Says it all, dunnit?
I love the bit: "up to" the costs of hotec per day.
To pay, to serve.
Dear Unite Member,
No matter how long you have been at British Airways, the next 12 days will undoubtedly be the most difficult of your career.
From the 7th August onwards, British Airways plan to dismiss every single one of us.
Up to 37,000 friends and colleagues will be dismissed, many permanently, the remainder forced out of their job and only allowed to return to work if they sign away their legal rights and accept a new role but with reduced terms, conditions, agreements, employment policies, pensions and a huge cut in pay.
Matters could not be any more serious.
The lies that BA have used to justify this have been exposed in public, the press and in Parliament but none of this has altered their intention or even troubled their conscience one iota.
The plan hatched back in April is exactly the same as it is now. Whether they ‘consulted’ for 1 day or 100 days, it is unlikely that would have ever changed. Let’s face it, if they really wanted “to save as many jobs as possible” then they could have done so, but they have chosen not to. The notion of issuing thousands of redundancies but then somehow trying to blame Unite for doing so, is nonsense.
This was the plan from the beginning, it’s always been the plan and as always where BA are concerned it hasn’t changed. There are now just four working days left until they begin to enact it, please read the urgent letter below from Unite General secretary Len McCluskey to Alex Cruz. The message is clear:
“British Airways have now published a timetable to Fire and Rehire thousands of your workforce on 7th August, we will work every hour between now and then, to convince you not to do so.
You can take this letter as our commitment to do that.
However, you can also take this as an intention to defend our members by moving towards industrial action with immediate effect.”
<<<Click to View>>>
I thought I read yesterday that BA had agreed to send 270 pilots up the road and that talks were ongoing with the rest of the staff.Its sh*t what ever happens.Woody wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:36 amLatest on BA
Dear Unite Member,
No matter how long you have been at British Airways, the next 12 days will undoubtedly be the most difficult of your career.
From the 7th August onwards, British Airways plan to dismiss every single one of us.
Up to 37,000 friends and colleagues will be dismissed, many permanently, the remainder forced out of their job and only allowed to return to work if they sign away their legal rights and accept a new role but with reduced terms, conditions, agreements, employment policies, pensions and a huge cut in pay.
Matters could not be any more serious.
The lies that BA have used to justify this have been exposed in public, the press and in Parliament but none of this has altered their intention or even troubled their conscience one iota.
The plan hatched back in April is exactly the same as it is now. Whether they ‘consulted’ for 1 day or 100 days, it is unlikely that would have ever changed. Let’s face it, if they really wanted “to save as many jobs as possible” then they could have done so, but they have chosen not to. The notion of issuing thousands of redundancies but then somehow trying to blame Unite for doing so, is nonsense.
This was the plan from the beginning, it’s always been the plan and as always where BA are concerned it hasn’t changed. There are now just four working days left until they begin to enact it, please read the urgent letter below from Unite General secretary Len McCluskey to Alex Cruz. The message is clear:
“British Airways have now published a timetable to Fire and Rehire thousands of your workforce on 7th August, we will work every hour between now and then, to convince you not to do so.
You can take this letter as our commitment to do that.
However, you can also take this as an intention to defend our members by moving towards industrial action with immediate effect.”
<<<Click to View>>>
He’s so trustworthy, there was a rumour on various Pilot forums that BA had pulled out of the deal with BALPA, which didn’t seem to surprise anyoneTheGreenGoblin wrote: ↑Sat Aug 01, 2020 8:23 amPerhaps Mr Walsh will be prepared to take a cut in his final payment including his pension in the light of the dire position he leaves the company in?
One thing that has been learnt by companies, is simply how much business travel isn't needed! The Internet has taken that business.
From me ...
British Airways is trying to dismiss their entire workforce either permanently or “fire and rehire” the remainder. Such a brutal act is unprecedented in British industry. Life is obviously uncertain, difficult and stressful for every single one of us involved, how can it not be in these circumstances…
Here are the answers to some of the questions we all have and an honest appraisal of what lies ahead.
Q. What on earth are BA doing?
Ans. Quite simply, across BA they plan to allocate every staff member a number of points based on the criteria that they alone have set. They will then draw a line on that list in each department (according to the redundancy notices issued). Those above it are retained, those below will be dismissed (made redundant).
