Why do we hate Unions? Look at BA...

Cleaver

ThrowingStonesAtYou wrote: »

BA staff won't go anywhere else because they are in virtual luxury earning a fortune for a low skilled job that from the job requirements posted here before, 95% of the working population would be able to do.

That's the crux of the issue for me. As I said before, good luck to anyone who can earn good money. I don't begrudge anyone anything.

But if I had well-below average qualifications and experience and was earning well-above average earnings, I'd keep quiet and probably be quite happy with my lot.

Cleaver

nearlynew wrote: »

I agree with you cleaver that they seem overpaid for what is essentially unskilled work.
Glorified waitresses if you like.

In this economic climate I'd be inclined to keep my head down and mouth shut and not draw attention to the fact.

My point, which I think you understand, is that regardless of the stupidity of their union's actions, it is important that they retain the right to strike.

I think you may have me convinced on this Nearly, I'm struggling with my own thoughts on this 'right to strike' issue. I think we're on the same page really as I do suppport anyone's right to strike, although I just don't think this lot should be.

ThrowingStonesAtYou

I'm happy for them to have the right to strike, provided that if the employer has been acting reasonably (which they have in this case) and goes bust as a result of the strike the employees who voted to strike forfeit pension rights and are held liable for any debts that are unpaid when the business goes under.

nearlynew

ThrowingStonesAtYou wrote: »

I'm happy for them to have the right to strike, provided that if the employer has been acting reasonably (which they have in this case) and goes bust as a result of the strike the employees forfeit pension rights and are held liable for any debts that are unpaid when the business goes under.

The company has been in the !!!!!! for a while now.

check out the share price......

http://www.lse.co.uk/ShareChart.asp?sharechart=BAY

So I hope that applies to the managers and directors as well.

Cleaver

nearlynew wrote: »

The company has been in the !!!!!! for a while now.

check out the share price......

http://www.lse.co.uk/ShareChart.asp?sharechart=BAY

So I hope that applies to the managers and directors as well.

Oh God, I agree with that as well.

You'll convince me to get 'Debt is Not Wealth' tattooed across my back in large, gothic lettering in a minute.

ThrowingStonesAtYou

nearlynew wrote: »

The company has been in the !!!!!! for a while now.

check out the share price......

http://www.lse.co.uk/ShareChart.asp?sharechart=BAY

So I hope that applies to the managers and directors as well.

Maybe it has, but it's provided employment and taxes to help our country keep going. Just because they've been doing badly doesn't mean it's ok deliberately bring the company down. This does impact the rest of us, and not just by a few people having their holidays ruined over xmas.

If the managers and directors voted to strike (can directors even do that?) then yes of course it would also apply to them.

nearlynew

Cleaver wrote: »

Oh God, I agree with that as well.

You'll convince me to get 'Debt is Not Wealth' tattooed across my back in large, gothic lettering in a minute.

..... and don't forget "inflation is theft" on your nob.

C_Mababejive

I dont think we should use the BA dispute as an attack on the entire trade union movement !

The thing is,we dont know the FACTS do we? Do we, for instance know exactly what the pay and conditions are of BA staff and also their counterparts in COMPARABLE airlines?

Its a bit like the postal strike. The facts never get out and it just becomes a public punch and judy show.

I do have a little bit of inside info on this ,,only a little mind you...and from what ive heard, this dispute is personal. Mr Walsh is very unpopular due to his mach management style and i have heard it said that staff are quite willing to bring the company to its knees becuase of it.

The best thing that can happen to save BA is for Mr Walsh to step aside and put another man at the helm. Someone,firm,fair and reasonable who will treat people with respect.

Note that I'm not talking about some kind of softy or pushover...just someone who is better at managing people.

If BA did that tomrrow..I'll bet there would be no strike and the two sides would work toward a better relationship rather than this dangerous game of poker.

As for the pension scheme...who has mismanaged it to such a degree that it is in such a precarious position?

Believe me,if my company pension scheme was in that position,I'd be more than a bit anxious too.

Cleaver

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8412799.stm

BA Christmas strike threat: Your stories.

My partner is Swiss. She has an aggressive form of breast cancer and is being treated in Zurich, so I have been over there about six times this year.

I'm fairly upset about the news. Unions seem to think that this kind of timing will give them leverage, without considering people's needs. The whole thing seems incredibly opportunistic.

I'm not the only person in Britain who has non-frivolous reasons for travel and it will be incredibly hard to get alternative transport now.

My partner is disappointed. We have been through the whole process together and it is good to be able to be supportive.

This would be her last chemotherapy session and I promised her at the start of it to be with her at every step. It's important psychologically for both of us.

Overly emotive I know. But surely you do "give a f*ck" about some people who miss flights because of this Nearly?

nearlynew wrote: »

And I don't give a f*ck for anyone who is inconvenienced by a cancelled flight

nearlynew

Cleaver wrote: »

Overly emotive I know. But surely you do "give a f*ck" about some people who miss flights because of this Nearly?

It is sad. Of course.

But ultimately one person's right to strike must come before another person's right to a flight to zurich, even if it is for visiting a sick relative.


And besides, there must be other flights available with another company.
And the train ride is nice.