tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post8325704585094464504..comments2016-03-20T18:12:15.054+00:00Comments on BA-be-fair - the website of the Staff Travel Watch: WelcomeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-51504777579758595192016-03-20T15:31:29.745+00:002016-03-20T15:31:29.745+00:00We were a family working for BOAC/BA - I still lov...We were a family working for BOAC/BA - I still love BA even though now sadly, we have been thrown on the scrap heap. It is ludicrous that in this civilised country that somebody can walk into our beloved airline swinging an axe and ruthlessly decide to deny us our very well earned travel concessions. I believe that decency and principals are assets that cannot easily be taught to the very uncaring and heartless.<br />Katherine Baptiste (retired staff).<br /><br />I prefer to be known as "retired staff" rather than "former employee"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-12846287904370157482010-01-30T11:08:39.331+00:002010-01-30T11:08:39.331+00:00It has gone very quiet on this site. I see today i...It has gone very quiet on this site. I see today in BA News that "We're proud to back BA". At one time I was proud to work for BA and in the current situation I would have been prepared to back BA (in any way a retiree could) however after the slap in the face that we have had I would find it difficult to volunteer. Willy should realise that he needs to keep everyone on his side including the large retiree population that he has so successfully alienated.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-33253878816296167922009-09-30T05:33:48.365+01:002009-09-30T05:33:48.365+01:00Page 2 of the Sept. 24th edition of B.A. News cont...Page 2 of the Sept. 24th edition of B.A. News contains another breast-beating, self congratulatory, pronouncement .........<br /> <br />" Staff Travel Shake-Up now offers more choices "<br /> <br />Yeah, right ! for those who get any choice at all.<br /> <br />It is now coming up to 6 months since the introduction of Staff Travel 2009, which will shortly remove us from any access to rebate travel, and this article is reminding those who will still qualify that the first period of 6 months is about to pass, and those who wish to can now nominate a totally new Travel Partner, who will enjoy most of the benefits of the rebate travel that is shortly to be removed from us - even tho' they have never worked for B.A., never mind given a lifetime of service.<br /> <br />Further comment is superfluousMurgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-66274077159848730982009-09-01T00:41:06.568+01:002009-09-01T00:41:06.568+01:00Just sent this to BA News........
The Editor,
BA ...Just sent this to BA News........<br /><br />The Editor,<br />BA News.<br /> <br />31st August,<br /> <br />How nice of BA to invite reminiscences from older former employees to help their 90th Birthday celebrations, and then with the other hand slap us across the face by throwing us out of the Staff Travel 'family'.<br /> <br />Yes, I used to enjoy working for BOAC more than 50 years ago.Murgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-32523500383513518232009-06-28T00:57:20.598+01:002009-06-28T00:57:20.598+01:00The Times 27th June ".... BA Board vote for...The Times 27th June ".... BA Board vote for pay cut ( one months' salary ) but keep free, First Class, Staff Travel FOR LIFE. ... "<br /><br />I wonder how long some of them have served ?Murgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-53499451172099516032009-06-12T08:43:38.429+01:002009-06-12T08:43:38.429+01:00Although I don't share the writer's emotio...Although I don't share the writer's emotions, few pensioners would fail to understand them. Coincidentally on the same day as this comment was posted I received a letter thanking the STCWG for its work with this notation "Against fools even the gods battle in vain."<br /><br />I'm sure none of the STCWG thought of themselves as gods but they certainly felt the frustration.<br /><br />A modern saying (often mis-attributed) claims that "for evil to prosper all it takes is for good men to do nothing". I regard the people at BA less as evil, more as fools, but be sure that there are considerably more than a few good people ready to make BA management pay for the way they've treated pensioners. <br /><br />With the CEO's latest cuts there are now more pensioners than BA staff. It may be Sibson, the third runway or whatever, but sooner or later BA will want the goodwill of its pensioners and the fools will then realise that our goodwill has a price tag. We will not give up.Philip Howellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03551237154312028226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-56999095906521307662009-06-11T23:54:55.066+01:002009-06-11T23:54:55.066+01:00...let me say, last month in Hillingdon Hospital C......let me say, last month in Hillingdon Hospital Cardiac Clinic I overheard a conversation of two retired BA couples. All were expressing opinion, that with the demise of Staff Travel telephone booking line they do not use Staff Travel anymore, as they do not own a computer and can't be bothered to ask family for help.