BAA staff strikes in January

Anyone got any detailed info on whats likely to be happening here?
All I know is that there is a 24 hour strike planned for the 14th, and a 48 hour walk out planned for the 17th affecting all BAA airports.

I am flying from Gatwick on 12th to Insbruck with Thomas Cook Airlines, returning 19th. Our operator isnt comitting to anything yet, and to be honest leaviong on 12th should be ok, but I expect there will be lots of problems on 19th with the backlog of the previous 2 days. Assuming it gets that far of course.....

Anyone here work for BAA or know someone who does?

Not heard of anything happening on the 7th? Im conviced there were rumours of that, selfish bar stewards striking over policy that does noit have an effec ton them,

I've checked the BAA website and the union website again today, can't find any mention other than the press release from before christmas (21/12) I assume that there will be more developments after the first 1 day strike on the 7th. Until that happens I don't think anyone can say which way it will go. Tony, I think you will possibly be ok, flights should have resumed normal service by the time you're due to fly out, and as for flying back in, well it's an inconvenience sure but at least you shouldn't lose any skiing over it :!: We're due to fly out on the 19th which is the first day after the planned 48 hour strike so woe betide any idiots on any picketlien if I lose any valuable skiing time :cry:

I fly from Bournemouth on the 19th. Fingers crossed that the strike doesn't spread, or even take place at all.

Bournemouth isn't a BAA operated airport so should be no problems there, although the airlines may decide to re-route through other local airports which could have a knock-on... I can't see it spreading as the dispute is between BAA and Unite over the final salary pension scheme. The really annoying thing is that BAA had announced that from 1st December all new employees would not be eligible for entrance into the final salary pension. Of the 6000 BAA staff around the 7 airports concerned only half are members of unite, of these 3000 only 2/3 voted in favour of strike action. These 2000 are already employed by BAA and will therefore be unaffected by the new rule. one can only assume that they are striking in fear of BAA closing the scheme altogether. IMHO if you go for a job with a company that has a final salary scheme that you can't enter then either you negotiate more favourable terms, take the job or go elsewhere. I certainly wouldn't expect my new colleagues to strike over it :!: Feels more and more like the 70's every day, workers revolting, high fuel prices, hopeless government... :evil:

freezywater wrote:These 2000 are already employed by BAA and will therefore be unaffected by the new rule. one can only assume that they are striking in fear of BAA closing the scheme altogether. IMHO if you go for a job with a company that has a final salary scheme that you can't enter then either you negotiate more favourable terms, take the job or go elsewhere.

As the amended scheme will not allow new employees to contribute, then over time, as existing employees leave for any reason, the number of contributors to the original scheme will have diminished. This will leave the pension "pot" depleted as no "fresh" joiners take up the spaces.
Once the "pot" is small enough to be considered at risk, then the managers and trustees will be able to present a "fait accompli" to the long time members to wind up the scheme in favour of a money purchase pension scheme. Which will save BAA lots of money and make their shareholders really happy. Of course the pension will be a poorer product, but at least the members will salvage something eh :twisted:
So, based on this, I would tend to disagree with your assertion that the existing workers will be unaffected by the new rule, and they can see what is just around the corner for their retirement.
This strategy is nothing unusual.

Ok, I see your point, but, TBH I really couldn't give a rat's arse. My primary concern is the week's skiing holiday that could be delayed / ruined. If BAA want to phase out their final salary pensions scheme then so be it, they are a privatly owned company with as you say shareholders to appease.

I guess what frustrates me most is that as a country we appear to be rolling back towards union rule and an increase in the number of industrial disputes, this at a time when the economy is precariously balanced between a slowdown and a crash can not be good for the wider economy.

Fingers crossed for the inevitable round of talks after the 1st strike talks and a positive outcome.

Thanks to the continuing under performance of a Labour government.......

ANYWAY....anyone got any more info on this action yet? Is it still going ahead? The only ski website that says anything about it is Crystal.