Why can't industrial disputes be handled better?

[rov1200]

Yet again BA can't agree with the unions so another strike has been called for costing the company and its workers £millions.

Could the government bring into law stating that negotiators on both sides are locked in a room and stay there until an agreement is made? Or why not? We know that in the end an agreement will be made but do we have to have so much inconvenience in the meantime?

[rov1200]

I am suggesting exactly that! It has been used in the past but I need to do some research as to what happened.

[chrissa1]

In the US back in the 80's old Ronald Reagan had to deal with an all out strike by one of the airlines and he told them if they wanted their job they had to turn up for work on the next Monday or the airline would be closed down with the loss of all the jobs. Everyone turned up for work. (I think). Sounds good to me.

[bobjugs12]

I got dicked with the Firefighters strike in 2003 (I think lol). I used to have a bit of sympathy for strikers, but after that I saw that when somebody strikes, others have to go and clean up the mess.

As for BA, there staff are treated better (generally) than most other airlines. It's more of a case of having their cake and eating it. If I was BA's management. I would sack every one who striked then offer them there jobs back at £5k a year less than there on now.

[New Judge]

Why do you think the State should intervene to compel a private company and its employees to settle their differences?

[BertiWooster]

Willie Walsh is out to do the equivalent of a Thatcher - i.e to break the union .

Almost certainly , a condition of the tie up with Iberia

[Gromit]

When BA and Iberia merge, many thousands of jobs will go. BA management could end this strike today if they wanted to. But their aim is to break the Union to make it easier and cheaper to cut the workforce.

[Gromit]

And this rotten Government stand idly by while this strike brings the country to it's knees.

[Davethedog]

Bob what makes you think BA workers are treated better than other airline workers?

My understanding, which is anecdotal, is that they are bullied and treated quite shabbily. One of the stories last year was about a member of cabin crew, who because of sudden rota changes was away from home for 28 days, including a stand by for 5 days somewhere, when she complianed she was told she could always find another job.

[Davethedog]

I agree with New Judge its a private company, its internal wranglings have nothing to do with the Government.

As I have said there are other airlines, its not like everyone isn't aware of it, is it?

[R1Geezer]

Unions are full of chip on shoulder idiots who cannot fathom that their job actually has a function beyond providing them with a job. They cannot accept that the business needs to be efficient and compete in the market place. Unions cause most of the unemployment themselves by their dogma and stupidity.

[Seadragon]

It is illegal for the government to be involved. I remember reading during the Cadbury fiasco that the government is powerless to act having given up any say that is in the 'public interest' under the Competition Act 2000. Total mess up by Brown and Mandleson that.

[New Judge]

I don't think, Gromit, that this particular dispute will bring the country to its knees.

It may well bring BA to its knees and it will certainly cause massive inconvenience for BA's customers, but I think the rest of the nation will somehow muddle along.

[bobjugs12]

Dave, mine is also secondhand but a friend who works for Virgin told me that BA staff are better paid and have more perks (ie travel etc) than their contemperies in other airlines

[Prudie]

And also secondhand but a gf of mine is BA cabin crew on long-haul,She's paid well over £30K, has use of a an expense card while away when she always stays in 5 * hotels and is only away about 12 days in a month. Not too shabby for serving drinks in the sky.

[Seadragon]

I'm wrong in my post by the way - sorry - the Competition Act 2000 is in no way relevant to this issue. I can't even give a suitable explanation for my misunderstanding of the question. But please when I'm wrong do correct me, I don't bite.......well only sometimes.

Anyway have a good Friday night, try not to get too p!ssed and amicably throw yourselves at strangers declaring your love for this country in particular for Cameron and Clegg. Good evening.