<br />I was dismayed hearing this, I feel very sorry for them and no doubt hundreds of other Pensioners who are constructively deprived od access to Staff Travel because of the new procedures. Who will stand up for them?<br /><br />Letters to Staff Travel and Retirement Services are ignored, because staffing levels have been cut to the bare minimum by orders from the Board. There is only a few staff in Staff Travel at Waterside, how on earth can they reply to all serving and retired staff queries??<br /><br />I have long ago come to the conclusion that BA has changed beyond all recognision. On my last day after 18 years service, there was not a Manager in sight to wish me happy retirement..The rules are not fair, but what's new. Unions are useless,unless engaged in Cabin and Flight Crew negotiations. <br /><br />I do not wish to waste my time and energy on fight against Staff Travel Management, Sipson Residents Association, Third Runway and Willie Walsh's bonus or not.<br />I wish you all the same - enjoy your retirement, take what's on offer and use it to the full. We've done our bit, you can only do so much, let the current BA employees take over.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-91870141600867042182009-05-30T04:28:19.889+01:002009-05-30T04:28:19.889+01:00These will be the same Staff Travel Management who...These will be the same Staff Travel Management who don't respond to or even acknowledge letters; the same Staff Travel Management who are on record for publicly humiliating a pensioner who allowed a neighbour to type his BSAFE password into the computer - exactly as he was advised to do in printed advice issued by BA to pensioners deprived of any other means of contact with Staff Travel; these will be the same trades unions whose Trustees invariably vote with the company against the interests of pensioners?<br /><br />Before you plead for some sort of appreciation you would do well to understand why pensioners feel as they do about you.<br /><br />Although the rules of this blog require commenters to properly identfy themselves, this anonymous comment was exempted because it highlights many of the problems pensioners (the principal subjects of this site) have to deal with.<br /><br />Far from being ego-centric, most supporters continue to be focussed on the plight of the few thousand pensioners who will lose all Staff Travel completely. No-one else stands up for them. The trades unions (with the exception of BALPA which has a retired staff rep) ignore you once you stop paying your subs, even Retirement Services, hitherto a polite exception, are now adopting the practice (honed in BA by the CEO downwards) of ignoring anything they don't like eg letters, e-mail etc. <br /><br />About a year ago the CEO, supported by his lapdogs in the unelected Retired Staff Liaison Council, sent all 47,000 pensioners an expensive colour leaflet asking for their support for the airline's campaign for a third runway at Heathrow. No doubt if there is a change of government after the next election they'll need support for the destruction of Sipson once again. Next time support will have a prce.<br /><br />Finally, very few pensioners are demanding Staff Travel "for life" - even though that was what they believed the company offered when they made their contract with it. Most would have been happy to have started their qualification period when the new scheme was introduced last month. What everybody felt to be very unfair is to change the rules retrospectively. <br /><br />If you can defend that and are prepared to put your name to your opinions please reply.Philip Howellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03551237154312028226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-77902882914504812382009-05-29T21:27:18.463+01:002009-05-29T21:27:18.463+01:00...another option is to own 200 BA shares and qual......another option is to own 200 BA shares and qualify for 10% off commercial fares.<br /><br />I do feel sympathetic towards Staff Travel Management because they are stuck between the orders from above and the needs and displeasure of employees. <br />I wish that comments were directed to the Unions, as they represent us in negotiations with the Head Office. Staff travel Management is just a cog in the wheel, can't you see that? <br /><br />I wish complaining employees have bigger picture in mind not blinkers on their eyes "I, me, mine,". Times are changing and nothing is "for life" any more, have a look around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-75834012984069671462009-05-21T20:05:16.984+01:002009-05-21T20:05:16.984+01:00It is all very well saying use Hotline but how are...It is all very well saying use Hotline but how are we supposed to do that when we will no longer have access to the staff travel site after our time runs out? I am 71 and I do not find the need to stop using Staff Travel due my age. The biggest hassle as far as I am concerned is the attitude of certain members of staff travel management.