That Shrinking Feeling
Here's what I wrote about the British Airways dispute back in January - my prediction has come true as the number of union members balloted falls below 10,000 - for the first time.
The union's position is growing weaker every time a strike is called - in the first ballot 12,780 voting papers were issued - a drop of almost 3,000 compared to this time round.
As Jimmy Reid once said: If Kamikaze pilots had a trade union, Arthur Scargill would be the perfect choice for leader.
Unite could do worse than to pause for thought - and reflect on his words.
"That Shrinking Feeling"
"British Airways cabin crew have again voted to for strike action - but does anybody remember what this dispute is about?
Originally, the workers were protesting about fewer staff being allocated to BA flights - but now it is about travel perks - so people are now planning more strikes in an effort to recover what was taken away - as a result of striking in the first place.
Confused?
Predictably, Unite - the union representing the cabin crew - have welcomed the strike vote.
"For the fourth time in 13 months, BA cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in support of their union and expressed their dissatisfaction with management behaviour," said Unite's leader Len McCluskey.
"Indeed, the turnout and the majority on this occasion are much greater than in the last ballot.Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees", McCluskey went on.
But BA say that Unite does not have "majority support" for strike action.
"Of our 13,500 crew, only 43% voted in favour of strike action in this ballot," the airline said.
"Unite has lost about 2,500 cabin crew members since this dispute started, as crew have voted with their feet. Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims.
"We urge Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which guarantees pay rises for the next two years and secures terms and conditions for our existing crew that are the best in the UK industry."
So who's right?
Well the truth is that BA cabin crew seem to be turning their backs on their union - many people say that Unite has lost control of the dispute.
In the latest ballot Unite members voted by a big majority (5,751 to 1,579) of 78.5% - in favour of more industrial action - with 10,220 members eligible to vote - a turnout of 72%.
But BA is pointing out - quite sensibly - that the workforce is actually 13,500 strong - and that those in favour of striking represent less than half of the total cabin crew.
If you look at the results of previous ballots - Unite's predicament becomes all too clear.
In the first ballot (December 2009) more than 90% voted in favour of strike action - on an 80% turn-out of the 12,780 ballot papers issued.
In the second ballot (February 2010) just over 80% backed strike action - based on an 80% turn-out of the 11,691 ballot papers issued.
An internal non-binding 'consultative' ballot (May 2010) claimed turnout of 71% - with 'around 81 per cent' voting to reject a peace deal.
Another consultative ballot (July 2010) resulted in a much poorer turnout - with only about half of the potential 11,000 valid cabin crew taking part - voting 3,419 to 1,686 to reject a peace deal.
Now the number of ballot papers being issued is now down to 10,220 - so it's clear that the workforce is voting with its feet - by leaving the union or deciding not to join in the first place.
And if the strikes continue - this trend will only get worse.
As Labour's Denis Healey was fond of saying - 'when you're in a hole, stop digging'.
Unite's leaders would do well to follow that advice - and negotiate an end to the dispute - because more strikes can only weaken the union's position."
The union's position is growing weaker every time a strike is called - in the first ballot 12,780 voting papers were issued - a drop of almost 3,000 compared to this time round.
As Jimmy Reid once said: If Kamikaze pilots had a trade union, Arthur Scargill would be the perfect choice for leader.
Unite could do worse than to pause for thought - and reflect on his words.
"That Shrinking Feeling"
"British Airways cabin crew have again voted to for strike action - but does anybody remember what this dispute is about?
Originally, the workers were protesting about fewer staff being allocated to BA flights - but now it is about travel perks - so people are now planning more strikes in an effort to recover what was taken away - as a result of striking in the first place.
Confused?
Predictably, Unite - the union representing the cabin crew - have welcomed the strike vote.
"For the fourth time in 13 months, BA cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in support of their union and expressed their dissatisfaction with management behaviour," said Unite's leader Len McCluskey.
"Indeed, the turnout and the majority on this occasion are much greater than in the last ballot.Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees", McCluskey went on.
But BA say that Unite does not have "majority support" for strike action.
"Of our 13,500 crew, only 43% voted in favour of strike action in this ballot," the airline said.
"Unite has lost about 2,500 cabin crew members since this dispute started, as crew have voted with their feet. Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims.
"We urge Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which guarantees pay rises for the next two years and secures terms and conditions for our existing crew that are the best in the UK industry."
So who's right?
Well the truth is that BA cabin crew seem to be turning their backs on their union - many people say that Unite has lost control of the dispute.
In the latest ballot Unite members voted by a big majority (5,751 to 1,579) of 78.5% - in favour of more industrial action - with 10,220 members eligible to vote - a turnout of 72%.
But BA is pointing out - quite sensibly - that the workforce is actually 13,500 strong - and that those in favour of striking represent less than half of the total cabin crew.
If you look at the results of previous ballots - Unite's predicament becomes all too clear.
In the first ballot (December 2009) more than 90% voted in favour of strike action - on an 80% turn-out of the 12,780 ballot papers issued.
In the second ballot (February 2010) just over 80% backed strike action - based on an 80% turn-out of the 11,691 ballot papers issued.
An internal non-binding 'consultative' ballot (May 2010) claimed turnout of 71% - with 'around 81 per cent' voting to reject a peace deal.
Another consultative ballot (July 2010) resulted in a much poorer turnout - with only about half of the potential 11,000 valid cabin crew taking part - voting 3,419 to 1,686 to reject a peace deal.
Now the number of ballot papers being issued is now down to 10,220 - so it's clear that the workforce is voting with its feet - by leaving the union or deciding not to join in the first place.
And if the strikes continue - this trend will only get worse.
As Labour's Denis Healey was fond of saying - 'when you're in a hole, stop digging'.
Unite's leaders would do well to follow that advice - and negotiate an end to the dispute - because more strikes can only weaken the union's position."
