of employees, trying to stay in business and hopefully make money for its shareholders. When he tries to stand up to the bullying tactics of a large and powerful union, he is vilified for taking the (perfectly legal) action to maintain that company's business.

WW is not running a charity or a not-for-profit business. Like you, he has a bottom line to maintain and (company) bills to pay. Why shouldnt he be allowed to do this in the most efficient way? And when he is prevented from doing so, why shouldnt he take action against those who are preventing him from doing his job the way the board expects? Why does that makehim a bully?

Most of us on this thread know exactly how this strike came about, how the unions and how BA have tried to manage the cost cutting.

Denisefabre, you'd think by reading this thread that this was 1800 England! Unbelievable, but remember it's a tiny group of pilots' wives, they don't think much of workers' rights in general and are convinced that the world would be a better place without unions. Also, what nobody has mentioned is the crew complement on other airlines: Virgin have 15 or 16 on a 747, Singapore have a minimun of 18! We have 14 and trust me, I've done flights where I had no time to go to the toilet!

Pinkfizzle, it's called flexible wroking and the Labour government has introduced the right for every parent or carer to request it. As a single mother I don't see how I could fly full time, it'd be unfair on the children, and childcare costs would be the same as my wages. That ok with you?

OSTG get real - yes you have the right to request FW but many employers still do not agree to FW requests.

I really suggest that you go out and try this FWR on another employer (you are unhappy with BA anyhow) and just see how successful you would be.

Many businesses could not afford, or what not be inclined to provide the sort of flexibility that you have.

There are plenty of women in the UK who have childcare costs that are close enough to their wages, they work to keep their jobs, and to keep an income coming in.

I think it really fantastic that you can work one month on, one month off and it is something to be truly celebrated.

Oh and OSTG when and if you ever get out in the Real World then don't forget you will have to have worked for your employer for 26 weeks' continuously before applying
not have made another application to work flexibly under the right during the past 12 months.

So you won't be able to stuff your employer around with your negotiation of flexible working.

"There are plenty of women in the UK who have childcare costs that are close enough to their wages, they work to keep their jobs, and to keep an income coming in."

That says a lot for your vision of social progress...Let's race to the very bottom shall we?

OSTG does not take a 50% pay cut.

She gets paid 100% for her working time.

If that is not enough or too high compared to others or whatever happens with her allowances is a different matter.

onestonetogo I actually am disgusted at the way you are constantly implying and insinuating that every BA pilot is shagging the cc whilst away.
So you don't like the opinions expressed so you use inuendo after inuendo.
Frankly The phrase 'those who shout loudest comes to mind.
Now go and be a love and get back to your picket line.
Btw I am not a pilots wife just a totally fed up passenger!!!

Well said pinky I was just posting similar but you beat me to it!

"onestonetogo I actually am disgusted at the way you are constantly implying and insinuating that every BA pilot is shagging the cc whilst away."

That's a bit off topic can we stick to the subject at hand and discuss like adults.

Silver1, trust me the reason I don't do pilots is because I find most of them a bit dull and unexciting. Some, however, have been very good company over a drink or two at the hotel bar, and trust me I've turned down a few offers of a "night cap" in their room. But while we're on the subject, let me tell you that the promiscuity and sexual debauchery I've seen among pilots would make Ashley Cole blush. This, has nothing to do with the fact that they're good at their job and I never doubt their ability to fly he aircraft safely!
Anyway, off to look after my DC, enjoy the bitchfest

Why????
She isn't!
She is constantly throwing the phrase in alongside the faces.

"That says a lot for your vision of social progress...Let's race to the very bottom shall we?"

No I was not speaking about social progress I was talking about reality and how OSTG was saying how she could not work FT.

She is able to work on a flexible basis for a multiple nuber of reasons, because she works for a large company that has extra policies and benefits and because there are a great number of employees who can interchange and do her role on the months that she does not work.

I think you'll find me stating many pages ago that I fully endorse unions and workers rights to strike; I have been in a union myself (before becoming so rich obviously), USDAW and they were pretty good but I certainly wouldnt have taken every word as gospel until I found out facts for myself.

None of the pilots wives on here has said they think cc should work for peanuts or that they should shut up. We have pointed out that your working pay and conditions arent quite as awful as some might suggest, and that you did take the job on in the knowledge that it meant antisocial hours, physical stress, etc. And we have said that we dont agree with the strike; I think thats called 'freedom of opinion'. Just because I dont agree with something you do doesnt mean I hate you or think youre a bad person! The great thing about forums is that everyone can express an opinion and it doesnt need to get to personal insults. Its called 'debate' and its something adults do.

To make assumptions about someones personal or fjnancial circumstances based on their partners job is pretty silly. I refuse to discuss my personal life with you but how about if I tell you that our household income is the same as that of 2 newly qualified primary teachers? Except that in their case, theyd be entitled to tax credits and would only pay basic rate income tax, whereas we arent and we pay higher rate. So...enough of the private school and Audi jibes please, we are just normal people trying to do the best for our family, like everyone else on here

OSTG how have you actually seen the promiscuity and sexual debauchery among pilots if you have not done then? - I'm using your language here.

well said pinkcheesy

I was finding this thread very interesting and informative but it is quite long, so I skipped (from about p36) to the end and am really shocked to see how far it has degenerated into name calling.

This is clearly a very emotive issue and I am an outsider - I don't work for BA and don't know anyone who does - but come on guys, it's never good to start insulting each other, even if it is just online.

This might be illegal as BA would be seen to treat trade union members less favourably because they took part in legal trade union activities (the strike).Ultimately BA has 2 options either withdraw them for everyone or reinstate them for those who took part in the strike. The law is very clear on this subject, so your friends might be shooting themselves in the foot.

Sadly, starkadder, namecalling is a popular bullying tactic and BASSA run courses in bullying so that their members can be as good at it as they are at making kir royales *sigh

denise by the time the individual strikers have taken BA to court over staff travel, they will have been served their compulsory redundancy notices and it will make no difference. Do you really think WW hasnt considered every possible strategy by Unite?? Its what he is paid to do!! He wants rid of the stranglehold and if that means paying some legal fees and compensation then so be it. Its what he was brought in to do and he isnt a man to give in. And that doesnt mean I like him...but I do respect him for havng the balls to do what he is to achieve the desired results.