Having called off a ballot of its members, because of disunity between Unite and Bassa, Unite have taken a further step backwards from a peaceful resolution of the its seemingly never ending dispute with BA by announcing that it can no longer recommend its deal with BA to its members.
This is a rather humiliating volte face, as it was Unite that actually accepted the deal on behalf of its members (subject to their ratification in a ballot).
Evidently Unite have now lost control of the situation, and BA's management/staff would be well advised to find another route (circumventing Unite) to resolve this absurd dispute.
www.baisshite.com the latest news and views on British Airways, the world's "favourite" airline. This site contains updates on the ongoing strike action, and dispute between BA and Unite.
Showing posts with label bassa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bassa. Show all posts
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Dis-United - Ballot Called Off
Further to my earlier article today about the rift between Unite and Bassa, it seems that the two sides (in the union that is) are so far apart that Unite cannot afford the PR debacle of going to its members above the heads of Bassa.
As such, Unite have just announced that they have called off the ballot of their members.
Unite's "joint" leader, Tony Woodley, is quoted by the Press Association:
"Under these circumstances I have suspended the ballot on the offer and will meet with all of our cabin crew representatives as a matter of urgency to consider the next steps."
As I noted earlier today, until Unite sets in own house in order there will be no further progress in resolving this dispute.
This is bad news for the customers, the company and indeed the staff of BA.
www.baisshite.com the latest news and views on British Airways, the world's "favourite" airline. This site contains updates on the ongoing strike action, and dispute between BA and Unite.
As such, Unite have just announced that they have called off the ballot of their members.
Unite's "joint" leader, Tony Woodley, is quoted by the Press Association:
"Under these circumstances I have suspended the ballot on the offer and will meet with all of our cabin crew representatives as a matter of urgency to consider the next steps."
As I noted earlier today, until Unite sets in own house in order there will be no further progress in resolving this dispute.
This is bad news for the customers, the company and indeed the staff of BA.
www.baisshite.com the latest news and views on British Airways, the world's "favourite" airline. This site contains updates on the ongoing strike action, and dispute between BA and Unite.
Dis-United
It seems that hopes of a settlement of the, seemingly never ending, dispute between Unite and BA have proven to be a tad premature.
Unite, apparently, is not a united as its name would suggest. Bassa, the branch covering BA cabin crew within Unite, is refusing to back the current offer.
Whilst Bassa will under the Unite ballot ask for its members to vote, it will not recommend the offer to them.
Unite, on the other hand, is backing the deal and will write to both Unite and Bassa members recommending it.
Unless Unite and Bassa sort out their internal disagreements it is likely that this dispute will continue.
www.baisshite.com the latest news and views on British Airways, the world's "favourite" airline. This site contains updates on the ongoing strike action, and dispute between BA and Unite.
Unite, apparently, is not a united as its name would suggest. Bassa, the branch covering BA cabin crew within Unite, is refusing to back the current offer.
Whilst Bassa will under the Unite ballot ask for its members to vote, it will not recommend the offer to them.
Unite, on the other hand, is backing the deal and will write to both Unite and Bassa members recommending it.
Unless Unite and Bassa sort out their internal disagreements it is likely that this dispute will continue.
www.baisshite.com the latest news and views on British Airways, the world's "favourite" airline. This site contains updates on the ongoing strike action, and dispute between BA and Unite.
Monday, 9 August 2010
Prats!
From the Telegraph:
"Cabin crew at British Airways have been told by union activists to refuse to close aircraft window blinds after each flight because it could risk their health and safety.
The latest example of restrictive union practices at the airline was revealed in a memo circulated to workers who have taken 22 days of strike action since March in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.
The notice, posted on an online forum for the 11,000 cabin crew members of Unite, urged workers to "politely refuse" to close the shades because the task had "not been agreed" with union.
It follows the news that crew refused to distribute hot towels to passengers in its premium economy cabin, World Traveller Plus, unless the number of crew on each Boeing 747 flight was increased from 15 to 16. The hot towel service has now been introduced, but some cabin crew reportedly still refuse to give them out because it is not a union-sanctioned activity.
Cabin crew were asked by the airline to lower the shades after passengers disembark because direct sunlight can cause aircraft cabins to become uncomfortably hot while the planes are parked on stands.
The memo, seen by The Sunday Telegraph, says: "It has been brought to our attention that crew are being asked to close all the window blinds at the end of each flight. This has not been agreed with BASSA [branch of Unite] and no safe working practice has been trialled.
"The normal practice when anything new is introduced is that the Health, Safety and Welfare committee would carry out a risk assessment to confirm that everything is safe.
