BA Pilots Strike

[derenstar]

I see today that we’ve had the obligatory headlines in the right wing press focussed purely on how much pilots earn, with a particular focus on the earnings of captains (how many captains are there compared pilots I wonder?). Presumably this is to get the average Joe frothing at the mouths with indignation. It’s so tiresome. Clearly, being a pilot is a specific skillset that attracts a certain wage. Whether one thinks they deserves that much is neither here nor there.

As to the argument that them asking for a share of BA profits would open the floodgates for other workers, so what? Perhaps if more us demanded this, we wouldn’t have such a massive disparity between the wages of CEOs and other senior staff to staff on the ground. I don’t accept that this will mean less jobs for everyone or higher costs for consumers because there is always the choice/option to you know, pay less fat cat bonuses! Imagine that.

The fact remains that without pilots, BA don’t have a business and I say all power to them for knowing their value.

[ClaireNJ]

I did not know that pilots are restricted to 17 hours flying per week, wonder what that works out to per hour

[Procrastinator]

So earlier on in the thread when some raised an eyebrow at how much pilots earned and what they were asking for you were pretty clear this was unfair because of the skills they have etc etc and made the point that...

Originally Posted by derenstar

Personally, I choose not engage in the politics of envy. We’ve each made choices in life that has got us to our present circumstances

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Does this same not engaging in the politics of envy not extend to others who earn more than the pilots? Have the CEO and senior management of a company not made life choices that have got them to where they are? It would seem not...

Originally Posted by derenstar

As to the argument that them asking for a share of BA profits would open the floodgates for other workers, so what? Perhaps if more us demanded this, we wouldn’t have such a massive disparity between the wages of CEOs and other senior staff to staff on the ground. I don’t accept that this will mean less jobs for everyone or higher costs for consumers because there is always the choice/option to you know, pay less fat cat bonuses! Imagine that.

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[bighal]

Originally Posted by derenstar

I see today that we’ve had the obligatory headlines in the right wing press focussed purely on how much pilots earn, with a particular focus on the earnings of captains (how many captains are there compared pilots I wonder?). Presumably this is to get the average Joe frothing at the mouths with indignation. It’s so tiresome. Clearly, being a pilot is a specific skillset that attracts a certain wage. Whether one thinks they deserves that much is neither here nor there.

As to the argument that them asking for a share of BA profits would open the floodgates for other workers, so what? Perhaps if more us demanded this, we wouldn’t have such a massive disparity between the wages of CEOs and other senior staff to staff on the ground. I don’t accept that this will mean less jobs for everyone or higher costs for consumers because there is always the choice/option to you know, pay less fat cat bonuses! Imagine that.

The fact remains that without pilots, BA don’t have a business and I say all power to them for knowing their value.

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If they want a to share in the profits then they can always buy shares in IAG...

[derenstar]

I wasn’t suggesting that CEOs and other senior staff shouldn’t be paid what their role commands. What I do have a problem with, is the notion that workers shouldn’t be allowed to strike or ask for more because of what they’re paid, especially if that company is making billions in profits and that same company asked those very same workers to take a hit when times were bad.

[Loftus]

I have no problem with CEOs and senior management being paid a very good salary. I do not have an issue with bonus schemes linked to genuine performance. Unfortunately all too often the criteria for these bonus schemes are not that onerous and, indeed, almost impossible not to hit. Take the Persimmon boss whose huge bonus package was largely due to the government's help to buy scheme, which he and his board had absolutely nothing to do with.

[Alices Aunt]

Originally Posted by ClaireNJ

I did not know that pilots are restricted to 17 hours flying per week, wonder what that works out to per hour

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Maybe they should fly the same hours that junior doctors work? 🤔

But being serious a share scheme is often a normal bonus structure in a lot of organisations. My husband used to get in working in IT. It really depends on the demands. Frankly I have no problem with people striking to improve their lot. Regardless of how well they are already doing. I just wish it didn’t impact my holidays but from what I read BA pretty much pushed into the holiday period.

[Procrastinator]

Originally Posted by derenstar

I wasn’t suggesting that CEOs and other senior staff shouldn’t be paid what their role commands.

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Really?

Originally Posted by derenstar

there is always the choice/option to you know, pay less fat cat bonuses! Imagine that.

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Originally Posted by derenstar

What I do have a problem with, is the notion that workers shouldn’t be allowed to strike or ask for more because of what they’re paid, especially if that company is making billions in profits and that same company asked those very same workers to take a hit when times were bad.

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I appreciate the following is very
I totally support the concept of a union - and the need to have such a body to stick up for employees when employers are wrong. And I don't think an employees salary should stop them striking either.

But the problem for me (and I appreciate this is now very much an opinion and mine) is when union's use strikes and the chaos they cause to leverage salaries that they could not command based on the skills / experience / knowledge of the employees in question. E.g. I don't think you should be paid more because you can threaten to cause chaos. And this is the territory that for me these BA strikes are in.

I really hope tomorrow ends with a slightly increased offer that the unions accept and which brings this all to an end. But I think they are both too dug in, both just posturing for PR for when it all kicks off.

[derenstar]

Originally Posted by Procrastinator

Really?
I appreciate the following is very
I totally support the concept of a union - and the need to have such a body to stick up for employees when employers are wrong. And I don't think an employees salary should stop them striking either.

But the problem for me (and I appreciate this is now very much an opinion and mine) is when union's use strikes and the chaos they cause to leverage salaries that they could not command based on the skills / experience / knowledge of the employees in question. E.g. I don't think you should be paid more because you can threaten to cause chaos. And this is the territory that for me these BA strikes are in.

I really hope tomorrow ends with a slightly increased offer that the unions accept and which brings this all to an end. But I think they are both too dug in, both just posturing for PR for when it all kicks off.

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Yes really. I’m quite clear what I meant, it’s up to you how you choose to interpret it. Strikes are meant to cause chaos, that’s the point.

[duchy]

Just shows that BA pilot is as out of touch with the customers he flies as certain politicians are with their constituents.
Arrogance or lack of imagination ?

Originally Posted by derenstar

Have you noticed how these sort of headlines always get trotted about whenever transport workers dare to strike? It’s done deliberately and it’s had the intended affect. Personally, I choose not engage in the politics of envy. We’ve each made choices in life that has got us to our present circumstances, so I can’t get exercised about a pilot feeling hard done by staying in a 4 star hotel anymore than a premier league footballer getting paid millions to play a game.

Taking strike action is not and shouldn’t be a popularity contest but workers fighting for what they feel they are due, regardless of how that compares to the earnings or circumstances of others.

Each to their own.

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