It looks like we're just about to enter a second phase of strikes. From chatting to colleagues in the travel industry I get the impression there is scant sympathy for the cabin crew - particularly when most travel companies have had to reduce costs somewhere.
In a column for Travolution, PR Week editor Danny Rogers writes:
"It is the underlying recession that has counter-intuitively given BA a boost. Apart from having little to lose any more, the airline’s management have realised that Unite would always struggle to win a PR battle around the strike, while hundreds of thousands of other workers are losing their jobs or facing pay freezes."
Does anyone think the crew have a point?
I know lots of BA cabin crew who are adamant that they are in the right to strike with no payrises etc. Unfortunatley I have no sympathy with them. Many companies have had to freeze pay to get through the credit crunch and BA crew are still one of the best paid in the airline industry. The airline has just announced a £600 million loss. If I was them I would be grateful I had a job still. If things carry on I can't imagine BA will be around for much longer. Causing 20 days off strikes over 23 days is just causing many people problems, let alone passengers who lose their hard earned holidays. Trade will eventually stop supporting BA and move to other carriers. I know my company isn't using BA until the issues have been rectified.
Regretfully no sympathy at all. These strikes and threats of strikes are causing untold misery to thousands of clients, who work hard and save hard for there family holidays and honeymoons. I have seen first hand the stress that this is causing, and it simply is not fare.
Every single one of us has seen our jobs and conditions change, its called a recession. ! Ping - wake up BA Crew. - When you are clearly already paid above the what the competitors pay there crew, why not work hard, co-operate bring your airline back into profit and then ask for your conditions to be restored.
Many of my clients just wont take the risk and book BA. For example forward bookings for Christmas for us , are non existant , other airlines are benefiting greatly. !! Keep on striking BA crew, because you are going to strike yourself right down to the job centre. !!! ,,,,, £44 a week isn't it. !
My heart sank with the news that UNITE's strikes are to go ahead. Hasn't the travel industry suffered enough recently? Are UNITE members aware of the huge effort demanded of their industry colleagues over the last few weeks to assist passengers stranded around the world? Working long hours, for no extra revenue, whilst incurring extra expense, in some cases being forced to cancel bookings and forgo the revenue they worked so hard for in the first palce? All this to show just how the industry pulls together in a crisis, and what a valuable service we are!
Fortunately I've not had client affected by the problems in Thailand, but my heart goes out to industry colleagues who have had this additional burden.
I think the industry has done itself proud throughout one of the most difficult times in its history. I am totally bewildered as to how anyone who is part of our industry can take a decision to cause further disruption when we are still dealing with problems outide of our control.
Isn't it time UNITE united with industry colleagues?
No sympathy really - the industry has seen many changes over the years and lots of companies have had to make changes/restructure, etc., BA is no different.
No Sympathy what so ever. I cant believe Unite could even consider striking after all the issues the aviation industry have been having with the volcanic ash. BA Cabin crew need to wake up and realise the impact of their stupidity on 1000's of people who want to enjoy a hard earned holiday.
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