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-3800575119926480062009-05-14T11:31:00.000+01:002009-05-14T11:31:00.000+01:00...well, reading above comments I would like to br......well, reading above comments I would like to bring to attention recent ZED fares, after 1st Apr 09. Staff travel ZED fare LGW - KRK (Krakow)is £70.64 and Hotline is £84. Not much difference and huge advantage to be treated like commercial passenger..<br />Perhaps Staff Travel unfair rules will become insignificant once price comparison comes into it. <br />I am sure each and every one of former BA Staff have used Staff Travel to the full while in employmet - I did.<br /><br />I am a pensioner too, don't mind new rules, as I do not envisage to travel longhaul on Staff Travel past my 70th Birthday, due to hassle, offloads and stress concerned with travelling on Staff Travel tickets. There comes a time to pay up unless you want to take it all with you in travellers cheques....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-7612939172321825722009-03-19T11:36:00.000+00:002009-03-19T11:36:00.000+00:00BA-be-fair........ Comments. John, The issue of c...BA-be-fair........ Comments.<BR/> <BR/>John, The issue of changes to benefits to staff leaving after 1st dec. 2007 was noticed by an eagle eyed member of the Canadian Retirees Ass'n. who happened to srutinise the S.T. 2009 document sometime during mid-2008, having already read the original document dated Nov. 2007.which didn't include this new condition at the time of first publication. Someone reading the document now would be excused for thinking that the way it is now, was the way it was first written ! The changes were subtly introduced !<BR/> <BR/>I wrote to Clare Hatchwell,then Mgr. S.T. 21st October,2008 suggesting that I approved of changes taking place, because that meant that there was no bar for further changes - to our advantage, for instance starting our Countdown on 1st April, 2009,like everyone else. If the document can be altered to suit them, then it can be altered to suit us. No ?<BR/> <BR/>Here are extracts from my letter, and her reply.<BR/> <BR/>Ms. Hatchwell, I attach two editions of page 6 of the Staff Travel 2009 document posted on the FAQ's of the pensioners section of the my.baplc website. I'm delighted that changes are taking place, that means that there is now no bar to changing the eligibility for the older pensioners, removing the clause that states that they must start their 'countdown' from the original time of retirement, ( plus a derisory 5 year extension ) not in April 2009, like everybody else.<BR/> <BR/>from her reply .......... There was a change made to policy, which has been updated on the intranet .......however, I accept it doesn't have the correct date on it.<BR/> <BR/>She did not explain why.<BR/> <BR/>Note that BA will NOT be advising of any further changes, they rely on pensioners scrutinising the Intranet, FAQ's for pensioners, how often are you prepared to do that ? !!! Everyday with you breakfast cornflakes ? ABAP are asking for volunteers to form a Staff Travel Watch, to keep a look out for this sort of skulduggery.<BR/> <BR/>Murg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-63021255079062781152009-02-23T16:50:00.000+00:002009-02-23T16:50:00.000+00:00Giulia - are you by any chance the very nice Giuli...Giulia - are you by any chance the very nice Giulia that I sat next to on LHR-Singapore on 7th Sept & we discussed this very issue?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-66033627860742215052009-02-14T21:16:00.000+00:002009-02-14T21:16:00.000+00:00The more I think about it the better Murgs idea of...The more I think about it the better Murgs idea of everyone starting the countdown on 1 Apr seems. If they have to change things this seems to be a good compromise that would satisfy the majority of retired staff. They would not even need to compensate people who have been retired longer than they worked or are within 5 years of using up their time, that in itself is unfair as what about the poor retirees who have a few days more than 5 years left.<BR/>Can anyone explain why people who left after 1 Dec 2007 get a better benefit, that seems to be discrimination aginst all the ones that left before that date.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-50987527423185823902009-02-04T00:41:00.000+00:002009-02-04T00:41:00.000+00:00GiuliaThe opinion will be published in full along ...Giulia<BR/><BR/>The opinion will be published in full along with the Working Group's proposals for the next stage of the campaign in the very near future.