| PILOT BULLYING 28th February 2013 The confidential online electronic survey has now closed. The results are below; they make for worrying reading not just for us as your union but also for British Airways. They clearly show that there is a problem, not only with the levels of perceived bullying but also the almost non-existent levels of faith in IFCE management’s application of policies designed to protect people from this type of behavior. The combination of these two factors shows that bullying is not only endemic but that people believe it to be almost institutionally condoned. The positive news, is that we have provisionally shared with IFCE how damming these results are and they have already indicated they wish to act immediately and want to set up meetings involving the highest levels of both IFCE and Flight Crew management along with BASSA and BALPA to try and tackle this issue. These results show that these meetings can’t happen soon enough. Individual Responses: 3367 Have you ever felt bullied on the Aircraft by a member of flight crew? Yes – 83% No – 17% Have you ever witnessed a colleague on an aircraft being bullied by a member of flight crew? Yes –74% No – 26% Have you ever felt bullied whilst down route by a member of flight crew? Yes – 67% No – 33% Have you ever witnessed a colleague being bullied by a member of flight crew whilst down route? Yes – 52% No – 48% With specific reference to British Airways employment policies do you believe that cabin crew and pilots are treated equally? Yes – 2% No – 98% If you reported an incident of bullying and harassment by a member of flight crew to your line manager, would you be confident that the matter would be treated fairly? Yes – 3% No – 97% Do you have confidence that Bill Francis (as the Head of IFCE) takes the issue of flight crew bullying seriously? Yes – 2% No – 98% |
Thursday 28 February 2013
bullying
Monday 18 February 2013
Strike Take 2
Airports deserted as Iberia strike grounds Spanish planes worldwide… and even three British Airways jets are cancelled
- The strike is due to last from February 18 to February 22 over job cuts
- More than 80 departures cancelled, including three BA flights to London
- Workers clash with police, chant slogans and hold anti-British banners
- Iberia, which merged with BA in 2011, wants to cut 3,807 jobs and slash pay
By MATT BLAKE
|
Dozens of flights in and out of Spain were cancelled today as workers at Spain's flagship airline Iberia began a five-day strike in protest over planned job cuts.
More than 80 departures were grounded across the country - including three British Airways flights to London - because of airport understaffing, making terminals across the country better resemble shiny-floored ghost towns than international transport hubs.
In Barcelona Airport jumbo jets sat silently on the tarmac, terminal buses stood empty and luggage belts were switched off. The only signs of life were the handful of check-in workers who sat at their desks vacantly with seemingly nothing to do.
However, while Madrid's Barajas International Airport was also entirely bereft of passengers, hundreds of furious workers clashed with riot police in protest over plans to slash nearly 4,000 jobs and cut salaries.
Engines off: More than 80 Iberia flights were cancelled on Monday as workers at the carrier began the series of strikes that is expected to cost the airline and struggling national economy millions of euros in lost business
Eerie: Taxis queue outside the airport waiting for passengers to return to Madrid's main airport. But inside, the airport was eerily quiet as most passengers had been rescheduled
Guard: Riot police officers stand guard at Iberia check-in desk for fear stikers may storm the lobby at Terminal 1 of Barcelona's airport
The strike, due to last from February 18 to February 22, will hit British travellers particularly hard as it coincides with school holidays in Britain, Spain's biggest source of tourists.
In anticipation of the strike, Iberia had already canceled 415 flights between Monday and Friday, and as many as 1,200 flights operated by various airlines will be disrupted because of the lack of handling services at Spanish airports.
But much of the anger is aimed at Britain. British Airways merged with Iberia in 2011 to form the International Airlines Group before reporting a loss of 262 million euros (£226 million) in the first nine months of 2012.
Deserted: Police officers of the Generalitat of Catalonia or Mossos d'Esquadra stand watch in front of Iberia check-in counters during a protest by Iberia workers at Barcelona airport in Prat Llobregat
Nothing to do: Iberia employees man empty check-in counters during the protest
All alone: A lone airport worker walks between two airport 'fingers' at Barajas international airport
The airline argues restructuring is vital to return the Spanish unit to profitability while unions say the IAG management is degrading pay and benefits in Spain through its low-cost airline Iberia Express.
