BAA strike

Arandorastar

How is BAA changing or proposing to change the pension scheme? and how will those changes that they are propsing now (ie closing the scheme to new employees) affect existing employees?
Having been responsible for pensions before I retired I think I know the answer but I think it would help if people not in the know understood the issues. Employees and their union will/should know them, of course, but if the public at large, especially affected passengers, is to sympathise they too should understand.
Just as a matter of interest, how much does an employee currently contribute to the existing FPS? Has that been increased since the crash that precipitated the crisis in all pension schemes? And has BAA proposed an increase in the employees' contribution to preserve future rights?

keepinggoing

We are due to fly to Prague on January 7th for a four night stay.
It's not the holiday of a lifetime but having spent all our married life bringing up five children and only ever having had one holiday on our own we booked this break in July and have been looking forward to spending a few days not having to do anything other than what WE want to do.
Now it looks as though that will be taken away from us and due to the nature of my husbands job it's extremely unlikely that we will be able to reschedule.

Some of the posts are encouraging so not totally downhearted yet but I don't feel it's fair that people can be allowed to affect someone else's plans in this way. I wonder how happy they would be working the seven day weeks at upto 13 hours a day that my husband always works in the two month run up to Christmas delivering internet orders and presents. He and his colleagues work hard to try and ensure these parcels, wine cases, flowers etc are delivered and people aren't disappointed, with little thanks when people have to get out of bed to open the door on Sunday mornings! It's a pity that others don't approach their work with the same integrity and consideration.

I'm not saying that BAA are right in what they want to do but business is business and they have to do what is right for today. The company I work for doesn't recognise unions so we don't have one. There were huge changes to our pension scheme a while ago and we just had to accept it, but at least we do have one and people should be aware that there are plenty that don't and should consider themselves among the fortunate few.

Maybe the public should vote with their feet and wherever possible use a different airport when travelling in the future so that the people holding us to ransom over these possible strikes value us a little more.

rich_45

Any idea when the likes of British Airways will comment on this, and what they will offer the people who have flights booked for the 7th? Is there a possibility that long haul flights will be re-routed to Manchester? It's awful being in limbo like this...................

poppyolivia

I thought they had til the 28th to say what was happening..but can't see it now or we would have heard...fingers crossed.....

When you think of all those people crying out for jobs too......makes you wonder!!!!

vermont100

Arandorastar wrote: »

How is BAA changing or proposing to change the pension scheme? and how will those changes that they are propsing now (ie closing the scheme to new employees) affect existing employees?
Having been responsible for pensions before I retired I think I know the answer but I think it would help if people not in the know understood the issues. Employees and their union will/should know them, of course, but if the public at large, especially affected passengers, is to sympathise they too should understand.
Just as a matter of interest, how much does an employee currently contribute to the existing FPS? Has that been increased since the crash that precipitated the crisis in all pension schemes? And has BAA proposed an increase in the employees' contribution to preserve future rights?

current employees contribute quitea substantial amount each month.it hasnt increased recently and the reason it hasnt and this is the key point, the scheme is well funded well run and not in any sort of financial trouble. in fact baa took a 7 year pension holiday where they made no contributions. obviously if the scheme was in trouble we would be reasonable and pay more or accept changes , but why change when there is no problem. if you have a pensions background you should be able to research the fact that its widely accepted that the baa fs pension scheme is one of the best in the country. one last thing if the scheme is closed to new employees the roll on effect too existing members is that as workers retire no one is back filling the scheme with money which is when problems will arise.

vermont100

poppyolivia wrote: »

I thought they had til the 28th to say what was happening..but can't see it now or we would have heard...fingers crossed.....

When you think of all those people crying out for jobs too......makes you wonder!!!!

very strange post indeed

rustybbb

BAA worker - maybe, but what you really are is an arrogant selfish !!!!. You and yours have ruined Christmas for me and my family now go ahead and ruin a lifetimes planned trip for all of us. Do your worst, my only satisfaction is in knowing that if you carry on with your ruining militant display then sooner rather than later Ferrovial will do for you.

In a position like yours you have a duty of care to your fellow man, I don't have a final salary pension, look around not many of us actually do, but I am not to blame for any dispute between you and your employer any more than you would be between me and mine!

poppyolivia

vermont100 wrote: »

very strange post indeed

but if you like it press the thanks button...mind you do you want paid for doing that?;)

Well it looks like they couldn't come to an agreement...theres a shocker!!!..:p

poppyolivia

rustybbb wrote: »

BAA worker - maybe, but what you really are is an arrogant selfish !!!!. You and yours have ruined Christmas for me and my family now go ahead and ruin a lifetimes planned trip for all of us. Do your worst, my only satisfaction is in knowing that if you carry on with your ruining militant display then sooner rather than later Ferrovial will do for you.

In a position like yours you have a duty of care to your fellow man, I don't have a final salary pension, look around not many of us actually do, but I am not to blame for any dispute between you and your employer any more than you would be between me and mine!

thank you...at the end of the day there is alot more posts saying that holidays are ruined compared to 'futures' are ruined...kinda tells you something eh?
Let them get on with it....and what I'm gonna write here would get me chucked off the forum but you can guess!!!;) :rotfl:

vermont100

keepinggoing wrote: »

We are due to fly to Prague on January 7th for a four night stay.
It's not the holiday of a lifetime but having spent all our married life bringing up five children and only ever having had one holiday on our own we booked this break in July and have been looking forward to spending a few days not having to do anything other than what WE want to do.
Now it looks as though that will be taken away from us and due to the nature of my husbands job it's extremely unlikely that we will be able to reschedule.

Some of the posts are encouraging so not totally downhearted yet but I don't feel it's fair that people can be allowed to affect someone else's plans in this way. I wonder how happy they would be working the seven day weeks at upto 13 hours a day that my husband always works in the two month run up to Christmas delivering internet orders and presents. He and his colleagues work hard to try and ensure these parcels, wine cases, flowers etc are delivered and people aren't disappointed, with little thanks when people have to get out of bed to open the door on Sunday mornings! It's a pity that others don't approach their work with the same integrity and consideration.

I'm not saying that BAA are right in what they want to do but business is business and they have to do what is right for today. The company I work for doesn't recognise unions so we don't have one. There were huge changes to our pension scheme a while ago and we just had to accept it, but at least we do have one and people should be aware that there are plenty that don't and should consider themselves among the fortunate few.

Maybe the public should vote with their feet and wherever possible use a different airport when travelling in the future so that the people holding us to ransom over these possible strikes value us a little more.

i have sympathy with you and i honestly believe this will be resolved before the strike days. reference the rest of your post most baa employees work 12 hour shifts some starting at 5 in the morning others working nights bank holidays christmas day new years eve . what im trying to say is your not the only ones working long hours. some of the views you make are pointless . everyone can get themeselves a pension you make it sound like im lucky to have one. the union is there to defend the workforce and this is the process taking place . its about time you realised that the baa have caused this problem ........ the present scheme is financially sound well run not in any trouble .......so why change it? by way your husband must be working over his hours for the week , 100 hours plus a week ? sounds like you need a union .this 2007 not 1887