Someone said something interesting to me yesterday about the BA dispute. We were talking about why the Unite union is persisting with strike action and he highlighted a possible motive that MIGHT have some merit.
Probably the best chance for future union longevity is re-nationalisation. If this strike brings BA to its knees there is a compelling argument that says the government would have to step in rather like they did with the banks except more so.
An interesting concept.
He also told me how sour relationships between striking and non striking crews has become. For example it has been said that some strikers have been running their keys along the side of non strikers cars in the staff car parks. how nice and democratic that is.
Meanwhile the BA tough stance continues. Again there is a view that if BA gave strikers back their travel perks the whole thing would be over. BA is saying that they made it absolutely clear from the outset that if people went on strike this perk would be gone for good and they cannot or will not go back on it. Meanwhile BA has taken the opportunity to sack one particular union rep that has been causing huge discord for years and this too illustrates their stance.
Showing posts with label Cabin Crew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cabin Crew. Show all posts
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Saturday, 20 February 2010
An Open Letter to British Airways
Dear Mr Walsh
I am writing today to apply for the part-time job of cabin crew.
This will probably come as a big a surprise to you as it was to my wife. "Don't be ridiculous" she said. "You are 61, retired and can barely boil an egg". Whilst she is right on at least two counts I still feel compelled to publicly put myself forward for this position and explain why.
There is a real chance that by the time this message gets to you the Unite union may have their mandate to call a BA cabin crew strike as it seems that despite losing two court cases they will not listen to the obvious reasons why they shouldn't. If they go ahead then you will, I am sure, do everything you can to minimise disruption to your passengers and operate a full schedule. This is where I come in. Despite maybe seeming rather absurd I feel compelled to offer even my services if it means playing a part in halting this militant union's self destructive action. Please allow me to explain why I feel so strongly.
Unless I am missing something you already pay your cabin crew more salary and allowances than competing airlines. Unless I am missing something else I understand that you have already come to agreements with other sections of your team (pilots etc) who have understood that you have to become competitive or suffer the likely consequences. Finally I believe your new package on offer has been amended after negotiation in order to make it far more palatable to existing staff who will still be better off than flying for Virgin and most other airlines.
Frankly I do not really understand why such a 'no brainer' of a deal is being rejected by the Unite union. To me it is because they are either naïve or have another agenda. Could it be that they see this as a means to go back to the old union 'glory days' of the Scargil era. I hope not but they already seem to be using some of the old terminology that most people hoped had been consigned to the history books.
Mr Walsh, please consider my offer and let me know if you need my c.v. I think you find I have rather a broad experience of flying going back 40 years or so and, despite what my wife says, I make a mean boiled egg! Call on me and I will be there and I expect many others would too.
Yours sincerely
Mike Platt
Former Managing Director of HRG UK
I am writing today to apply for the part-time job of cabin crew.
This will probably come as a big a surprise to you as it was to my wife. "Don't be ridiculous" she said. "You are 61, retired and can barely boil an egg". Whilst she is right on at least two counts I still feel compelled to publicly put myself forward for this position and explain why.
There is a real chance that by the time this message gets to you the Unite union may have their mandate to call a BA cabin crew strike as it seems that despite losing two court cases they will not listen to the obvious reasons why they shouldn't. If they go ahead then you will, I am sure, do everything you can to minimise disruption to your passengers and operate a full schedule. This is where I come in. Despite maybe seeming rather absurd I feel compelled to offer even my services if it means playing a part in halting this militant union's self destructive action. Please allow me to explain why I feel so strongly.
Unless I am missing something you already pay your cabin crew more salary and allowances than competing airlines. Unless I am missing something else I understand that you have already come to agreements with other sections of your team (pilots etc) who have understood that you have to become competitive or suffer the likely consequences. Finally I believe your new package on offer has been amended after negotiation in order to make it far more palatable to existing staff who will still be better off than flying for Virgin and most other airlines.
Frankly I do not really understand why such a 'no brainer' of a deal is being rejected by the Unite union. To me it is because they are either naïve or have another agenda. Could it be that they see this as a means to go back to the old union 'glory days' of the Scargil era. I hope not but they already seem to be using some of the old terminology that most people hoped had been consigned to the history books.
Mr Walsh, please consider my offer and let me know if you need my c.v. I think you find I have rather a broad experience of flying going back 40 years or so and, despite what my wife says, I make a mean boiled egg! Call on me and I will be there and I expect many others would too.
Yours sincerely
Mike Platt
Former Managing Director of HRG UK
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