Bay Capital Share Discussion Threads

[dr darkstar] 16/5/2010 11:17

Airspace closures ahead

[alphorn] 15/5/2010 21:19

UK airspace could face more closures from tomorrow because of fresh volcanic activity in Iceland, it was announced today. The Department of Transport has warned airspace could be closed from Sunday until Tuesday.

[badboy 911] 15/5/2010 17:13

ALL bA worker who did strike had their perks taken, and rightly so. Amazing, all their family gets free tickets every year. say 4 people get 4 freebies ticket, and they are not happy.




UNITE are the biggest halfwits around. LOLLOL

Hope the tories destroy those UNITE zanu Liebour supporters

[teeya] 15/5/2010 16:54

exbacrew you are on your own! you and your ex colleagues have lost the plot....
BA is a fine British Brand and run by the best man (Willie Walsh) businessman who has tried everything to settle the dispute. Unions are a thing of the past and they are bent on destroying a fantastic airline which the british and the rest of the world were proud off. If unions had any brain or care for the employees they would have settled this dispute long time ago - don't look at the economy with tinted glasses. I say Willie don't give in to the Cabin Crew or the unions there are many young people who would do the same job for less. I only wish the public would take this on and stand up to the unions so the flag can continue to fly!! keep up the good work WW

[grahamburn] 15/5/2010 16:50

Being squeezed between Walsh's tactics over the past few months (and now further legal action) and government intervention as well as adverse public opinion.

[bartram] 15/5/2010 16:27

My word that's generous of the strikers - they'll cancel the first strike if the volcanic ash shuts UK airspace.

[wow400] 15/5/2010 14:34

I'd laugh if the previous strike action was found to be illegal & BA sack all the militant cabin crew who went on strike the last time!

[molecule] 15/5/2010 11:19

Was hoping for 1 pound but I guess I have been too optimistic. 15p is much more realistic.

[badboy 911] 15/5/2010 10:37

I will close at 15p, before the administrators are called in. The £1.5BN piggy bank won't last forever.

Dole queue will add another 15000 by the end of year

[bartram] 14/5/2010 20:34

BA planning legal action to stop the strike:

[selborne_edge] 14/5/2010 11:41

A very good statement. It is about time other employees of BA became interested in future employment prospects.

[dancing piranha] 14/5/2010 11:38

Anon seems to have gone alittle quiet lately?

[tony727] 14/5/2010 09:49

'BALPA's British Airways Company Council is gravely concerned about the consequences of BASSA's decision to announce a damaging series of four five-day strikes commencing Tuesday 18th May 2010.

'BA faces circumstances that pose a very serious threat to its future - the economic downturn associated with the credit crunch, sustained high fuel prices, an increase in competition in key markets, and volcanic ash causing airspace closures, to name but a few.

'BA pilots and other staff groups, that include members of Unite, have made significant concessions to help BA through such difficulties and it is for all groups within BA to deliver the contribution required in the Company Business Plan.

'Recent industrial action by cabin crew has further damaged BA's finances and the unprecedented strikes just announced for May and June will seriously threaten BA's ability to maintain the job security and terms and conditions of employees in all parts of the Company, including cabin crew.

'The action also undermines the interests of all employees who are members of BA's final salary pension schemes, both of which are in deficit, and reaching a critical point in their triennial valuations.

'The BA Company Council, therefore, urges BASSA and BA to immediately enter meaningful negotiations to resolve their remaining differences and commence the process of rebuilding industrial relations upon which the Company's and employees' future prosperity are dependent.

A Real risk of going bust !!!!!!!! part of a statement sent to Government Officials from Pilots Union not the pension quote.......

[selborne_edge] 13/5/2010 21:26

I was a shareholder of British Leyland when it collapsed. I should have sold my shares when the shares started to fall but I just did want to contribute to the loss of the 'last major' British car company. The case of BA is in many ways similar. A major section of its employees are determined to bring the company to its knees. So very sad !

[5haz] 13/5/2010 17:18

best to invest in companies where the fundamentals are improving - no improvement will happen here. See it being bailed out ultimately when it's hit pennies. Too many unknowns make this a very risky investment:
- pension deficit high and bound to get worse in a falling market
- potential for bigger volcano Katla to blow
- more strikes
- poor perception by customers and employees

Keeping my eye on this for £1 by Summer - will be back here end of Sept to check

[bartram] 13/5/2010 17:00

If BA don't reinstate the 'lost' travel perks then I would imagine the financial pain for some of the striking cabin crew (especially those based abroad) will be pretty severe.

[wow400] 13/5/2010 16:15

I think BA will be celebrating when they 'retire' all the strikers!

