air STRIKE
Socialist Party bulletin for BA workers and trade union activists
BA’S UNION-BUSTING
PLANS EXPOSED
STEP UP THE FIGHT TO STOP WILLIE WALSH
O
n day four of the Cabin Crew
strike, BA workers decisively
answered Willie Walsh’s
declaration of war on terms, conditions
and trade union rights with another
solid showing on the picket lines.
Walsh’s removal of travel discounts
for strikers – not a perk, but a vital
contractual right for many BA staff –
has not cowed strikers. Neither has
his refusal to roster a layer of crew
over the last few days who took strike
action; in effect, a lock-out of these
workers as Walsh attempts to bully
and intimidate in the face of much
more solid action than he expected.
But cabin crew refuse to take this lying
down and again the planes have been
piling up on the tarmac, serving as a
stark visual counter to managements
lies about the impact of the strike.
The picket lines are, if anything, louder
and even more confident than last
weekend as cabin crew dig their heels
in. Support from the public as well as
workers with BA and other carriers
have continued to buoy strikers. Cars
loudly honking, thumbs up and raised
fists, as well as the occasional donut
drop, show the support that exists,
which may need to be mobilised more
practically over the next few weeks.
A document leaked from BA today,
carried in the Guardian, confirmed
what cabin crew have been explaining
all along – this dispute was provoked
by Willie Walsh and is fundamentally
about breaking BASSA in preparation
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for an attack on trade union rights What more proof is needed? Like
across the company. The document, other strongly unionised sections of
entitled “A review of where BA are workers before them, the employer
in the relationship with BASSA” was wants to viciously take on BASSA in an
commissioned three years ago, at a attempt to break them before rolling
time when BA were boasting of record out similar attacks to BA workers
profits. Just as the Tories did with the organised in other unions.
Ridley Plan in the late 70s when they
drew up plans to smash the NUM, the Walsh doesn’t care about the long-
miners union, BA management have term future of the company; he’s
had a plan to take on the union for been brought in as a hatchet man
years now and the economic crisis and will be off in June to wield the axe
has been used as a convenient cover somewhere else. But BA’s workforce
to roll these plans out! is dedicated and hard working, many
with 25 years experience or more.
Walsh’s Plans to Behead Union The trade union movement can’t let
Leadership those hard-won terms and conditions
be lost at the hands of an anti-union
This document will make for blood- Neanderthal like Walsh.
boiling reading to all cabin crew – it
states “The management team should Given the seriousness of the attacks on
agree and express a determination the very principle of union organisation
to force the issue with BASSA. Some at the company, workers across
consideration should be given to Heathrow and beyond understand that
hitting the leadership of BASSA where what’s happening to cabin crew will
it hurts. Ground rules for paid time off effect them in the medium and long
for trade union duties is an area which term and therefore will be discussing
needs to be very closely examined”. how they can assist them.
continued over...
 air STRIKE
N ow that management is clearly on
a union busting drive all workers at
BA no matter what their pay scale have
Action so far has shown cabin crews
determination to continue the struggle
for as long as it takes. Over the coming
a common interest in ensuring cabin week, the challenge for BASSA and
crew are not defeated, otherwise no Amicus cabin crew could be to use
union contract at the company will be this determination as a lever to other
safe. Willie Walsh has declared total workers at BA – if this is achieved,
war on cabin crew, now is the time for even a short, sharp round of strike
trade unionists at BA to answer him in action involving wider layers of the
kind. BA workforce could lead to a famous
victory and the successful defence
The strike leadership could begin this of trade union-negotiated terms and
by organising now a meeting of reps conditions.
from all unions across BA to discuss
how best to defend trade union rights •Mobilise all BA workers to
from the onslaught of management. A •defend trade union rights
clear statement from such a meeting •For a mass meeting of all BA
calling for the company to cease its •trade union reps to discuss
drive to break the union and get back to •extending the action
the negotiating table or face a 24 hour •Unite to step up media
warning strike would send a powerful •campaign in support of strike
message to BA management. The last •For a 24 hour warning strike
thing Willie Walsh wants to see is this •across the company against
dispute spreading to other parts of the •union busting
company.
Cabin Crew speak out
The prospect of a full blown industrial "The mood is still pretty positive, everyone is encouraged by how well it went last
dispute would mean political and week. I think a lot of the fear has now turned into more determination. I think the
business pressure would be brought bullying and intimidation we have been experiencing before the first set of strike
to bear on BA management to did have some effect but the success of last weekend for the union was so great
end the dispute quickly. It is co- that I expect to see more people here this weekend supporting the crew.”
ordinated industrial action that will
have the most powerful effect on BA "I’ve just come down to show support. My partner is cabin crew for British
management rather than appeals to Airways. I believe in what they are doing. I just think they need all the support
“reasonable” members of the board they can get. What they are doing is correct. It’s not our doing, it’s big business
or the investment community. that has caused this let the big businesses pay rather than the individual."
For full interviews see airstrikes.wordpress.com
In an example of the determination of strikers to stand united one
picketer we spoke to had left Liverpool at 2:00 AM and driven down
to London to be on picket duty at 7:00 AM. He made light of his
late night trek, explaining that when the union is in a battle it's up
to every member to do their bit. His plan was to stay the night in
London and return to the pickets tomorrow. If further strike days
were called, he was making plans to travel to Manchester and
Glasgow to support pickets there. Waving a Unite flag, this life long
Everton supporter said it was the only time he'd be seen in public
waving a red flag!

What is airSTRIKE?
airSTRIKE is a blog which was set up by
Socialist Party members who are trade
union activists in UNITE and other unions
which organise at British Airways. Please
visit the blog and join in the discussion
at airstrikes.wordpress.com. There
will be updates and reports added to
the blog direct from the picket lines this
weekend, so make sure you check it out.
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