Originally Posted by
Hotstart54
Gents,
We are going through a rocky time at the moment. Our airline (BA) is attempting to start Open Skies, a new start carrier aimed at European basing and point to point services between the US and the EU.
We (BALPA and the BA pilots) are insisting that the new carrier have a common seniority list so that terms and conditions cannot be pressurized and eroded by conflict between the two entities. BA insist that this will not happen. We have balloted for industrial action and await the result on the 20th of this month (Feb).
Any perspectives you guys have on this would be very interesting, the examples that we have quoted have been American Eagle (AA) and Jetstar (Qantas). Your
APA President Captain Lloyd Hill, American Airlines has very kindly
recorded this clip for us warning of the dangers of a parasitic carrier. What happens on your side of the Atlantic (US), eventually happens on ours (EU).
I have
lodged a post on my blog to further outline the position as impartially as I can. The comments may be interesting.
BALPA 'BA Plane - BA Pilot" campaign website.
As an aside - The hit count on my blog doesn't matter to me - the message does.
The key, my friend, may lie in how strong labor laws are in your part of the world. For us here in the US, pilot unions are governed by the Railway Labor Act of 1932. Long story made short: striking is very difficult if not impossible. Therefore we American's have very little leverage at the bargaining table.
In 1997 APA struck American Airlines over 2 issues: improved pay, and scope; all jets,( RJ's or otherwise) were to be flown by AA pilots. President Clinton stop the strike almost immediately and petitioned for a PEB (presidential emergency board). The PEB is a group of "experts" that mulls the issues still left on the table when the strike began and then makes a recommendation. Their recommendation was to rule against APA on all issues. At that point we could have continued to strike, or take the deal. If we continued striking, the US Congress could have intervened, stop the strike and imposed their own contract on us. As it turned out, AMR sweeten the pot a bit more and the APA membership ratified the deal, and Eagle was "born again".
So you see, we have very little power to effect changes in our industry here in the U.S. On the other hand, if BA pilots are allowed to strike over this issue, then by all means it is imperative that they do so.
On another note, rumor has it that when (and if) foreign ownership in U.S. carriers becomes a reality AA and BA will merge. It would be interesting to exchange views with you on this either in this forum, through PM or e-mial.
Best Regards