Board logo

Make sure you are reliable for Stoneleigh
Davegtst - 16/4/10 at 09:21 AM

Just incase you didn't know about this, you may be left stranded somewhere. Hopefully it won't come to a strike but don't believe the bit about a good number will work and nobody will be left stranded at the roadside, it's bull.

AA Strike

[Edited on 16/4/10 by Davegtst]

Rek - 16/4/10 at 09:24 AM

Ive just changed from green flag to the AA last weekend.....

r1_pete - 16/4/10 at 09:27 AM

Its happening all over, my company has just screwed us over, closing the final salary pension scheme and forcing us in to money purchase cons!

skinned knuckles - 16/4/10 at 09:28 AM

very foolish move by AA staff. there is too much competition out there, i am due to renew with the AA next month but that wont be happening now. i think i will not be alone

Davegtst - 16/4/10 at 09:31 AM

If you knew exactly what has happened within the company over the last few years and what they are doing now you wouldn't be saying that. A strike is the last resort and the majority of staff don't want to but will if they have to. This can easily be stopped.

Lars - 16/4/10 at 09:38 AM

tbh final salary schemes cost companies an arm and a leg (if they had it). They are very rare now in private companies.
Really mostly available in the public sector, and I would not be surprised if they disappeared soon there.

r1_pete - 16/4/10 at 09:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Lars
tbh final salary schemes cost companies an arm and a leg (if they had it). They are very rare now in private companies.
Really mostly available in the public sector, and I would not be surprised if they disappeared soon there.


Yes but when you sign a contract of employment which includes a final salary pension, then the company close it, it is a change is T&C / Contract which you the employee has no choice but to accept.

It is wrong, I took a lower paid job, back in the 1980's IT boom, because the company offered final salary pension. Have caught up salary wise, and been outsourced under TUPE.

I work for a cash rich company, and closing the FSP, is just another way of increasing the shareholder dividend. They could well afford to keep the system going for existing members, but, the bandwagon on closing FSP's is well established and rolling, so they can jump on and not be noticed.....

skinned knuckles - 16/4/10 at 09:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Davegtst
If you knew exactly what has happened within the company over the last few years and what they are doing now you wouldn't be saying that. A strike is the last resort and the majority of staff don't want to but will if they have to. This can easily be stopped.


i am not saying i dont sympathise with the staff, but strike action rerely does anyone any good. these are hard times for loads of people and in terms of continued job security this is a terriblr move. when someone is looking for a breakdown recovery service they pick one the they know will be on hand if things go wrong.

if the AA dont back down on the pension scheme , will this be the only strike? i think not. The timing is dispicable, using one of the busiest weekends of the year on the roads, causing potential misery to anyone who breaks down and to anyone who is unfortunate enough to be stuck behind them. if the majority of staff don't want it, then how was the vote to strike passed?

it had been timed to cause the biggest impact to the customers, who are the ones who's hard earned cash funds the entire organisation and pays their wages.

the AA management team arent trying to p155 off every member of staff for the fun of it.

Lars - 16/4/10 at 10:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
quote:
Originally posted by Lars
tbh final salary schemes cost companies an arm and a leg (if they had it). They are very rare now in private companies.
Really mostly available in the public sector, and I would not be surprised if they disappeared soon there.


Yes but when you sign a contract of employment which includes a final salary pension, then the company close it, it is a change is T&C / Contract which you the employee has no choice but to accept.

It is wrong, I took a lower paid job, back in the 1980's IT boom, because the company offered final salary pension. Have caught up salary wise, and been outsourced under TUPE.

I work for a cash rich company, and closing the FSP, is just another way of increasing the shareholder dividend. They could well afford to keep the system going for existing members, but, the bandwagon on closing FSP's is well established and rolling, so they can jump on and not be noticed.....



Pete, Sorry, I did not mean to imply that just closing them is right.
Just stating the facts of why they are closing, which is probably obvious anyway.

I wish I had a FSP.

r1_pete - 16/4/10 at 11:09 AM

I think we are agreeing Lars.

I'd support anyone who is fighting for their pension rights, it is vitally important.

chris_harris_ - 16/4/10 at 01:06 PM

It is true that some people within the public sectior,ie NHS have final year salary pensions, but a few years ago all new staff did not get this option and its worked out some other way,meaning far less pension.

wholly agree that people should fight for their pension rights,and indeed plan alternatives as well. its not far away that we won't get styate pensions either, and i can certainly see poverty amongst pensionsers increasing dramatically in our lifetime!

The problem with strike action is it really damages the reputation of the company, and whilst i understand that this is partly the aim, it can be hugely detrimental to the employees, as lost profits inevitably means lost jobs.

Good luck to the AA staff but i do not see this helping really.

just my opinion of course.

Davegtst - 16/4/10 at 03:25 PM

I agree it does not help but i do believe it's the last resort. As i said hopefully it won't come to it but i have a feeling it has gone too far already.

Davegtst - 23/4/10 at 05:28 PM

Strikes off, for now. Not that i care too much now i quit my job yesterday woohoo.