Some of the protesters chanted anti-British slogans and waved banners with words including, 'British Go Home', and 'No to layoffs in Iberia, stop the British colonization'.
Outside the terminal police beat some strikers with truncheons. At least two protesters were arrested.
'British go home': Iberia staff hold signs and gather in protest against job cuts at Barajas Airport
Tension: The strike, due to last from February 18 to February 22, will hit British travellers particularly hard as it coincides with school holidays in Britain, Spain's biggest source of tourists
Workforce: Spanish Airline Iberia staff push through a police cordon during a protest against job cuts
Policemen arrest a Spanish Airline Iberia worker: In anticipation of the strike, Iberia had already canceled 415 flights between Monday and Friday, and as many as 1,200 flights operated by various airlines will be disrupted because of the lack of handling services at Spanish airports
More than 80 Iberia flights were cancelled on Monday as workers at the carrier began the series of strikes that is expected to cost the airline and struggling national economy millions of euros in lost business.
Staff, including baggage handlers and air stewards, are holding three five-day strikes in February and March to protest management plans to axe jobs and cut salaries at the loss-making airline. Some 10 percent of long-haul flights and half of domestic flights will be grounded this week.
The labour unions kicked off the demonstrations in the morning with an 8 km-march (5 miles) around Barajas, telling reporters the airline was under threat, as was the future of the airport.
Clashes: Outside the terminal police beat some strikers with truncheons. At least two protesters were arrested
Sit down: The protest began peacfully as hundreds of Iberia staff sat in protest in the airport's Terminal 4
Solidarity: Staff, including baggage handlers and air stewards, are holding three five-day strikes in February and March to protest management plans to axe jobs and cut salaries at the loss-making airline
'Nobody is safe from being sacked,' said Elias Gonzalez, a maintenance supervisor at the protest who has worked for Iberia for 27 years.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEADING PARTY THREATENS TO VETO BUDGET OVER CUTS
The leaders of the European Parliament are threatening to veto the bloc's multi-annual budget because of its deep cuts.
The Christian Democratic EPP, the largest group in the legislature, said the seven-year budget worth £830 billion must be revised to realistically reflect the EU's growing competences and responsibilities.
Socialist leader Hannes Swoboda called the budget - which needs parliament's approval - unacceptable and said there won't be a majority for the proposed plan.
The EU's 27 member states earlier this month agreed on a budget deal that foresees the first cuts in the bloc's history for the years 2014-2020.
EU President Herman Van Rompuy defended the plan as shifting funds toward growth-friendly investment while recognizing the need to tighten belts currently felt across Europe.
'There was an initial deal with the company when the merger with the British was agreed, but now there is disagreement.'
Although skeleton staff were on duty and the airline had rescheduled most passengers or returned them their money, some people were left stranded.
'When we come for tourism, we don't want to be bothered by strikes,' said Robert, a French tourist who did not want to give his last name.
'Everyone has their problems but they shouldn't bother people who bring in money. That's also business.'
Queues formed as some staff abandoned check-in desks while unionists shouted in the airport.
Tourism accounts for around 11 percent of Spanish economic output and is one of the country's few growth sectors in a prolonged recession that has pushed the unemployment rate above 26 percent.
Some 70,000 passengers will be affected by this week's strike. About 86 percent have been given a different flights, including those operated by other airlines, while 14 percent had asked for refunds.
The airline says restructuring is vital to return the Spanish unit to profitability while unions say the IAG management is degrading pay and benefits in Spain through its new low-cost airline Iberia Express.
You shall not pass: Riot Police make a cordon during a protest of Spanish Airline Iberia staff against job cuts at Barajas Airport in Madrid
Rights' march: The labour unions kicked off the demonstrations in the morning with an 8 km-march (5 miles) around Barajas, telling reporters the airline was under threat, as was the future of the airport
Iberia is just one of several companies in Spain, including Vodafone and bailed-out lender Bankia, to lay off workers.
It is fighting an uphill battle against low-cost operators, a depressed domestic economy and competitors that are in better shape after having already gone through restructuring processes.
