AA patrol workers' strike to begin on May 2

worldtraveller

The AA has confirmed that it will stage a series of two-day strikes, starting from May 2, in a row over changes to its pension scheme, the Independent Democratic Union (IDU) announced today.

Patrol staff voted yesterday to strike for the first time in the organisation’s 105-year history. The IDU said there had been no response from the company after it announced that 57 per cent of its AA employees had voted in favour of a strike on a turnout of 87 per cent.

The walkout will leave 15 million members facing an uncertain wait at the roadside and will add to concerns about mounting industrial unrest following a walkout by British Airways staff and anticipated strikes from Network Rail.

Independent garages might be the only winners as the AA plans to hire private recovery patrols in a contingency plan to avoid leaving motorists stranded. “Our priority will be the best level of service for our members and we will use everything available to deliver that,” a spokesman said.

TimesOnline

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Somehow I doubt that 15 million people will break down.

BenL

No 15 million won't break down but "It would normally expect to deal with 40,000 vehicle breakdowns over the busy bank holiday period."

Increased tailbacks on all major routes will probably occur due to lack of cover, you can probably forget about using the M5 as it will be littered with cars breaking down on the trip to Devon/Cornwall.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Except people don't normally drive on the hard shoulder.

The_AA_Company_Representative

I read your comments and as I work for the AA I thought I would respond and hopefully clarify. We are still working very hard to resolve the dispute, but if the strike goes ahead, we have lots of measures in place to ensure that all our members are looked after and not left stranded at the roadside. We will have a large number of our patrols working as normal as the majority of patrols either voted against the strike, didn’t vote or aren’t members of the union. If you break down during this period, don’t hesitate to give us a call on the usual numbers - 0800 88 77 66 or 0121 275 3746.

Dick_Van_Dyke

Exactly its the unions trying to instill a panic in the dumb that will never happen.
The AA patrolmen like BA staff will quickly find they are easily replaceable and back down.

Ionkontrol

They sub contract like any other company.
There is a large breakdown garage down the road from me, and depending on whoever the punter is insured with, tney put on the appropriate jacket.
No need to pay AA prices for breakdown cover.

wealdroam

Ionkontrol wrote: »

They sub contract like any other company.

Not totally. They do have some in-house staff.

LandyAndy

I'm with the RAC.

Inactive

!!!!!!_Van_Dyke wrote: »

Exactly its the unions trying to instill a panic in the dumb that will never happen.
The AA patrolmen like BA staff will quickly find they are easily replaceable and back down.

So they just roll over and let the AA reduce their pension rights then?:(

mchale

Debaa wrote: »

I read your comments and as I work for the AA I thought I would respond and hopefully clarify. We are still working very hard to resolve the dispute, but if the strike goes ahead, we have lots of measures in place to ensure that all our members are looked after and not left stranded at the roadside. We will have a large number of our patrols working as normal as the majority of patrols either voted against the strike, didn’t vote or aren’t members of the union. If you break down during this period, don’t hesitate to give us a call on the usual numbers - 0800 88 77 66 or 0121 275 3746.

Can you clarify that statement with some figures please