BAA strike

bagand96

angy400 wrote: »

I am flying from SFO to Spain through Heathrow on Dec. 16th coming home, same route, Jan 5th. My getting to Spain will be no problem but coming home may be. I am flying with British Airways. What is their policy if I am stuck in Spain and cant get home? Will they rebook me through Spain on another airline??
Angela

Little chance of rebooking. It is not British Airways (BA) going on strike, but is BAA (former British Airports Authority) who own and operate Heathrow, and Gatwick, and Stansted. If they strike, no airlines will be flying from those airports on those days.

The strike is not confirmed yet though.

teeb

bagand96 wrote: »

Little chance of rebooking. It is not British Airways (BA) going on strike, but is BAA (former British Airports Authority) who own and operate Heathrow, and Gatwick, and Stansted. If they strike, no airlines will be flying from those airports on those days.

The strike is not confirmed yet though.

They also own and run Glasgow International, Edinburgh International, and Aberdeen Airport, thus having a near-monopoly on Scottish flights (except for Prestwick, and smaller airports like Inverness). And Southampton Airport.

bagand96

teeb wrote: »

They also own and run Glasgow International, Edinburgh International, and Aberdeen Airport, thus having a near-monopoly on Scottish flights (except for Prestwick, and smaller airports like Inverness). And Southampton Airport.

Yes of course I only listed the London ones as it was in the context of angy400's post. Hopefully the BAA management see sense.

angel

What dates will be affected?

I'm flying on Boxing Day and have already had to re-book as my original flight was cancelled. I'm starting to feel like my first ever Christmas with my fiance is jinxed. It's all so upsetting.

bagand96

There are no set dates yet. The unions are in the ballot process currently. From the Transport and General Workers Union:

The strike ballot will start on November 29, close on December 20 and be run independently of the union. It will cover Unite members at BAA's seven airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

In the event of a 'yes' vote the union will have a period of 28 days to take any action, and is required to give 7 days notice.

From reading that, it seems that a strike can commence on December 27th at the very earliest. I'd advise people to monitor the T&GWU website http://www.tgwu.org.uk/ although if and when a strike is called I guess it will be all over the press.

TonyMcQueen

It can start anytime after the 27th - although there's talk around the terminal it'll be 72 hour airport shutdown starting on the 1st.
Although the actual dates we will close the airports be officially announced on the 20th.

- Although if BAA stop caring about their profits, start treating their workers with respect and give us the full pay pension we deserve it need never happen.

teeb wrote: »

Quick question - if the strike does go through is anyone aware of the starting date it would take?

I don't want to be trapped in France for Xmas! He says having already been trapped in France once due to the SNCF striking

angel

Just took out travel insurance, this scare is just the push that I needed!

Retiringtype

TonyMcQueen wrote: »

It can start anytime after the 27th

Is that right ? I must be in the US by the 28th and currently have a flight booked on 27th - is it definite that a strike could not begin until 28th?

Does 7 days notice mean 7 clear days, or does it mean that a strike could start on the 7th day ?

mad_rich

TonyMcQueen wrote: »

I am a BAA worker

...

We are the engine behind the airport, it's about time that the spanish management recognised that without us... there is no airport.

I am a passenger and it's time you realise that without us... you have no job. There are plenty of other airports.

Strike if you must, but you lose any sympathy I had for you.

vermont100

mad rich i understand what your saying but lets be honest our pensions are the priority here...... dont know what you have planned for your retirement but if anyone tries to take itaway dont come bleating on here