Sabadell Bolsa analysts said the total 15 days of strikes could cost Iberia between 50 million euros and 100 million euros of losses.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2280619/Airports-deserted-Iberia-strike-grounds-Spanish-planes-worldwide-British-Airways-jets-cancelled.html#ixzz2LHVH5sIw
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Strike Take 2
Airports deserted as Iberia strike grounds Spanish planes worldwide… and even three British Airways jets are cancelled
- The strike is due to last from February 18 to February 22 over job cuts
- More than 80 departures cancelled, including three BA flights to London
- Workers clash with police, chant slogans and hold anti-British banners
- Iberia, which merged with BA in 2011, wants to cut 3,807 jobs and slash pay
By MATT BLAKE
|
Dozens of flights in and out of Spain were cancelled today as workers at Spain's flagship airline Iberia began a five-day strike in protest over planned job cuts.
More than 80 departures were grounded across the country - including three British Airways flights to London - because of airport understaffing, making terminals across the country better resemble shiny-floored ghost towns than international transport hubs.
In Barcelona Airport jumbo jets sat silently on the tarmac, terminal buses stood empty and luggage belts were switched off. The only signs of life were the handful of check-in workers who sat at their desks vacantly with seemingly nothing to do.
However, while Madrid's Barajas International Airport was also entirely bereft of passengers, hundreds of furious workers clashed with riot police in protest over plans to slash nearly 4,000 jobs and cut salaries.
Engines off: More than 80 Iberia flights were cancelled on Monday as workers at the carrier began the series of strikes that is expected to cost the airline and struggling national economy millions of euros in lost business
Eerie: Taxis queue outside the airport waiting for passengers to return to Madrid's main airport. But inside, the airport was eerily quiet as most passengers had been rescheduled
Guard: Riot police officers stand guard at Iberia check-in desk for fear stikers may storm the lobby at Terminal 1 of Barcelona's airport
The strike, due to last from February 18 to February 22, will hit British travellers particularly hard as it coincides with school holidays in Britain, Spain's biggest source of tourists.
In anticipation of the strike, Iberia had already canceled 415 flights between Monday and Friday, and as many as 1,200 flights operated by various airlines will be disrupted because of the lack of handling services at Spanish airports.
But much of the anger is aimed at Britain. British Airways merged with Iberia in 2011 to form the International Airlines Group before reporting a loss of 262 million euros (£226 million) in the first nine months of 2012.
Deserted: Police officers of the Generalitat of Catalonia or Mossos d'Esquadra stand watch in front of Iberia check-in counters during a protest by Iberia workers at Barcelona airport in Prat Llobregat
Nothing to do: Iberia employees man empty check-in counters during the protest
All alone: A lone airport worker walks between two airport 'fingers' at Barajas international airport
The airline argues restructuring is vital to return the Spanish unit to profitability while unions say the IAG management is degrading pay and benefits in Spain through its low-cost airline Iberia Express.
Some of the protesters chanted anti-British slogans and waved banners with words including, 'British Go Home', and 'No to layoffs in Iberia, stop the British colonization'.
Outside the terminal police beat some strikers with truncheons. At least two protesters were arrested.
'British go home': Iberia staff hold signs and gather in protest against job cuts at Barajas Airport
Tension: The strike, due to last from February 18 to February 22, will hit British travellers particularly hard as it coincides with school holidays in Britain, Spain's biggest source of tourists
Workforce: Spanish Airline Iberia staff push through a police cordon during a protest against job cuts
Policemen arrest a Spanish Airline Iberia worker: In anticipation of the strike, Iberia had already canceled 415 flights between Monday and Friday, and as many as 1,200 flights operated by various airlines will be disrupted because of the lack of handling services at Spanish airports
More than 80 Iberia flights were cancelled on Monday as workers at the carrier began the series of strikes that is expected to cost the airline and struggling national economy millions of euros in lost business.
Staff, including baggage handlers and air stewards, are holding three five-day strikes in February and March to protest management plans to axe jobs and cut salaries at the loss-making airline. Some 10 percent of long-haul flights and half of domestic flights will be grounded this week.
The labour unions kicked off the demonstrations in the morning with an 8 km-march (5 miles) around Barajas, telling reporters the airline was under threat, as was the future of the airport.
