Johnny Bognor

Yep, I would say the British centre is probably two squares to the left and two down - somewhere between Clapham Saint and Sotonjoe, but even with that adjustment, there are still many of a left leaning persuasion who are not sympathetic to the strike. If that is representative of all lefties, then Unite and BA crew will not get much sympathy.

It is all about relativity. Just about sums it up.

I wasn't trying to be funny or clever, it is just that we ran a survey in the lounge to establish political leanings (see below). Note that quite a few in the green section are not supporting the strike and this is core/traditional union territory. (Note how myself, Patrick Batemen and Hatch appear to be the most balanced). As we don't know where Lowe-Loving Internet Trolls fit into the equation, would you like to do the survey? :smt008 (Sorry, couldn't resist. PM me and I'll be more than happy to oblige)

****in get in. Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

The latest update from Willie http://www.britishairways.com/travel/statement/public/en_gb Tactics from Unite that seem very familiar.... a case of deja vu.

To get this back on topic, Tampax are getting into the festive spirit by launching tampons complete with tinsel. However, these will only be available for the Christmas period.

Although it may seem to be one sided on here, there have been a number of notable contributors who reside in the bottom-left segment of the political compass who have also been critical of the strike. If your traditional lefty does not seem to be in favour, then Unite are really skating on thin ice.

Thatcher has gone, whilst the unions (within BA and RM) are still here. Company culture does evolve over time, however it is no coincidence that former nationalised companies are heavily unionised....... BA and the Royal Mail are both private yet have had many years of industrial dispute. Look at their competitors and you'll see that they have had little or no industrial action at all. Do BA employees get a worse deal than their counterparts? No way and they KNOW it.

There are over 4300 Virgin cabin crew members that are signed up to Unite, which is pretty much all of them. My mrs is a member (and trust me, I seeth at the sight of her union dues and normally have to go and sit down in a padded cell to calm down :mad::mad::mad:). I read the communications from Unite in relation to Virgin during the summer and Unite were just trying to stir up a fight - pure and simple. :smt074 I think the cabin crew decision not to not strike at Virgin is down to the mindset and the culture within the company. RB is the champion of free enterprise and the culture at Virgin is one in which the employees believe in the brand values. BA being a former nationalised company has strong Union roots (as does any similar company like the RM for example) and the mindset of the people is therefore very "public sector", if you catch my drift. :smt008

VFTT, I genuinely don't think they are aware. After the postal strikes, Crow was crowing about how the Union should be at the centre of the business. They need to learn that in the private sector, the customer should be at the centre of the business. This is a basic fundamental business principle. With regards to the BA strike it makes my blood boil when the Union go on about striking over Christmas is done with a heavy heart. ********, they couldn't give a monkeys about the customers and clearly nor do the staff. Therefore it is time for the customer to wield their power and show that they will not be dictated to by the out-of-date politically driven unions.

My mrs has been senior cabin crew with Virgin for over 15 years, so I do have an insight into things. The fact of the matter is that Virgin crew were commercially aware enough to recognise that striking would be commercial suicide and hence they voted overwhelmingly against strike action despite Unite's attempt to get everyone out. BA crew have the best pay and working conditions of any British Airline, something which was inherited from its nationalised predecessor. I don't know if you have noticed, but the world has changed quite a bit since 2007 as we are now in the worst recession in history. What was acceptable in 2007 is probably totally irrelevant right now. As stated before, the reasons for better pay and conditions were inherited from the nationalised predecessor. A Cabin Services Director earns £50k+ on BA, whilst my Mrs who works in the equivalent rank at Virgin earns nearly half of this, with allowances that are less than half BA. If you are on an old BA contract, you are being paid in the way that cabin crew were paid 20+ years ago. Those recent joiners who are on new contracts are paid the equivalent of other airlines, so it has nothing to do with recruitment costs, qualifications or languages. That's right, cos BA are rolling in it and all this is some secret agenda to screw the workers. I don't know if you have noticed but BA are hemoraging cash and racking up massive losses. Who the hell do BA crew think they are? The crew of other airlines have far more legitimate grievances. Willie has no choice all the while the unions involved - BA could never be a low cost operator, because the Unions won't allow it. Ryan Air (the most successful low cost airline) doesn't even give their crew water during their flights (which is quite important considering increased dehydration whilst flying) - meanwhile the Union are kicking off about pay rises between 2-7% when most (including much of the Public Sector) will be lucky to get anywhere near this. I heard one bloke on 5 Live's debate this morning go on about the power of the union and that they hold all the trump cards. Sorry, they don't, the CUSTOMER holds the trump cards and the unions need to be taught this very valuable lesson.

Ah but according to Unite, it is done with a heavy heart, which makes it OK then I guess.

Having looked at the likely outcomes, I would like to make a U-turn of massive proportions. This action will make air travel more unreliable and more expensive in the long run - and continued action could bring BA down. This will result in less people flying which will in turn reduce the threat of global warming. Therefore I would like to congratulate the Union for taking such a brave step and it is truly a case of self sacrifice for the good of all of us. Bravo Unite!

People blame Maggie for our ills, but the true enemy of the people are the politically motivated Unions. They made a major contribution to the mess that was created BEFORE Maggie came to power.

Indeed, anyone planning to travel to the US should reward the dedication of Virgin cabin crew to their customers, unlike the loony lefties who are quite happy to smash the childhood dreams of those looking for a once in a lifetime trip to disney at xmas or those who ar desperate to travel to loved ones at this special time of year. Virgin crew get paid much less and have worse conditions, but are clearly more commercially aware than the loony lefties of the sky. Unite stirred this one up without any consideration for their 'customers'. It is time for people-power to crush the unions....vote with your feet and show them that we will not tolerate this bull****.

Over to you Sir Richard, the true flag carrier of our nation. Virgin cabin crew (who earn nearly 50% less than the BA equivalents) voted against strike action on the basis that it would cost more jobs than it would save. Unite were sent with their bags packing....all the way to the British Leyland of the skies. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8411214.stm

It's funny how Blair is described as a Tory (by some) for trying to remove Saddam, whilst proper socialists (and traitors) like George Galloway (who were best mates with Saddam), are conveniently ignored. I can never quite work out which side of the fence they sit on. I think class warfare clearly clouds the judgement of some people.

That mob didn't look very flash to me, well not half as flash as the mob in the Plume at 2pm.

Don't bother, you can play them all here: http://www.zxspectrum.net/ ZX Spectrum rocks!!!

"No more boom and bust" - Circa 2005, 2006, 2007 by our great leader

Indeed, all the time Guantanamo exists, the septics can never complain about miscarriages of justice. At least Amanda had a trial.

Indeed, Jase is a tosser :smile:, he's the one who text me, again Tosser :wink:

Don't put down to guile, that which you can put down to incompetence

The important stats for me are that we are 2 points off the top half (which was 4 before today) and we have cut the gap to the playoffs 9 points. A good day at the office all in all.

St Jase is clearly behind the times.. To be fair, St Jason told me about it, so I can't steal his thunder. Never bought NOTW, but I might be tempted to for a good laugh tomorrow morning.