Back To Work

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Yesterday saw the last of the series of five-day strikes by some members of British Airways’ cabin crew which has disrupted the airline’s business and inconvenienced thousands of passengers. Now Unite, the union involved, is considering balloting its members for further strike action.

The dispute arises from proposed changes in the airline’s staffing levels and working conditions and the sticking point seems to centre around the withdrawal of travel concessions for those who went on strike.

Though discounted travel is certainly a perk enjoyed by those employed in the travel industry, there must be few companies that give free travel, and it is a surprise to learn that some BA staff members actually rely on free travel to get themselves to work.

Against a background of rising operating costs and falling passenger loads, British Airways surely have no choice but to try to reduce their own expenses. Haven't the strikers realised this?
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More Grief!

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The Department of Transport has issued a warning that the ash cloud from the still-erupting Icelandic Eyjafjallokull volcano could disrupt British airspace from today through to Tuesday.

If they are correct, the skies will clear just in time for the latest strike of British Airways cabin crew.

Good grief!
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Madness

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After two failed strikes costing the airline millions plus the effect of the airspace closure costing even more, British Airways cabin crew are threatening to strike once again with four waves of five-day walkouts.

A British Airways spokesman accused the crew’s union, Unite, of showing a callous disregard for the travelling public.

That’s quite right. But this madness also threatens BA’s financial situation as well.
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‘Those That Can ...’

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The Guardian has published a letter from over 100 leading academics saying that British Airway’s radical stance against striking cabin staff and their union, Unite, could erode workers’ rights across the UK. I note that there is not a word about the union’s overly aggressive stance towards the airline which has been attempting to negotiate with it for the past twelve months.

Part of their statement reads: ‘The wider significance of a triumph of unilateral management prerogative would be a widening of the representation gap in UK employment relations, and a further erosion of worker rights and of that most precious of commodities – democracy.’

Managers have the right to manage a business in the way they deem fit and proper. Unions have a right to uphold the interests of their members. What democracy has to do with it, I don’t see, particularly as our country has more than enough laws and regulations to safeguard the employment rights of people.

The statement refers to ‘worker rights’. Does this, I wonder, refer to the free and discounted travel that striking cabin staff have now forfeited, having been clearly warned in advance that this would be a consequence of their actions? We need to remind ourselves that these strikes have so far cost British Airways £21 millions and merely add to their problems in trying to profitably operate an airline at a time of financial recession, rising costs and reducing passenger carryings.

The statement also criticises British Airways ‘marshalling of resources, including those of bitter industry rival Ryanair, to undermine the action of [BA] staff?’. What on earth did these academics expect the BA management to do faced with a strike of sections of their staff; roll over and let them create deeper losses?

The academics have made their point. But the old adage about those who can, do: those that can’t, teach come to mind.
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A ‘Bung’?

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Unite, the largest union in Britain has donated almost £30 millions to the Labour Party over the past decade, leading to claims that it has the party in its pocket.

I don’t know whether this claim is true or not, though I have my own views on the subject, but a report in the Daily Telegraph this morning reveals that the union has, in turn, received £18 millions of taxpayers' money since 1998 under Labour.

It appears that the government controls two little-known funds, the Union Modernisation Fund and the Union Learning Fund, set up to improve training and skills for union members. Unite, it seems, was the biggest beneficiary from the first of these funds and received a sixth of all the money given out from the second.

The Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said: ‘This really looks like money laundering - taxpayers’ money is being funnelled into Unite then put straight back into Labour's coffers.’ Opposition parties claim that the funds are a ‘bung’ to groups that support Labour politically and financially. It certainly seems that way.

Unite is the same union that by threatening to strike has already cost British Airways an estimated £25 millions and may cost them a great deal more if the strikes go ahead!
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Will Anyone Notice?

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The Public and Commercial Services Union have announced that 270,000 civil servants are to stage a 48-hour strike on 8 and 9 March in a dispute over cuts the government are making to public sector redundancy terms to which five other civil service unions have already agreed.

A number of other unions have announced plans to take strike action in the next few months, most notably the threat by British Airways cabin crew.

The question is: In contrast to the possible disruption caused by other planned strike actions, will anyone notice the absence of civil servants for two days?
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Airline Woes

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It is reported that one of the best airlines in the world, Japan Airlines, is to file for bankruptcy protection. How very sad that this fine airline has come to this pass but it, and other airlines, have been affected by the state of the world economy and decreasing passenger numbers.

My travelling days are over but I have very fond memories of travelling with JAL. The courtesy of their cabin crew and level of service were beyond anything I experienced with other airlines and, since I love Japanese food, I was perhaps spoiled.

It is to be hoped that the airline’s restructuring will enable it to rebuild and once again stand as one of the world’s best airlines.

Meanwhile, British Airways which is also suffering from increased costs and a downturn in passenger numbers now faces another strike vote by cabin crew unhappy about the airline’s cost-cutting measures.

I know little about the grievances of the cabin crew but, given the state of many airlines at this time, have some sympathy for BA, which lost over £400 millions last year, which said that they would not allow the union to ruin the airline.
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In Memorium

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An old friend for more than twenty years died suddenly yesterday morning in hospital. A week ago he was hail and hearty and looking forward to a number of projects he was involved in and about which he enthusiastically spoke.

A sudden and unexpected death is always sad, the moreso when it occurs just prior to what should be the happiest and most family-orientated time of the year. The shock to family and friends is not to be underestimated and we share in their sadness and sorrow at what has suddenly become a terrible and shocking time.

There is little of any real comfort one can say to someone who has been so unexpectedly bereaved and though, doubtless, the immediate family will gather round and extend their love and assistance, mere words cannot help.

Nonetheless, I pay tribute to my old chum, my knowledgeable and talkative chum, Albert Novelli, who many will know from his days in the merchant service and, more latterly, British Airways as a Cabin Services Director. Others will know of him from his hobby of photographing ships and aircraft.

God bless and keep you Albert, and extend his warmth and comfort to Ruth.
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Queue-Jumping

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Media reports suggest that British Airways are talking to the UK Border Agency about the possibility of charging passengers £50 to ‘fast-track’ their way past long airport immigration inspection queues.

I don’t understand why this has not as yet caused an outcry among the travelling public. Why should we have to pay to get through Immigration checks quicker and, what about the potential for illegal entry and security breaches?

What we need is not more moneymaking schemes imposed on travellers, but more UKBA staff at airports so that immigration queues are not so ridiculously long as they are now.
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