BA Strike Update - The War of Words Continues

As the long suffering passengers endure another day of the British Airways (BA) strike, the union (Unite) and management continue to pummel each other verbally.

The latest verbal bombardment in the increasingly bitter dispute between Unite and management (I get the feeling that some of the staff are not necessarily as "enthusiastic" towrds this strike as Unite, who claim to represent them) comes from Unite, who claim that BA are using the world's most expensive cabin crew.

BA have drafted in pilots to replace staff who have gone on strike.

Meanwhile BA management claim that 63% of crew rostered to work had reported for duty on Saturday, 6% more than during the previous weekend's industrial action.

BA also claim that more than 60,000 passengers were flown by BA on Saturday on 470 flights, compared with 43,000 on 350 flights last Saturday.

Unite dispute the figures.

Meanwhile, the brand value and possible the ariline itself is being destroyed day by day.

This will end badly, whoever claims final "victory".

BA Strike Update - No Compromise

In a phrase reminiscent of the Reverend Ian Paisley, Willie Wash (CEO of British Airways) has insisted that travel perks will "never" be reinstated for striking cabin crew. In an interview on the BBC he said that there would be no "compromise" on this.

With a second strike due to start at midnight, Walsh has said that there are no plans for talks with Unite.

BA management seem to be using the dispute to break the power and control of Unite over the staff.

For its part Unite is being equally intransigent, and has said that any peace deal must now include giving back travel concessions to cabin crew.

It is clear that the dispute is getting nasty. Whilst the union and management seek to knock "six bells" out of each other, the long suffering passengers are ignored and left to find alternative means of transport.

The end result of this strike, as and when it happens, will be the destruction of the BA brand and the loss of many more jobs.

Hardly a victory for either the union or management.

BA Strike Update - BA Ups The Ante

British Airways (BA) are playing hard ball with striking cabin crew.

Cabin crew who have taken part in the recent 3 day strike will lose their travel perks permanently.

These perks entitle staff to for free and heavily discounted flights, depending on how long they have worked for BA.

Anyone who expects this dispute to be resolved anytime soon may well be disappointed.

BA Strike Update - Strike Costs £7M Per Day

Whatever the truth of claims made by Unite and the management of British Airways (BA) over the effectiveness, or otherwise, of the strike it is clear that damage is being done both to the brand and finances of the company.

The strike is costing £7M per day (according to The Times) and is taking untold damage on the brand value of BA.

Given that four more days, next weekend, of expensive chaos are planned the question must now be asked:

"Do we really need a national flag carrier that damages the brand value of the country?"

BA Strike Update - Scottish Disruption

Most British Airways (BA) flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London Heathrow have been cancelled this morning, although some are scheduled for the afternoon.

However, most flights to Gatwick from Scotland are expected to go ahead.

BA Strike Update - Talks Collapse

The BBC reports that the talks between Unite and British Airways (BA) management have collapsed.

The strike will go ahead.

A three day strike will begin at midnight on Saturday, followed by a four day strike starting on 27 March.

As to whether BA exists in its present form in year's time is now a very pertinent question.

BA Strike Chaos Looms Update

Those optimistic souls who hope and pray for a last minute peace deal between Unite and British Airways (BA) will be bitterly disappointed.

Even if a peace deal is negotiated today, there will still be chaos tomorrow when the strike begins. A full BA schedule cannot be reinstated in time for tomorrow.

To add to travel woes in the UK, the dinosaurs in the RMT (under the leadership of Crowe) have decreed that Easter rail services will be disrupted by strikes.

Crowe has told the public not to bother booking rail travel during Easter.

BA Strike Update - Unite Seek To Internationalise Strike

The BBC reports that the British Airways (BA) union Unite is to meet its US counterpart Teamsters today to discuss the strike.

Unite are expected to ask the Teamsters to refuse to handle any BA flights that land in the US.

60% Of BA Flights To Operate During Strike

British Airways (BA) has announced that approximately 60% of all of its flights will still be operating during the two strike periods. However, of these, only 30% of short haul services will be operating.

All long-haul flights to and from Gatwick Airport will be operating.

Full schedules have already been announced for the first days of the strike, covering March 20th, 21st and 22nd. However, BA has not yet announced any plans for the second strike period between March 27th and 30th.

BA Strike Update

A BA source has told the BBC that it was "fairly likely" that there would be an announcement this afternoon about which BA flights will be cancelled this weekend because of the strike.

Destroying The Brand - Strike

Unite and BA management continue to do their best to destroy the BA brand.

The BA cabin crew strike will go ahead, for three days from 20 March and for four days from 27 March.

Unite state that they will not strike over Easter. However, they warn that there may be more strikes after 14 April.

No company lasts forever, the union and management of BA would do well to remember that.