Views on the news: BA strikes, jobless figures and death of the chequebook

The now cancelled British Airways strike had commenters working over time this week, while unemployment figures were greeted with scepticism

A victory for common sense, or blow a for democracy? One thing is sure, British Airways would struggle to lay claim to being the "World's favourite airline" this week, even after ending it on a high note after the high court blocked a 12-day Christmas walkout by cabin crew.

Yet hopefulcyclist, was one of many to point out that the numbers on the strike ballot thrown out by the court still didn't add up: "What are the numbers here? 92% (of all eligible to vote or all who actually voted?) backed a strike.

"There are 12,000 members involved of which 900 have already been given redundancy notice.

"So, unless the turnout was below 20% there is still a clear, indeed overwhelming majority on favour of striking. I think a strike would be suicidal, but that is their democratic right."

"Yes, but it renders the poll null and void because it was essentially illegal," said climberdave. "Hence the legal challenge. When these labour laws were drawn up they were made with a set of rules which both sides had to abide to in order for the whole system to work. If you don't follow those rules then it doesn't count."

However, since the strike was first announced on Monday, the thing that has troubled bloggers the most is the struggle to weigh up their support for workers' rights, versus the wider implications of the action.

Sleepyfingers summed up the mood: "Normally I would instinctively side with the unions in any dispute, but seeing as BA aren't in the rudest of health and have a declining reputation, large numbers of people are out of work and we're in the middle of a serious depression, striking at this moment over anything can do nothing but harm.

"They can strike anytime they like, but why pick the most emotionally charged time of year to do it? A cancelled holiday can be rescheduled, Christmas can't."

There were many though, such as passy777, who had no sympathy for crew all along, writing: "Seems like the turkeys have voted for Christmas!"

"You've just hastened BA's demise, morons, surely less pension is better than zero pension?" added Hooloovoo.

That is not to say there was much goodwill for British Airways either. Indeed an appeal by chief executive Willie Walsh ahead of the court ruling, urging Unite to talk further, elicited the following response from iruka: "Mr. Walsh, you've spent 30 years working your way through the ranks, and today are the CEO of an iconic major corporation. On this evidence alone I'd say we have to take it as given that you're a man of no moral substance whatsoever, and that your description of the situation bears little meaningful resemblance to the truth."

Many could not help linking the ongoing saga with the news that thousands were stranded after Scottish airline Flyglobespan went bust.

Slobloch, for example, posed the question: "How long before the same headline for British Airways?"

After the ruling against the ballot on Thursday, 7chippy predicted that it is not over yet: "I think this will be a pyrrhic victory for BA. They have won a ruling by a technicality and have not resolved any of the issues. My guess is that a virulent flu bug will hit BA cabin crew next week."

While toekneenose had a conundrum: "Planning a trip abroad in the new year, and wondering which airline to book with – the one with threatened impending strike action by cabin crew, or the one without.


"BA Humbug," summed up dcspanner.

Elsewhere, there was little sign of festive high spirits either. Indeed, figures showing UK unemployment has jumped by its biggest amount since spring last year, were roundly dismissed by many as no reason for cheering.

"Call me a cynic but I'm deeply suspicious of these figures," wrote economicwar.

"Claims are down but unemployment is still up," said Koolio. "The UK has a very flexible labour market so it's normal for jobs to be created as quickly as they were destroyed."

"Blinkers are very in this season," said sparrow13.

And of course, like a certain airline, banks and bankers remain very out this season. Take the news that the 300-year old tradition of paying by cheque is on the way out.

"If the banks want it then I am against it," said Erdington.

"So what if under 20s have never heard of a cheque, the people that do use them want to keep them around, it's those people's voices that ought to count the most," added whatwedoissecret.

"Most under 20s have never heard of the vote either, doesn't mean we should get rid of it..." reasoned CaptSensible.

Hmmm mused dh48. "So having had it drummed into us for several years now that for the sake of security we must NEVER give anyone our bank details, and must shred every piece of paper we possess which has those details on it, we are now going to have to...

"... give everyone our bank details."

News that Dubai has received a $10bn bailout from Abu Dhabi did not go down well either.

"So the super-rich bail out the (nearly) super-rich, while the rest of us work harder for less," wrote delphinia. "I can't find the words to express my disgust at this whole vilely wasteful extravaganza."

It is not enough, said GolemXIV. "That money is stalling money.

"Dubai also owe Japanese contractors somewhere between $4 and $15B in unpaid work on the Metro system. That's on top of what the papers here have talked about and in addition to the delinquent debts of Dubai's energy companies (those which produce electricity).

"Recovery? Oh, you bet!"

It's not looking too good anywhere, according to publunch: "Scheduled shutdowns, strikes, bankruptcy, winter weather, security problems,

"I'm not travelling further than I can walk until spring."

Only 'til spring? Will that be long enough? Keep them coming.