It is that brutal. A twisted X factor parody which you may feel indicates that they simply do not care about the impact that decision will have on people. The stark reality is that they do care to some degree, but care far more about the financial bottom line.
That criteria cannot and will not be changed by strength of argument; it can only now be challenged in court.
Q. Is the union agreeing to BA making people redundant?
Ans. 100% NO.
We do not want, agree or accept the legitimacy of making even one person compulsory redundant. BA have decided this course of action, but our objection alone does not mean they will not do so and the legitimacy of that action, again now moves to the courts via claims for unfair dismissal.
Q. But I have a job, why do I need to apply for another one, when I don’t even know what it will look like?
Ans. 100% Correct.
This has been the subject of the raging argument, in the press and parliament and that is why Unite has thrown every resource the union has to support BA staff through the BA betrayal campaign; because BA plans to “fire and rehire” its entire workforce. We all know the rights and wrongs of that. No matter how appalling that decision is, BA plan to do so regardless of the impact upon their own staff, public opinion, parliamentary concern and even the damage to their own brand, on Friday.
Q. What happens on next ?
If you are selected by BA for redundancy, regrettably they will inform you on that day. Again, we hope to finalise measures next week that will reduce that number considerably, but in line with the pilots, it may be that be that every single job is not saved immediately.
If you are retained, which most people should be, BA intend to issue notice of contractual change, which for us is three months. Within that period, discussions will continue to try and agree what those changes look like.
Q. Is all hope lost?
Ans. No. Far from it.
Although we have not been able to alter the selection process for redundancy, we have been able to convince BA to consider a range of options that will save a significant number of jobs, if enacted, this means that the line drawn on the list moves by BA and considerably less people will be made redundant. This will become much clearer next week as negotiations continue and numbers become finalised.
Q. Last but not least, Should I stay or go?
Ans. Here’s the situation, as they say, “warts and all”.
If you are 100% certain that you wish to leave , then that is probably the right decision for you. If you are not certain, then do not do so but there is of course greater uncertainty in staying, as we do not as yet know what that will mean.
Despite all the pressure BA have been placed under, they have dogmatically pursued their own agenda (as they always do, think 2010)
For many people the uncertainty and demeaning way they have been treated by an employer they have dedicated most of their working lives to, is too much for them to bear, and they no longer wish to be associated with an airline they were once so proud to work for.
However, as in 2010 and even at our darkest hour, we were able to secure protections and we will work hard to do so again. We will be able reduce the number of redundancies; we will work on improved protections for our members going forward and we will be able to shape what the future looks like and yes, that may involve industrial action. But none of that will be certain before Monday and it may take some weeks before that come clearer. Will things be exactly the same as today? Probably not, but our aim remains to shape something that you will find acceptable.
There’s a fight still to come, for our dignity, for our respect, for anyone that is made redundant against their will and as we always have said, for our future and yes although it may not seem like it, you still have one!
Whether that’s through negotiation, industrial action, or tens of thousands legal claims and years of litigation is not yet clear. What IS clear is that fight is far from over, but if you want to be a part of that future, stay with your union and help shape it together, it won’t be easy but if we keep clam, keep together and keep going, we will get there
Please do not forget that you will be balloted on any proposed changes and the starting point, as confirmed by CEO Alex Cruz remains current terms and conditions. If those are altered without agreement being reached and we remain cautiously optimistic that an agreement can be reached, Industrial and legal action will follow .
Hoping for the best,Woody.Woody wrote: ↑Sat Aug 01, 2020 7:44 pmSo after 4 months BA still haven’t been able to make a decision
From me ...
British Airways is trying to dismiss their entire workforce either permanently or “fire and rehire” the remainder. Such a brutal act is unprecedented in British industry. Life is obviously uncertain, difficult and stressful for every single one of us involved, how can it not be in these circumstances…
Here are the answers to some of the questions we all have and an honest appraisal of what lies ahead.
Q. What on earth are BA doing?
Ans. Quite simply, across BA they plan to allocate every staff member a number of points based on the criteria that they alone have set. They will then draw a line on that list in each department (according to the redundancy notices issued). Those above it are retained, those below will be dismissed (made redundant).
