[DisgustedofSwieqi]

VK

“Fewer than 6,000”, as each person can be counted seperately.

“Less than 12%”, as one is referring to part of a whole.

Would you say “fewer rain today, than yesterday?”

[Hippocampus]

Latest from Duncan Holley:

I am very conscious you have heard nothing from BASSA since yesterday’s
deeply satisfying ballot result so just a few personal observations if I
may be so bold.

Firstly I find BA’s response very revealing. They wasted little time in
trying to manipulate the figures to illustrate their rather tired
ideology. Instead of spending their efforts on seeking a way out of this
dispute they continue to pour scorn at a result any government would be
tickled pink with. Instead of reflecting that yet again there is a near
80% YES vote, they try to add up all the non-voters into the NO camp –
spin so blatant even Tony Blair would turn red – to try and convince their
lapdogs in the media all is falling apart. Don’t they instead ever
consider the sensible, mature response i.e. let’s cut out the belittling
sneers and let’s take up Len’s offer of starting sensible dialogue? Why
mock those who are prepared to make a brave stand for what they believe
in? Wouldn’t they stand up and resist changes if their livelihood were
threatened? Why try and cheapen something that has been democratically
conducted and passionately undertaken?

BA really need to grow up – accept that Walsh’s dream of smashing the
union is just that – a dream and a very immoral one at that. BA’s style of
industrial relations is bankrupt, it has been for years and no matter how
much they bully their workforce those methods only worsen the situation.
The situation is crying out for proper leadership from their side. If it
is genuine then a way out can be found.

Now BA’s plans are in the open I would like to send this message to
everyone who has either left BASSA, voted NO, or to a lesser extent not
voted. You have been given your say and the majority has spoken. If you
have any integrity you should accept Bill Francis’s offer straight away
because your actions and votes are a tacit acceptance of what BA propose.
Don’t sit back and see if your brave colleagues who voted YES can fight
your fight for you. That is cowardice, you have made your bed and now you
must lie in it, alongside Bill. Good Luck, it has been nice knowing you.

I now turn to those magnificent 78.5%. You have made BASSA what it is; on
behalf of the reps I say it is an honour to continue to represent you in
this on-going struggle. One day when this is over, you will look at
yourself in the mirror and say “you know what, I am proud of myself, I
stood up to bullying, intimidation and treachery and I fought for what is
right. I fought for my colleagues, my family and for my dignity. I did the
right thing”.

Next week the committee members available will meet in conjunction with
Len and Co at Unite to decide the next steps. I have listened to all your
messages, nothing is ruled in or out at this time. We must tread warily
ensuring everything is done effectively and correctly.

Regards to all those who stood tall.

Duncan

[VintageKrug]

Sadly for BASSA supporters there is no lie in the stat that just 43% of cabin crew support action; and the fact that support has been falling across every strike ballot in absolute terms.

[MartynSinclair]

Based on your post VK, how many more ballots do you estimate there needs to be before the support falls sufficiently for a strike call to fail?

[VintageKrug]

The strike call has already failed.

[Tim2soza]

@DisgustedofSwieqi – Thank-you for your kind comments.

[MartynSinclair]

That indeed is good news VK, so Sky News & Co will soon be reporting that the threat of IA by cabin crew is now over.

Presumably this also means that there will be no further need for ballots by BASSA members.

???

[VintageKrug]

To be fair to BASSA they have 28 days to announce IA after the ballot date, so could keep us waiting until mid Feb.

However, it appears BASSA received some very uncomfortable legal advice from Unite over the weekend.

Legal advice apparently suggests that:

1. The ballot was flawed (a material number on non-BASSA members ballotted, and membership records in disarray, subcontracted out by the BASSA rep tasked with – and paid for – maintaining those records).

2. Any action would be “unprotected” for cabin crew, as evidence on BASSA’s own site clearly identified the current action with previous action. BASSA has never informed its membership of the risks of unprotected action.

3. Unite itself could potentially be held liable for costs incurred by BA during the dispute….a significant sum and one which could bankrupt Unite as its finances are not as healthy as they once were.

There are also concerns elsewhere that there is no transparency as to how BASSA’s income has been accounted for; with over £2m annual dues being received by BASSA at its high point, this should be of significant concern to BASSA members.

Radio 5 at 10am seems to be holding an interview which may be of interest.

In order to settle, there would have to be a negotiated settlement, and it may well be the case that further talks with Unite, in light of this legal advice, have forced a settlement.

Well founded speculation at this point, but you should ask the nurse to keep the Day Room telly tuned to Sky News today!

This dispute does indeed seem to be entering its final days.