Clashes: Outside the terminal police beat some strikers with truncheons. At least two protesters were arrested
Sit down: The protest began peacfully as hundreds of Iberia staff sat in protest in the airport's Terminal 4
Solidarity: Staff, including baggage handlers and air stewards, are holding three five-day strikes in February and March to protest management plans to axe jobs and cut salaries at the loss-making airline
'Nobody is safe from being sacked,' said Elias Gonzalez, a maintenance supervisor at the protest who has worked for Iberia for 27 years.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEADING PARTY THREATENS TO VETO BUDGET OVER CUTS
The leaders of the European Parliament are threatening to veto the bloc's multi-annual budget because of its deep cuts.
The Christian Democratic EPP, the largest group in the legislature, said the seven-year budget worth £830 billion must be revised to realistically reflect the EU's growing competences and responsibilities.
Socialist leader Hannes Swoboda called the budget - which needs parliament's approval - unacceptable and said there won't be a majority for the proposed plan.
The EU's 27 member states earlier this month agreed on a budget deal that foresees the first cuts in the bloc's history for the years 2014-2020.
EU President Herman Van Rompuy defended the plan as shifting funds toward growth-friendly investment while recognizing the need to tighten belts currently felt across Europe.
'There was an initial deal with the company when the merger with the British was agreed, but now there is disagreement.'
Although skeleton staff were on duty and the airline had rescheduled most passengers or returned them their money, some people were left stranded.
'When we come for tourism, we don't want to be bothered by strikes,' said Robert, a French tourist who did not want to give his last name.
'Everyone has their problems but they shouldn't bother people who bring in money. That's also business.'
Queues formed as some staff abandoned check-in desks while unionists shouted in the airport.
Tourism accounts for around 11 percent of Spanish economic output and is one of the country's few growth sectors in a prolonged recession that has pushed the unemployment rate above 26 percent.
Some 70,000 passengers will be affected by this week's strike. About 86 percent have been given a different flights, including those operated by other airlines, while 14 percent had asked for refunds.
The airline says restructuring is vital to return the Spanish unit to profitability while unions say the IAG management is degrading pay and benefits in Spain through its new low-cost airline Iberia Express.
You shall not pass: Riot Police make a cordon during a protest of Spanish Airline Iberia staff against job cuts at Barajas Airport in Madrid
Rights' march: The labour unions kicked off the demonstrations in the morning with an 8 km-march (5 miles) around Barajas, telling reporters the airline was under threat, as was the future of the airport
Iberia is just one of several companies in Spain, including Vodafone and bailed-out lender Bankia, to lay off workers.
It is fighting an uphill battle against low-cost operators, a depressed domestic economy and competitors that are in better shape after having already gone through restructuring processes.
Sabadell Bolsa analysts said the total 15 days of strikes could cost Iberia between 50 million euros and 100 million euros of losses.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2280619/Airports-deserted-Iberia-strike-grounds-Spanish-planes-worldwide-British-Airways-jets-cancelled.html#ixzz2LHVH5sIw
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF…
|
Sunday 3 February 2013
Brutish Airways: Woman is groped by tipsy pilot
Suspended ... the pilot - not part of the crew - was travelling to Tokyo to pick up another flight
Published: 14 hrs ago
A DISGRACED British Airways pilot has been suspended for the second time in months after molesting a woman passenger.
He drunkenly grabbed his victim — flying First Class with her husband — then screamed: “I want to **** her.”
The veteran First Officer had only recently returned to his £100,000-a-year job after punching a steward in the face last summer.
In the latest incident he repeatedly downed whiskies at 30,000ft before trying to grope the woman — as her husband sat next to her.
Later he tried to get into the cockpit shouting: “I want to rape the flight deck.” Finally he collapsed in front of stunned passengers on the London-to-Japan jet.
The pilot — not part of the crew — was travelling to Tokyo to pick up another flight. BA confirmed last night that he had been suspended. Airline insiders said there was “no chance” he would wear a BA uniform again.
A source said: “He should have been sacked last time.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4775941/Woman-is-groped-by-tipsy-British-Airways-pilot.html#ixzz2Jr6piajV
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