16 November 2009

BA cabin crew strike ballot starts

Ballot papers have been issued to more than 12,000 British Airways cabin crew the day the carrier imposes cost cutting changes to working practices from today (Monday).

The ballot for industrial action will close on December 14 the same day as the next mass meeting of the cabin crew is planned.

If crew vote in support then strike action could start from December 21 and hit the airline over the busy peak Christmas travel period.

A High Court hearing has been set to consider the union Unite’s case further on February 1.

Unite claims that BA’s changes will place crew under "additional stress" during flights, with fewer staff required to absorb the work of colleagues who have been removed.

This will have a negative impact on health and safety, and that the service crew can provide to passengers will suffer, the union claims.

Unite has lodged a collective letter of objection on behalf of its cabin crew members with BA.

The letter makes it clear that Unite’s members, making up more than 12,000 of the entire 14,000 crew workforce, do not accept the imposed changes.

A firm of leading employment solicitors has been asked to establish an e-helpline to allow crew to feedback on the impact on both working practices and customer service.

Brian Boyd, Unite national officer for aviation, said: "The way to deliver change is through negotiation, not imposition. Of course the cabin crew are angry; they care passionately about this business but feel they are not being listened to on serious matters of service delivery.

"This business is all about its customers and the crew do not want them to suffer as a result of these changes.

"We ask BA to signal that it is willing to abandon its plans to impose change and work with us on a way forward, one which delivers for passengers, shareholders and the workforce. Then we could begin to tackle the roots of this damaging dispute and find a way forward."

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (4)

sort it out or everyone will lose out

It is never pleasant to hear about staff conflicts and I do accept that in very rare circumstances there may be a need to strike. However a strike could start a downward spiral that everyone at BA (management, staff and shareholders) could not then control. My own small example is that I am looking at booking two tickets to Australia for my own use in February. My first choice would usually be BA, but I am unlikely to do so because of their strike threats and my money will probably end up elsewhere. This saddens me. No-one at BA is going to win from this, the whole question of potential strikes has to be taken off the agenda. Even a hint of a strike can result in huge problems to revenue, which could eventually lead to far larger job reductions and an inability to pay pensions to staff. The risks from a strike are huge. It would be nice on a strike ballot if there was a 3rd option, where staff could tick a box that says "we are unhappy at the way changes are being proposed, we would like the management to recognise this, we would like the management to continue discussions with our union, but we will not be going on strike because of our loyalty to our customers and to BA. This is not a time for gung ho threats from either staff, unions or management (mentioned in no particular order). This is a time to take the whole strike threat out of the situation 'âœ and to agree not to go on strike for at least a year. Step back before it is too late, I want to book my flights with BA, my money is there but it is at the moment looking like it is going to go elsewhere, as will many other customers.

By Nick Cooper, Monday, November 23, 2009
More will be achieved with the support of customers

Stiking will not achieve anything and will alienate customers. Customers who know that it is time for spending restraint. What the union needs to do is show customers that they are reponsible and should to be listened to. By not taking industrial action and inviting customers into the debate,they will achieve far more. Allow customers to tell BA that they value service levels.Invite them to support your decision to postpone industrial action, to encourage constructive dialogue.

By Kevin Goodman, Tuesday, November 17, 2009
strike morons

if they strike that WILL BE the end of BA. Who on earth would want to employ overpaid & underworked ex BA staff ?

By Craig Mathews, Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Service Will Suffer

Two short haul flights last week proved to me that cabin crew are already suffering from complaints about the new BA seating policy and the removal of food in Economy. The reduction of cabin crew from 4 to 3 on A320s will further reduce service to customers and increase complaints to crew

By Antony Hunter, Monday, November 16, 2009