[VintageKrug]

Listening to 5Live, McCluckey stated he was powerless to rule out a strike over the Royal Wedding Day:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00y2098/Victoria_Derbyshire_02_02_2011/

This is in contrast to the statement he has previously made on the matter, when he clearly stated that Unite would not strike between Easter and the Royal Wedding:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE70A28P20110111

But this wouldn’t be the first contradictory statement made by Red Len….

[MartynSinclair]

“This dispute does indeed seem to be entering its final days!.

…………..indeed indeed VintageKrug. If only your dreams were true.

[MartynSinclair]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1353289/BA-strike-Royal-wedding-Legal-challenge-launched-outlaw-cabin-crew.html

Reading the papers this morning, in Asia, it seems that the BA situation is far from resolved. Whilst the theory is on this forum from both pro and anti BA Board, the fact still remains, the this dispute appears very far from

“entering its final days”.

Whether a long or short term solution is found, one needs to be found. The thought of a Flag Carrying Airline going on strike during what should be a very proud day for our country (the Royal Wedding) is a disgrace – I imagine threats for a strike during the Olympics will be the next step.

All the main contibutors to this thread, including VK/DS/Hippo/Ishmael/Alisdair and all the others, make valid, interesting and informative comments to the argument (even though factually, some may be questionable).

Its just a pity that BA/BASSA/UNITE and the BT forum, can only agree to continuously disagree.

As a passenger/customer and a loyal one at that – I would far prefer there to be a solution now, so that during what should be a very proud moment for our country, is not overshadowed by a potential IA by one of the main companies, bringing the tourists into UK PLC.

I only wish that VintageKrug’s above quote dated 2nd Feb 2011 is factually correct.

Safe travelling all.

[Travellator]

I sincerely hope this is all sorted long before the London Olympics !

[VintageKrug]

As any strike dates have to be declared by next Friday, 11th February, I do indeed think the dispute is entering its final days.

And I challenge MS; if BA settled, and it’s far from clear what an acceptable settlement would look like in BASSAworld as so far they have only laid down some relatively extreme conditions for re-engaging, not resolving this strike, what would happen after that?

The reason a stand has to be taken now is to remove this Sword of Damocles which has hung over BA. That’s not about de-unionising BA, it’s about a realistic settlement, already on the table (preservation of current T&Cs for current crew + 2.9% pay rise with immediate effect) and ensuring that the BASSA reps (now seemingly joined by the usually more moderate union, Amicus/CC89 having been infiltrated by the anarchist militant socialist http://www.socialistworker.co.uk) do not have any operational control of the airline.

I think Unite is much less militant in all this than the public pronouncements of red Len would have you believe.

I would also be very interested to see some transparent accounts for the £2m+ annual subs BASSA has collected from its membership annually. None are produced at BASSA level, as far as I can see, which is scandalous.

[MartynSinclair]

VK – replace the word “settled” with “both sides agreeing a solution”.

Months ago, it was a case of BA should NEVER negotiate. Strangle BASSA, kill em off, then the BA board can plan for the future. Your comments a few days ago, that the strike is “entering its final days” is clearly not altogether correct, based on current known facts.

I agree with all your arguments about who should be running BA (the board), why is BA in business (profit for sharehoders) etc etc.

Contrary to what you and others may believe, I am also hoping for a long term solution, but with the Royal Wedding and the Olympics on the agenda for UK Plc, there has to be a break through in this dispute WITHOUT either side having to settle. UK Plc need these events to succeed and if it takes a negotiated settlement by each side in this dispute, then it should be encouraged to happen BEFORE the young couple get married.

So in answer to your question, what would happen, like the Egyptions and the Israeli’s made peace all those years ago, each side lived in relative harmony with trade and tourism between the countries flourishing. The M E political situation has now taken a turn and what will happen tomorrow, nobody can tell.

Whilst I would not for one minute compare the actual events of the M E to the BA/BASSA-UNITE situation, the fundamental principles are the same. 2 sides, one hell bent on destroying the other, managing to find peace and a solution and a historic handshake.

If BA and the BASSA manage to follow that example, it will afford BA sufficient time to reallign their business, because unlike the M E situation, where population is increasing, with BASSA, the population is decreasing.

For as long as you have said, kill off BASSA, I have taken the view that it will not happen & should not happen.

I think your analogy of the Sword of Damocles is a little extreme. BASSA may be strong in terms of legal options, but their strength relies on UK’s employment laws, in that it allows then to do what they do.

[Sparepocket]

Would it be fair to say that UK Plc is ultimately at the mercy of mass action carried out by employees?
The Olympics and The Wedding could be seriously disrupted should various travel and infrastructure employees decide to strike and one has to ask if there is anything, beyond total acquiesance, that the bosses can do?
In the meantime, international passengers will continue avoiding BA/Iberia or whatever it’s called now.

[Author]

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