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your patience.Philip Howellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03551237154312028226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-7058095271080204692009-02-04T00:12:00.000+00:002009-02-04T00:12:00.000+00:00from Giulia Lansdowne Staff 179671Does anyone know...from Giulia Lansdowne Staff 179671<BR/><BR/>Does anyone know the outcome of the legal advise sought a few months ago? Did we get a favourable opinion? and could it<BR/>be made available to us all?Giuliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08706421134635445857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-47684795261333992592009-02-03T20:16:00.000+00:002009-02-03T20:16:00.000+00:00With regards to BA's appeal for support for the 3r...With regards to BA's appeal for support for the 3rd runway I wrote to the Company Secretary raising strong objections to my PRIVATE postal address being used for such propaganda. Since my village will be demolished by pro-Franco Spanish-owned Ferrovial (aka BAA) I strongly object to the lies and false promises that local residents have been fed by BA, BAA, the unions, the DfT, and Brown's sleazy Gov't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-12500138066930555812009-02-03T08:13:00.000+00:002009-02-03T08:13:00.000+00:00Pierre,Absolutely right, but unfortunately you're ...Pierre,<BR/><BR/>Absolutely right, but unfortunately you're preaching to the converted, and there's none so deaf as don't want to hear - and BA have made it abundantly clear that they will not listen to anymore sense. Staff Travel Manager was publicly published in the last Touchdown as saying that no more correspondence will be entered into, so be a good boy and don't bother to write to her anymore - or maybe not !! See my post above !<BR/>Nil Illegitimum Carborundum.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-75785845645769997622009-02-01T12:08:00.000+00:002009-02-01T12:08:00.000+00:00Many Pensioners retired abroad based on the availa...Many Pensioners retired abroad based on the availability of Staff Travel to help with their own travel (avoiding school hols if poss!) and with relatives (hotline)<BR/><BR/>To deny this is highly unfair and also removes a substantial block of people who regularly contribute to BA profits from Staff Travel<BR/><BR/>Pete SmithAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03534004894603805533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-39838455867008484732009-01-31T07:04:00.000+00:002009-01-31T07:04:00.000+00:00I don't know what pensioners reactions were to the...I don't know what pensioners reactions were to the request from Willie Walsh to support the push for a 3rd runway at Heathrow, but I supported the request.<BR/><BR/>I scratched his back, and he has kicked me up the **** by way of thanks.<BR/><BR/>From a purely personal standpoint, living in New Zealand, granting me the concession to purchase ZED fares through Staff Travel will cost BA absolutely nothing, BA don't service New Zealand anymore, but I need to be part of the 'family' to use Qantas, for instance. <BR/><BR/>The Jan. 22nd edition of B.A. News is full of self congratulatory comments from staff regarding the 3rd Runway, but also makes a comment about the imminent introduction of Staff Travel 2009 from a Hilary Brayfield, described as Policy Co-ordinator, Staff Travel - perhaps she is the person to whom you should now send your letters ?<BR/><BR/>I have just sent this to W.Walsh, with a copy to Ms. Brayfield. Other may wish to do the same.<BR/><BR/>31st January, 2009<BR/><BR/>Dear Mr. Walsh,<BR/><BR/>3rd Runway at Heathrow success.<BR/><BR/>Congratulations on achieving the first step in the proposal to build a third runway at Heathrow.<BR/><BR/>I responded to your recent request to BA pensioners to complete a petition supporting a third runway, which I hope assisted your case, and now I would like some assistance from you in return.<BR/><BR/>I am one of the older pensioners who have now been retired for a longer period than we served with BOAC / BA and are about to lose our Staff Travel Concessions with the introduction of Staff Travel 2009 in April.<BR/><BR/>My situation is worsened as a result of my agreeing to take Severance in 1983 – at the request of the Company, to also assist them at that time - so I served less time than I had anticipated, and being flying staff with a compulsory retirement age of 55 didn’t help, either.<BR/><BR/>At age 74 I don’t consider a five year ‘concession’ either ‘generous’ – as described by the Staff Travel Manager, or adequate.<BR/><BR/>I am not alone in this opinion, as I’m sure you are aware.<BR/><BR/>I am prepared to relinquish my expectation of Lifetime Staff Travel in accordance with the new policy, but also wish to be treated the same as everyone else, i.e. to start my Service –v- Retirement period on 1st April 2009<BR/><BR/>Why not ?<BR/><BR/>I appeal to you to re-consider this cruel aspect of Staff Travel 2009.<BR/><BR/>Thank you,<BR/><BR/>Alan Murgatroyd<BR/>Capt. BOAC / BA Ret’dAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-83078677975142701672009-01-13T11:57:00.000+00:002009-01-13T11:57:00.000+00:00I am not surprised that BA have rejected the propo...I am not surprised that BA have rejected the proposals. It will take more than a mere request to move them. I agree with Murg, I myself would be quite happy to start the countdown from the start of ST2009. The people driving the change (and I would think that it is higher up than Ms Hatchwell) should feel ashamed at the way they are attacking the pensioners that have given long and loyal service to BA. If I was still working at BA and was asked to implement this sort of change I am sure that I would be looking for a different position in the company, I would not like to be associated with such an underhand scheme.