Unite Members: What do think of the compulsory levy to support BA workers?

[elsiegee40]

BBC News - BA strike: Union raising £700,000 to support cabin crew

 

Unite the union - Britain's biggest union

 

They're in your union, but do you feel you should be paying for their strike?

[sippo]

I think the whole BA thing is disgusting. One of the wifes friends put it correctly...

 

'You think you've got low pay and awful working conditions, then think of all those dedicated soldiers in Afghanistan! They're not on strike!'

[Hightower]

I think the whole BA thing is disgusting. One of the wifes friends put it correctly...

 

'You think you've got low pay and awful working conditions, then think of all those dedicated soldiers in Afghanistan! They're not on strike!'

 

The message I saw on facebook was something like "You think you've got low pay, poor working conditions, and a bad uniform without the proper equipment to get your job done. Speak to a soldier and see how he feels"

 

Thing is, I have a number of close mates in the army and they just won't complain. They have a job to do and they get on and do it no matter how bad it gets.

 

One of them fell out of a chopper while trying to evade taliban fire recently, and bust his ankle. He just laughs about it and was more upset about not being able to patrol for a week than the fact he nearly died.

[localzuk]

I suppose it comes down to how you think Union's should operate. Personally, I think Unite is using bullyboy tactics and have unrealistic demands of a company that is financially unstable.

 

Maybe this levy will make some of its members realise it sucks, and make them move to a different union.

[sparkeh]

The army argument is not a sensible one to use.

 

We all know the army is under funded, under equipped and soldiers are under paid. This does not mean that every other sector should look at that and reduce its employees working conditions and say "If you think that's bad look at the soldiers". It just doesn't wash. That way we all get reduced to the lowest common denominator which is not right. If you want to have that argument we should be saying "Look at how much cabin staff get get paid and the working conditions they have for serving a few drinks on a plane, don't our soldiers deserve more and raise their conditions?". That thinking leads to people's working conditions being improved which I am all for.

[broc]

You could equally argue the company is using bullying tactics too, and deliberately provoking the strike by first making an offer & withdrawing it before the union had a chance to put it to its members....

 

As far as its economic stability is concerned, you could also argue that bad management has led to an unprofitable situation that management is trying to resolve now by punishing its workers, conveniently ignoring the fact they are to blame?

 

Bad management + bad union relations = trouble

[Hightower]

The army argument is not a sensible one to use

 

Of course it's a sensible argument to use. Likewise, is the strike the minors had back in the early 80's. They were striking for a real reason. Not because they wanted more pay, better working conditions, or a silly uniform. No, because they wanted to keep their jobs.

 

These whingy BA t**** really do want something to twist about. Muppets.

[sippo]

I'm not saying they should use it as an argument, but just have a think about how 'bad' their conditions are... They are lucky to be in a job, especially as the country is just recovering from a recession.

[bossman]

I don't think this country has seen the worst yet, I fear much more animosity over workplace practice which is at this moment changing to suit the economics of the country and if that means pay cuts for most then that is what will happen along with job losses.

 

I feel people have to commit to doing their very best in times of trouble but what drives me to distraction is the level of unfairness amongst other groups who are not experiencing the downturn in their lifestyles in fact they are receiving more rewards because of it.

 

People do not strike for nothing and yes other people are unlucky enough to have joined a group who are not allowed to strike but that was their choice. It has been the working persons choice to join a union which affords them the option of withdrawing their labour if their working conditions and practices change so dramatically that they fear for their jobs.

 

I do not condone striking as I have seen it first hand down in Grimethorpe during the miners strike and let me tell you it is not a pretty site when actual blood brothers are set against each other and families torn apart through it. On the other hand these things have to take place because of the nature of our society and the land we live in.

 

I have not taken any side on this and feel for both sides in this dispute but i will not compare it to other disputes or other working practices so please lets not drag other groups into this already downward spiraling debacle.