One Fired, Two Others Suspended

As part of ongoing disciplinary actions over a crippling strike among ground workers at London's Heathrow Airport back in August, British Airways reported Thursday it has fired one of three employees the airlines says helped organize the strike.

One employee was dismissed for what the airline termed "gross misconduct for playing a leading role in the walkout", while suspending a second without pay for a month and continuing disciplinary action against the third, according to Forbes. The third worker is also suspended, but at the moment still receives a paycheck from the carrier.

The three workers, who were not identified, are shop stewards for the Transport and General Workers' Union. Tony Woodley, the union's general secretary, said the union was "surprised and disappointed with these decisions."

British Airways started disciplinary action against the three workers on Sept. 21 after about 1,000 employees stopped work for two days this past summer to show support for 670 fellow union members at caterer Gate Gourmet. As was reported on Aero-News, the work stoppage halted 900 flights, stranded over 100,000 passengers and cost the airline as much as $80 million before employees returned to work.

The affected employees have the right to appeal any decisions the airline reaches, according to British Airways.

FMI: www.britishairways.com, www.tgwu.org.uk