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Cabin crew union vows 'serious' battle with BA
Dick Murray, Transport Correspondent8 Oct 2009
British Airways is today heading for confrontation with the largest aviation union, increasing the risk of strikes in the run-up to Christmas.
Unite, which represents BA cabin crew, demanded the company withdraw plans to impose contractual changes -and job losses - by the middle of next month.
If not, said union bosses, BA risks "a serious, drawn-out confrontation with its workforce".
A BA spokeswoman said: "We are always available to talk with the trade unions but the changes we have announced will go ahead as planned."
BA wants to reduce its cabin crew workforce from 14,000 to 12,300 and to freeze basic pay and allowances for two years. Unite said under planned changes "working hours will be extended, crew levels will be slashed [and] career opportunities will disappear".
Steve Turner, Unite's national officer for aviation, said BA had told cabin crew they must accept these terms by 16 November or leave the company.
Unite accused BA of trying to introduce a second-tier workforce on poorer pay and conditions. New cabin crew could be paid as little as £14,000 compared with £20,000 plus now.
The BA spokeswoman said: "The changes we have announced will not alter contractual terms and conditions for individual members of existing crew."
Months of negotiations between BA and the unions to reduce costs - the airline lost £400 million last year - ended in failure.
Reader views (3)
It is true that BA hasn't told us to leave if we dont accept the new conditions. It has taken 9 motnhs becasue BA wasn't interested in reaching an agreement and they didn't turn up for the meetings. And I must also highlight that the UNION not only represents some of the cabin crew. They represent 12.000 cabin crew out of 14.000. I am very proud of they UNION and will support them 100% as my other 12.000 colleagues.
- Jorge, Brighton, England, 08/10/2009 20:45
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There are two union groups amongst LHR crew. One has 12000 members and the other has less than a hundred. Both are part of Unite. Dogs wag tails, not the other way around.
- Bill, London, UK, 08/10/2009 20:12
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Having stalled and blundered around for 9+ months, the union is in no position to now be demanding anything at all. BA have told me the new conditions that I will work under, but have NOT said I must leave if I don't accept them. That is just more scaremongering from the union. The 1000 that will leave are doing-so voluntarily, and with a payment. Many others will move to part-time contracts that they have been wanting for years. Unite represents SOME, but not ALL of us who work as Cabin Crew for BA. Those that are represented by unite, are in my opinion, represented very poorly.
- George, London, England, 08/10/2009 11:46
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