BA Strike

[moonstorm]

Is anyone effect by BA's proposed Christmas strike? My Borther and Sister in law were booked to spend Christmas and New Year with us, as they do every year, but now it looks like they are not going to make it. They were going to re-book through Globespan but thankfully they were waiting till today to book! The other Airlines now are showing stupid prices to get them to Malaga.

This is going to ruin the kids Christmas as they so look forward to seeing them, especially at this time of year.

[Perdita]

Talks between BA management and the union are continuing, with a bit of luck they get things sorted before Christmas. I feel so sorry for all the people whose plans for the festive season might be ruined and most of the people will not get their money back

[Abigail]

If BA staff do walk over christmas, everyone who has bought tickets for those days and flights will get a refund.

What makes me angry is other airlines have put extra flights on and put the price up in an attempt to capitalise on BA's failure. At this time of year, other airlines should be pulling out all the stops, showing that they can price match BA and provide a better service. It's not just about the Christmas flights, price and service matter all year round to customers. These airlines have a chance to poach long standing BA customers yet they've got people over a barrel with price.

I support trade union action when it's needed but not at the busiest time of the year. Thinking about the money BA stand to lose over however many days, considering they're already in financial difficulty, some staff could be out of a job this time next year.

[Perdita]

A travel expert on tv last night said that unless you paid with your credit card and bought a holiday package, you will not get a refund and he reckoned that around 80% of customers would have bought a flight only.

[Trinity]

I generally fly 3 or 4 times a year for holidays or weekends away.

My hubby flies a lot with business, long hall at least once a month, plus shorthaul and also holidays.

We have been avoiding BA for a while now (except for airmile reward flight - he still has about 200,000 airmiles).

For last minute flights, and also for flexible flights BA are extortionate.

They have totally taken their business clients for granted. A lot of businesses are cutting back, and business class flights are the first thing to go. It is when business clients fly economy they see what a rip off BA is - their service is no better than anyone elses - and their history of losing luggage is legendary.

[Abigail]

The situation in numbers. Scroll down to the bottom. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8415370.stm


If people were sensible enough to buy travel insurance they can claim on that. Also (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8411494.stm)


If you have a flight during the planned strike period - or 48 hours either side of it - BA has said you can change it now for another leaving any time in the next 12 months at no extra charge.

People with fully flexible tickets can change them online without charge, but others will need to ring the BA phoneline, or face being charged for changing on the website. One BBC News website reader reported a queue on the telephone line of an hour on Tuesday morning.

But if you do not decide to swap it in advance and your flight ends up being cancelled because of strike action, BA says it will offer you the option to refund your ticket, rebook on to a different flight or reroute your journey on another BA flight.

[Perdita]

Ah rightie, that is better news, at least you are not out of pocket as well as having Christmas ruined.

[moonstorm]

No I don't think they will be out of pocket, which is very good news but it just won't be the same without them.

[Trinity]

Strike has been ruled illegal by the High Court :cheer:

[Bryan]

Strike has been ruled illegal by the High Court :cheer:

great news! i think the whole concept of striking when public servcies are involved is digusting.

to think they even considerd striking over christmas when people need to travel to be with families is disgusting! how do they think it will affect the powers that be? it will only affect the poor public!

if they wanted to get at the powers that be, then say we're going to strike for two of the biggest weeks of the summer holidays, that would affect the powers that be more than anyone else. The public would know in advance not to book then, and then it's the powers that be that have the problem.

im glad it was ruled illegal. i hate those that strike, if you dont like it, then move over and give someone else the job, someone who would be thankful to be working.

im not sure how many of these strikes ever result in changes being made? why cant the unions and the powers that be just sit down and reach deals without having to have strikes, that affect the public!

[Trinity]

BA will stil lose out. Many people will be worried to book with them incase another strike is called.

this has been a PR disaster for the company and for the cabin crew

[Abigail]

I wouldn't book with BA simply because there are cheaper competitors out there that offer the same service. Their airfares are extortionate.

[Siobhan]

strike is off: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Court-Rules-On-Legal-Bid-By-British-Airways-To-Stop-12-Days-Of-Christmas-Strikes-By-Cabin-Crew/Article/200912315502265?lpos=Business_Top_Stories_Header_0&lid=ARTICLE_15502265_Court_Rules_On_Legal_Bid_By_B ritish_Airways_To_Stop_12_Days_Of_Christmas_Strike s_By_Cabin_Crew

[alan45]

I am absolutely delighted to see this strike being declared illegal. Its about time Unite realised that the days of Union Militancy are gone forever. BA is not in the healthiest position financially. It simply cannot affor to go on losing money at the rate it has been. The Cabin Crew are very well paid for what they do and to organise a strike at the busiest time of the year is sheer hypocrist by a Union which claims it is trying to save jobs. The strik had it occured would have cost BA Millions in lost revenue not to mention the goodwill that it would have lost with its customers. It would have totally damaged the airline and doubtless led to mass redundncies as BA struggle to keep in business. I really had to laugh at that asshole of a Union Leader who claimed the courts ruling was a bad day for democracy. What absolute twaddle. It was a good day for democracy and common sense. The strike ballot was rightly ruled ILLEGAL:angry:

[moonstorm]

It's off - thank goodness!! We will be able to have the family here for Christmas :cheer: :thumbsup: