Sun, Nov 08, 2009
Airline Wants Two Year Wage Freeze, Other Changes
Unite, the union which represents most of the 14,000 British
Airways cabin crew workers, says negotiations with the airline have
stalled, and that it is mulling the possibility of a strike.
The union leadership met Monday at Sandown Park Racecourse in
Surrey to discuss a possible labor action.
Air Travel, Travel Management reports that Unite's joint general
secretary Derek Simpson, said: "BA management's determination to
impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no
alternative."
Unite also said it plans legal action against the airline over
the imposition of new contracts and changes in crew levels for
aircraft.
The airline posted a $653 million loss for last year. It has
been in negotiations with Unite and another union, GMB, proposing
to make some 1,700 staff positions redundant. The airline wants a
two year wage freeze, and a cut in long-haul cabin crew from 15 to
14. The airline said about 1,000 flight attendants chose to leave
the company voluntarily, and another 3,000 chose to work part
time.
BA said in a statement: "We have put together a package of
changes, which despite the unprecedented financial circumstances
facing the company, not only protects current cabin crew but also
offers many new benefits. We have made it clear that there will be
no change to the individual terms and conditions of our current
crew. They will not take a pay cut. In fact some 75% of crew will
receive a pay scale increase worth between two and seven per cent
this year and again next year."
Unite said the changes would involve significant contractual
changes for remaining employees and introduce "a second tier
workforce on poorer pay and conditions". BA says it's
proposed wages and benefits for new hires is above the market
rate.
The High Court hearing on the lawsuit is set for Thursday,
November 5th. No official strike ballot has been opened by the
Union.
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