"Please note that no provision has been put in place for this extra duty and therefore you should not be carrying it out. If we do this it will become normal working practice and you will then become obliged to do it and then what next – pick up all the litter?
"Please politely refuse if you are asked to do this at the end of your flight."
A spokesman for Unite said it had "repudiated" the memo because unofficial action was illegal, and said the instruction should be ignored. "This just shows the level of ill-feeling on both sides of this dispute," he said.
A BA spokesman said: "Asking crew to close window blinds before they leave the aircraft is a reasonable request with absolutely no health and safety implications.
"Closing the blinds helps to keep the cabin cool while the aircraft is parked. This allows reduces the need for air conditioning power units on the ground, saving carbon emissions.
"It also provides a comfortable environment for customers and crew boarding for the next flight, and helps to ensure a punctual departure."
Talks between BA and Unite are set to continue on Monday in a bid to avert more strikes next month.
www.baisshite.com the latest news and views on British Airways, the world's "favourite" airline. This site contains updates on the ongoing strike action, and dispute between BA and Unite.
"Cabin crew at British Airways have been told by union activists to refuse to close aircraft window blinds after each flight because it could risk their health and safety.
The latest example of restrictive union practices at the airline was revealed in a memo circulated to workers who have taken 22 days of strike action since March in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.
The notice, posted on an online forum for the 11,000 cabin crew members of Unite, urged workers to "politely refuse" to close the shades because the task had "not been agreed" with union.
It follows the news that crew refused to distribute hot towels to passengers in its premium economy cabin, World Traveller Plus, unless the number of crew on each Boeing 747 flight was increased from 15 to 16. The hot towel service has now been introduced, but some cabin crew reportedly still refuse to give them out because it is not a union-sanctioned activity.
Cabin crew were asked by the airline to lower the shades after passengers disembark because direct sunlight can cause aircraft cabins to become uncomfortably hot while the planes are parked on stands.
The memo, seen by The Sunday Telegraph, says: "It has been brought to our attention that crew are being asked to close all the window blinds at the end of each flight. This has not been agreed with BASSA [branch of Unite] and no safe working practice has been trialled.
"The normal practice when anything new is introduced is that the Health, Safety and Welfare committee would carry out a risk assessment to confirm that everything is safe.
"Please note that no provision has been put in place for this extra duty and therefore you should not be carrying it out. If we do this it will become normal working practice and you will then become obliged to do it and then what next – pick up all the litter?
"Please politely refuse if you are asked to do this at the end of your flight."
A spokesman for Unite said it had "repudiated" the memo because unofficial action was illegal, and said the instruction should be ignored. "This just shows the level of ill-feeling on both sides of this dispute," he said.
A BA spokesman said: "Asking crew to close window blinds before they leave the aircraft is a reasonable request with absolutely no health and safety implications.
"Closing the blinds helps to keep the cabin cool while the aircraft is parked. This allows reduces the need for air conditioning power units on the ground, saving carbon emissions.
"It also provides a comfortable environment for customers and crew boarding for the next flight, and helps to ensure a punctual departure."
Talks between BA and Unite are set to continue on Monday in a bid to avert more strikes next month.
www.baisshite.com the latest news and views on British Airways, the world's "favourite" airline. This site contains updates on the ongoing strike action, and dispute between BA and Unite.
Monday, 17 May 2010
BA Strike Update - Guerrilla Campaign
British Airways (BA) is making a last ditch attempt to avert strike action by cabin crew this week, by going to the High Court to claim that a message sent to Unite members on Twitter outlining the result of the ballot was unlawful; because it failed to meet a legal requirement to provide everyone who took part with a full breakdown of results. Specifically how many votes were cast, how many voted for industrial action, how many voted against and the number of spoiled papers.
Meanwhile Duncan Holley, a branch secretary of the British Airline Stewards and Stewardesses Association (Bassa), which is part of Unite, has told the media that if no agreement is reached, the union could switch to a "guerrilla campaign" designed to sow confusion among customers for up to a year.
Are these people farking mad?
Do they not understand that this ongoing dispute will destroy the brand once and for all, and put them all out of work?
To add to BA's problems, the volcano is acting up again!
Meanwhile Duncan Holley, a branch secretary of the British Airline Stewards and Stewardesses Association (Bassa), which is part of Unite, has told the media that if no agreement is reached, the union could switch to a "guerrilla campaign" designed to sow confusion among customers for up to a year.
Are these people farking mad?
Do they not understand that this ongoing dispute will destroy the brand once and for all, and put them all out of work?
To add to BA's problems, the volcano is acting up again!
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