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

Cleaver

nearlynew wrote: »

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.

Of couse. But I was just taking issue with your hardman comment of not "giving a f*ck". You can support strike action and still give a f*ck about people who are inconvenienced.

Alan_Cross

The simple-mindedness of the union bashers here makes you giggle.

They can't understand the simple concept that a union can be forced into such a corner by ruthless and exploitative management practice that it is, to all intents and purposes, the latter which has brought about the strike and not the union.

Risible righties. They're the first to complain when they have their right to object to something intolerable removed.

ThrowingStonesAtYou

C_Mababejive wrote: »

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.

If the pay and conditions are that bad there are plenty of other airline companies and the staff are free to leave. Of course, the reality is that the pay and conditions are by far the best in the industry.

I've been in the situation myself where I was being underpaid and unhappy with the terms of my employment - I left and got a better paid job somewhere else. Anyone who thinks they have a right to dictate their terms of employment to their employer is a misguided fool, and in our global economy this sort of 'protectionism' of excessive pay is going to hurt us.

I'd bet those who jealously guard their 'right to strike' would soon change their tune if they started up a company and started making money and then the staff suddenly decided to destroy everything you have just because they want a free lunch.

ThrowingStonesAtYou

Alan_Cross wrote: »

The simple-mindedness of the union bashers here makes you giggle.

They can't understand the simple concept that a union can be forced into such a corner by ruthless and exploitative management practice that it is, to all intents and purposes, the latter which has brought about the strike and not the union.

Risible righties. They're the first to complain when they have their right to object to something intolerable removed.

The union members are not forced to do anything. They are free to leave and go work somewhere else if they don't like the terms of their job. Even the most 'simple-minded' should be able to understand that.

silvercar

I object to the timing of the strike in particular. Striking Xmas week means mainly holiday makers are hit. Just feel sad that families will have a holiday that they have been looking forward to for ages spoilt.

StevieJ

Afriend wrote: »

Without the benefit mass farming with machines, there probably won't be enough for everyone.
The whole collectivisation thingy majiggy.

Oh you mean not strike for 12 days but 12 months, actually I think they should go on strike when you consider how much the supermarkets have ground them down :eek:

aardvaak

I don't agree with the strike - However I can never understand why people have to make the mad dash out of the country at Christmas - whats wrong with having Christmas here - I am - I thought everyone was supposed to be hard up at present!

dacouch

They need a big salary to pay for all of the make up they use

Cleaver

aardvaak wrote: »

I don't agree with the strike - However I can never understand why people have to make the mad dash out of the country at Christmas - whats wrong with having Christmas here

I hate to point out the obvious, but many people have family in different countries, work and live in different places etc. etc.

bootman

I've been following this on the Pprune website which has got heated at times as crew join in. Some crew can earn up to £70k with BA. They get so may allowances its unreal just for turning up and doing their job.