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• Unite to challenge BA decision to remove striking cabin crew’s travel concessions
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• Unite statement on British Airways offer
• BA Cabin crew ballot halted
• New ballot of cabin crew begins at British Airways
• Shock findings confirm culture of bullying rife at British Airways
• British Airways cabin crew ballot result
• Unite statement on British Airways ballot

BA Cabin crew ballot halted

11 November 2010

In a statement today (Thursday) to Unite's cabin crew members at British Airways, Tony Woodley, the union's joint general secretary, said: "From the outset of this dispute, Unite has endeavoured, under the guidance of cabin crew representatives, to negotiate a settlement that would be acceptable to our members and address their real concerns.  It has been made clear on many occasions that Unite and I personally will not under any circumstances recommend to our cabin crew members any offer that was not also recommended by our elected representatives.

"Shortly after this latest offer was negotiated, including as it does significant modifications of BA’s previous position in relation to staff travel and discipline, it was reluctantly agreed at a meeting of cabin crew representatives that it be recommended.  This was in order to ensure that the offer could go out to a ballot, giving the members a chance to express their views, since British Airways had made a positive recommendation from all parts of Unite involved in the dispute a precondition for the eventual full restoration of the staff travel concessions unjustifiably withdrawn from crew who took lawful industrial action.

"Our cabin crew representatives have, on reflection, decided that they can no longer support a recommendation of this offer to the membership, even in the heavily qualified terms originally agreed, and have so advised cabin crew.  Accordingly, the union will no longer make such a recommendation.  Any sense that this offer is being presented to cabin crew over the heads of unwilling representatives would be deeply damaging to the union and its members above all.  Our unity has been a vital source of strength throughout this dispute.

"Under these circumstances, I have suspended the ballot on the offer and will meet with all of our cabin crew representatives as a matter of urgency to consider the next steps. Our representatives will determine what course of action should be followed in order to secure an offer that can be recommended to the members, who will ultimately decide when this dispute can be settled."

ENDS

For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861