As strike looms, British Airways launches Twitter charm offensive
Strikes by British Airways employees famously cause chaos. Think back to this Christmas and in August, 2005. (There are more examples, no doubt.) But this time, BA seems much better prepared, finding replacement staff and pumping out updates this weekend on its web site, plus the BA Twitter and YouTube feeds. Will it survive this work stoppage unscathed?
CEO Willie Walsh says he’ll stake his “personal reputation” on keeping flights running as smoothly as possible, though he acknowledges delays and cancellations are inevitable starting next weekend, particularly if you’re flying out of Gatwick. In the same YouTube video, he goes on the attack, pointing the finger at the union, Unite, for “yet again” choosing to “disrupt the travel plans of all our customers.” The commenters are not happy, but they seem more angry with Unite, as one viewer writes:
I recognise the Union’s perspective but I can’t agree with their methods — it’s a total arse to? have to go and swap to another airline in order to get certainty.
And what’s Unite’s response? It too has been ratcheting up its social media charm offensive of late. But there’s little charm. The Unite Twitter feed is arrogantly ignoring Tweeter’s comments and concerns about the strike action. Not a single response is to be found on its feed. And its Facebook page? Good luck finding it. There’s no link, just this unhelpful instruction on its site:
If you are already registered on Facebook just type ‘Unite’ into the search tool to find us. If not visit http://www.facebook.com/ and join for free.
Go ahead. Type in “Unite” on Facebook.
This battle has not yet begun, but BA is winning some early points with its responsiveness. As such, a #backingBA hash-tag conversation has begun. One Tweeter lets fly:
Unite union is a joke. Can’t believe crew have faith in their leadership. Hope Willie doesn’t back down for British Airways sake.
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[...] reported in March how BA deployed an effective social media charm offensive, using YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, to sway public opinion it its favor during the acrimonious [...]
I would like to congratulate Willie and th Board for standing up to both the Cabin staff and the Unite Union. Willie is unfortunealey paying the price for previous management teams within the company not having the balls to face the cabin staff out when threatned with industrial action,the last such gentleman Bob Ailing
Back in the fifties it was the Engineers whoused to try and hold the airline to ransom it took a ery strong Engineerind diector to stand up to them, he meet with them as a group advised thm of the position as he saw it addin if you don’t wish to work for the airline then go on strike there will be no job for you after you walk out of this hangar, he ave them several days to either phone in and rejoin the company, failing to do so in the timescale we would assume that they had resigned within afew days majority had siged back on. Obviously there were time later when disagreements would happen but never push beyond the point of no return.
I hope Willie will
1) Cabin staff employed outside London requiring travel facilties to meet their work commitment
be given back this perk for these journy’s only
2) When they walk out on Monday don’t allow thembackuntil the final day of there strike, this would mean having to pay them basic money for the days they have made themselves availabe
This would allow BA to provide a constant contigency plan which could be understood by the public and helpn allow them plan their trips.
I don’t believe they could claim this as a lockout and could save BA having to pay allowances.
Good Luck Willie and the British Airways Board and Investors
Mike: I can see all your points, but do you not think the power of the union has an important place in the workforce?
Francis
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