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-5617010709264956492009-01-08T11:15:00.000+00:002009-01-08T11:15:00.000+00:00I think it is dishonorable to welch on an agreemen...I think it is dishonorable to welch on an agreement such as we had in Staff Travel.<BR/> Secondly I have wondered about the motivation behind it. I seem to remember a retired member criticising Willie Walsh on his informal, or sloppy appearance viz. not wearing a tie. Could this be the needle that goaded him into this apparantly senseless and inhumane action? It would of course never be admitted!<BR/> Best wishes Jim Mclean 39years service s/n 821561Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-12610521088572626322009-01-08T02:06:00.000+00:002009-01-08T02:06:00.000+00:00I've just written this, despite her saying that no...I've just written this, despite her saying that no more letters will be answered by her, that doesn't stop us writing them !<BR/><BR/>Dear Ms. Hatchwell,<BR/> <BR/>Ref. Touchdown No. 241. Pg.7<BR/> <BR/>Further to my last e-mail, I have now just received the current Touchdown, and been able to read your comments in detail, and in addition I would now like to make the following observation.<BR/> <BR/>You state that : " Few companies, if any ..... etc." This is not true. In the Airline World most major Flag Carriers grant concessions on retirement, many for life, in fact Qantas took the very reasonable approach of allowing their retirees to maintain what they had worked for, and been promised, but denied them the new benefits, rather then the Draconian approach that you have foisted upon us. <BR/> <BR/>I can't speak for others of course, but I would be happy to go along with the loss of lifetime travel providing I am allowed to start my countdown on 1st April - LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. I have no objection to present employees being granted better concessions, the World moves on, but don't spit on me to achieve your better benefits.<BR/> <BR/>It would have been interesting to see which approach a joint BA/QF airline would have taken, the BA way or the QF way. Of course that is of no consequence now. Sadly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-23103288276566629712009-01-01T09:21:00.000+00:002009-01-01T09:21:00.000+00:00So far I have refrained from commenting on this bl...So far I have refrained from commenting on this blog but the latest article in Touchdown from our Staff Travel manager is making me go to print. She says that it would be unfair to have some retired staff with travel for life and some without. A lot of staff who retired in the last few years might have stayed on longer if they had known about this scheme. If I had stayed another five years it would have given me travel until 90 instead of 80 as it now is. I cannot say if I will still be able or want to travel at 90 (or will still be around to enjoy it) but I might. I was not given the chance, unlike staff retiring now and in the future. Is that fair? And in any case this scheme is causing a two tier system as staff that retired after 1st December 2007 get a better deal than staff that retired prior to that date, is that fair? It is crafty that they are giving bookable concessions to current staff after only 5 years service, obviously to butter them up. There is no way they can say any more that it is a concession for long and loyal service. However if any current staff are reading this then remember that this could be the thin end of the wedge, what will they try and do next? Another go at pensions maybe?<BR/>The management staff who are implementing this scheme should remember two things :<BR/>1. If it was not for the efforts in previous years by the retired staff then they might not have a job with BA today. <BR/>2 One day they will also be retired staff, at the mercy of BA management plans. <BR/><BR/>I think most of us are by now fed up with seeing that well known phrase (Staff Travel is a non-contractual benefit etc) in every article written by staff travel management. It was always in staff travel regs, but was always considered to be there as a threat to staff who went on unofficial strike or misbehaved, not to kick retired staff in the face with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294964265423262625.post-82617845015688699272008-12-18T00:15:00.000+00:002008-12-18T00:15:00.000+00:00ANON saidWhat on earth is this Country coming too ...ANON said<BR/>What on earth is this Country coming too ! Years ago you were proud to say you worked for BA, why are they penalising the people who made them the airline they are today ! Who makes these decissions ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com