It is that brutal. A twisted X factor parody which you may feel indicates that they simply do not care about the impact that decision will have on people. The stark reality is that they do care to some degree, but care far more about the financial bottom line.
That criteria cannot and will not be changed by strength of argument; it can only now be challenged in court.
Q. Is the union agreeing to BA making people redundant?
Ans. 100% NO.
We do not want, agree or accept the legitimacy of making even one person compulsory redundant. BA have decided this course of action, but our objection alone does not mean they will not do so and the legitimacy of that action, again now moves to the courts via claims for unfair dismissal.
Q. But I have a job, why do I need to apply for another one, when I don’t even know what it will look like?
Ans. 100% Correct.
This has been the subject of the raging argument, in the press and parliament and that is why Unite has thrown every resource the union has to support BA staff through the BA betrayal campaign; because BA plans to “fire and rehire” its entire workforce. We all know the rights and wrongs of that. No matter how appalling that decision is, BA plan to do so regardless of the impact upon their own staff, public opinion, parliamentary concern and even the damage to their own brand, on Friday.
Q. What happens on next ?
If you are selected by BA for redundancy, regrettably they will inform you on that day. Again, we hope to finalise measures next week that will reduce that number considerably, but in line with the pilots, it may be that be that every single job is not saved immediately.
If you are retained, which most people should be, BA intend to issue notice of contractual change, which for us is three months. Within that period, discussions will continue to try and agree what those changes look like.
Q. Is all hope lost?
Ans. No. Far from it.
Although we have not been able to alter the selection process for redundancy, we have been able to convince BA to consider a range of options that will save a significant number of jobs, if enacted, this means that the line drawn on the list moves by BA and considerably less people will be made redundant. This will become much clearer next week as negotiations continue and numbers become finalised.
Q. Last but not least, Should I stay or go?
Ans. Here’s the situation, as they say, “warts and all”.
If you are 100% certain that you wish to leave , then that is probably the right decision for you. If you are not certain, then do not do so but there is of course greater uncertainty in staying, as we do not as yet know what that will mean.
Despite all the pressure BA have been placed under, they have dogmatically pursued their own agenda (as they always do, think 2010)
For many people the uncertainty and demeaning way they have been treated by an employer they have dedicated most of their working lives to, is too much for them to bear, and they no longer wish to be associated with an airline they were once so proud to work for.
However, as in 2010 and even at our darkest hour, we were able to secure protections and we will work hard to do so again. We will be able reduce the number of redundancies; we will work on improved protections for our members going forward and we will be able to shape what the future looks like and yes, that may involve industrial action. But none of that will be certain before Monday and it may take some weeks before that come clearer. Will things be exactly the same as today? Probably not, but our aim remains to shape something that you will find acceptable.
There’s a fight still to come, for our dignity, for our respect, for anyone that is made redundant against their will and as we always have said, for our future and yes although it may not seem like it, you still have one!
Whether that’s through negotiation, industrial action, or tens of thousands legal claims and years of litigation is not yet clear. What IS clear is that fight is far from over, but if you want to be a part of that future, stay with your union and help shape it together, it won’t be easy but if we keep clam, keep together and keep going, we will get there
Please do not forget that you will be balloted on any proposed changes and the starting point, as confirmed by CEO Alex Cruz remains current terms and conditions. If those are altered without agreement being reached and we remain cautiously optimistic that an agreement can be reached, Industrial and legal action will follow .
Perhaps if BA had approached this whole afair in a more professional manner we would be further towards a solution now instead of banging heads. Remember, the opening salvo to this was BA announcing 12000 plus compulsory redundancies and further redundancies for everyone else with an offer of a new contract on vastly inferior pay and T & Cs.
If, just if they had got around the table first, talked about the problem and discussed solutions in an open and honest exchange as has happened during previous crisis we could have avoided all this animosity and come out of this with a bit of pride and a spirited attitude to the future. But no, what we have is a bitter, dissalusioned workforce who will either walk away next week despising their previous employer or you will have the chosen ones, equally bitter and angry but forced into accepting their lot as their is no alternative.
Remember it wasn't so long ago that BA was sending everyone pin badges and invites to '100 year' celebrations because "our people are our biggest asset". What a crock!
This could have been handled so much better. Only one person is to blame.