employer, triggered by, or focused on, a particular event, for example, frustration over pay negotiations. So it was for BALPA in 2019, when we had determined teams of reps in all airlines looking for good pay deals for members being faced with often intractable management. In two companies – CHC Helicopters and Flybmi – the threat of industrial action enabled us to hold more meaningful pay negotiations that led to agreements accepted by our members. This was not the case in either Ryanair or BA. The how The process of taking industrial action is widely regarded as more difficult in the UK than in any other country (with the exception of those countries where it is outlawed). We have the most difficult legal framework; we have the most hostile media; the UK has a in-built conservatism that militates against direct confrontation. Add to that the typical aggression of airlines towards dissent and the natural individualism of pilots, it is not surprising that BALPA has rarely been involved in strike action – and when we are, it is with very careful governance. As a situation moves towards potential industrial action, our Company Council and its full-time BALPA National Officer will involve me as the General Secretary to try to resolve the situation. It will also report to the BALPA Industrial Relations Committee for advice and, if necessary, for authority to hold a poll – an indicative ballot – among members to see if they would be prepared to support action. They will also begin preparations with BALPA’s legal team, and we start ‘cleansing’ the membership database to ensure all the information we hold is correct. Not having the correct information can lead to difficulties later on (see page 17 for the legal challenges). These are crucial steps, given the propensity of airlines to challenge any industrial action ballot on any pretext they can. IT’S BEEN A YEAR OF BALPA MEMBERS SAYING ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’ AND TAKING THE ULTIMATE STEP OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION If the negotiations remain unresolved and the Company Council and members want to pursue their demands through industrial action, then the BALPA National Executive Council can – after carrying out due diligence on all preparations – authorise a formal industrial action ballot. At this point, the dispute will also become public, so a communications plan is essential. It also means that ACAS automatically contacts the parties to offer conciliation. The what BALPA conducted BA and Ryanair’s strike ballots in the summer. The extensive work that went into preparing for these paid off as, predictably, both airlines sought to injunct those ballots in the High Court, with BA going on to the Court of Appeal having lost in the High Court. Stating the obvious, these legal challenges stall any negotiations, worsen the mood and make industrial action more likely, not less. During the strike action, BALPA established strike centres near bases for members to attend on those days. There were incredible levels of pilot unity and solidarity against their airlines with, for me, one consistently used word summing up why everyone was there: ‘respect’. In a cynical industry, it is clearly time for a shift in management ethos. The reactions of BA and Ryanair showed exactly why ‘respect’ was the key message. Both airlines punished strikers through excessive pay deductions and the removal of travel benefits. For the Company Council reps, supported by BALPA staff, the sheer hard work of building membership unity through meetings and newsletters, and answering emails while taking the flak from the company, should not be underestimated. This summer, we have seen that take its toll on some reps. To add to this pressure on the reps, as well as the wider membership, all of this takes place under much scrutiny from the public. The media circus can be incredibly difficult to manage, and the outrageous tone of some coverage only serves to whip up public anger further. This sort of negative coverage can have a detrimental effect on our members, who saw themselves unfairly vilified in the national media. It is something for which we have to be prepared, and the professional PR verdict was that BALPA more than held its own. The now Ryanair has, for the first time, started negotiations with BALPA on pay, and those are ongoing; BALPA has authorised legal action against Ryanair over its treatment of strikers. BA and BALPA held further talks at ACAS, resulting in new proposals that are currently being discussed. These include the potential resolution of unfair strike pay deductions and travel benefits. The formal industrial action disputes are still live, although no further strikes have been set. The situation in both airlines remains tense and uneasy. Whatever the final outcome in Ryanair and BA, it will be a long time before the 2019 summer of discontent is forgotten. Since finalising the magazine, British Airways pilots have voted to settle the pay dispute. Members voted nearly nine to one to accept the final agreement, which was proposed by ACAS and recommended by BALPA and its BA reps. What a year it has been! 2019 saw BALPA’s industrial resolve pushed to the limits, holding three industrial action ballots leading to strikes in two airlines – Ryanair and British Airways – and a fourth airline ballot still live from the end of 2018. With blatant management reprisals, high-profile court cases and intense media scrutiny – as well as high pressure and many sleepless nights for our reps and staff – it’s been a year of BALPA members saying ‘enough is enough’ and taking the ultimate step of industrial action. At the time of writing, BALPA is still in dispute, so keep an eye out for updates in newsletters and On The Radar. The why In my vast experience gained over the years, industrial action usually has an underlying cause of a general breakdown in the relationship between employees and their 2019: By Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary A YEAR OF ACTION We take a look back at an extraordinary year for BALPA’s industrial negotiations INDUSTRIAL British Airways cancels flights for 200,000 passengers as pilots strike Ryanair and Balpa dispute impact of latest pilot strike 2019: INDUSTRIAL 2019: A YEAR OF ACTION INDUSTRIAL 2019: A YEAR OF ACTION We take a look back at an extraordinary year for BALPA’s industrial negotiations INDUSTRIAL 2019: By Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary A YEAR OF ACTION We take a look back at an extraordinary year for BALPA’s industrial negotiations INDUSTRIAL