[selborne_edge] 13/5/2010 16:12

The end can not be far off. The cabin crew and UNITE should achive their objectives and will soon be able to celebrate. Lets hope the cabin crews have difficulty finding further employment

[5haz] 13/5/2010 16:03

this company is bankrupt (i.e. liabs hugely above assets) - should fall below £1 in Summer sell off

[dr darkstar] 13/5/2010 12:22

Branson has just declared that Virgin lost $100M over the ash issue. So what have BAY lost? More, and they will be grounded for 4 further weeks, but the good news is the cost of the strike ( not the volcano disruption) might be recouped in about 3 years. Sounds like a BUY then!

[wow400] 13/5/2010 08:45

Have just been emailed this (assuming it's pretty current):

Willie sets the record straight on strike issues

Chief executive Willie Walsh has written to colleagues to set the record straight on strike-related rumours and misinformation in media reports this week.

He said the 20 days of strike action, announced on Monday, will have shocked customers as well as colleagues. "Sadly, it comes as no surprise to those of us who have spent the past 15 months negotiating with Unite in a genuine attempt to reach an agreement.

"It seems to me that time and again, Unite has shown itself to be a cynical and calculating trade union, willing to stretch the boundaries of truthfulness and integrity. I would like to set the record straight."

Significant compromises
"In a statement on Monday, Unite claimed that we had "rejected an approach by the union over the weekend". That is not true. I was available all weekend and there were no contacts made.

"Unite has repeatedly moved the goalposts and is not interested in settling the dispute. The union knows our latest offer addresses all the concerns it has raised during 15 months of negotiations and that we have compromised many times in an effort to get a resolution.

"Tony Woodley himself has said that our final offer "on many points represents an improvement"."

Willie explained that during talks, BA had:

* Offered the partial reversal of crew complements, despite a High Court ruling in BA's favour
* Agreed to future promotions and transfers on current contracts for current crew
* Given a written assurance about the allocation of routes and aircraft between fleets
* Given assurances to protect the pay, terms and conditions for current crew
* Changed its position on pay to guarantee RPI rises for two years, on top of increments
* Agreed to the return of staff travel to crew who went on strike, subject to certain conditions

"I know many of you who came to work were disappointed that we moved from a permanent staff travel ban for those who took action. But a permanent ban will happen if the union engages in further strike action.

"I do not believe the union is genuine when it says it wants meaningful talks to enable these strikes to be called off, especially in view of its plans for a fresh ballot to enable more strikes later in the year.

"This is a fair deal and it remains available. There are no more compromises that we can make and we cannot lose sight of the fact these changes are to ensure our future sustainability."

Disciplinary proceedings
"Contrary to media reports, no-one has been suspended for taking part in strike action," he explained.

"Most of the suspensions have taken place following allegations from colleagues of bullying and intimidation. We are duty bound to investigate these, and the investigations are conducted under the company's disciplinary procedures, which have been in place for many years and are agreed with all of the trade unions, including Unite.

"To date, we have concluded 30 disciplinary cases. Of those, five individuals have had no action taken against them and gone back to work; 15 have had written warnings, seven have been dismissed for serious cases of misconduct, and three have been referred back to their manager.

"It is ludicrous for Unite to describe our disciplinary investigations as "victimisation"."

Fantasy ballot
"Unite has said that cabin crew have overwhelmingly rejected our latest proposal. I do not believe this is the case.

"More than 70 per cent of crew came to work during the previous strikes.

"The union's latest online ballot was operated outside the statutory rules and the votes were not confidential. Cabin crew had to submit their name, staff number and union membership details when casting their vote. These were intimidatory tactics that I think were intended to deter crew from voting in favour of the deal.

"You may question whether these are the actions of a democratic trade union keen to genuinely engage with its members and represent their best interests, or those of a small minority of people hell bent on destroying your company and your jobs. Please don't let them.

"This action will not be 20 days of strikes, and the union knows this. The 'breather' days in between the four blocks of strikes serve no purpose for our operation or our customers. This is a 23 day strike in the run up to the World Cup, which will disrupt another school break and many other business trips and hard earned holidays. And just when the UK economy needs help to get back on its feet, Unite will deal it another blow."

He urged colleagues to help keep the airline flying by volunteering for one of the support roles available. "Please play your part in protecting our future," he said.

[ben nevis] 13/5/2010 08:43

Must be a reason for this silly surge ?

[selborne_edge] 13/5/2010 08:39

Whatever the rights or wrongs of this dispute, it would be rediculous to continue employing members of staff who decide to take 20 days unpaid leave whenever the spirit moved them. At one time employees had a sense of loyalty to their company and in this case an obligation to the travelling public. Clearly the current set of cabin crews have no loyalty to anyone but themselves.