Unite calls for early warnings for employees as another airline
goes bust
12 September 2008
Unite, Britain's biggest union, today condemned the secrecy
surrounding the plight of airlines, such as XL, who are caught in
the worsening situation within the civil aviation industry.
Unite National Officer, Brian Boyd, said: “Airlines that are
struggling in the present climate are treating their workforce and
the trade unions representing them with contempt. As recently as
this week, representatives from Unite were discussing a wage claim
with XL. It is appalling that employees have been left to hear of
their fate through the media. Given the difficulties that aviation
workers are facing today to hide the plight of the business from
its employees is a disgrace.
“Unite understand the difficult operating conditions many
airlines find themselves in, particularly with fuel running at $100
a barrel, and the ever increasing competition for passengers.”
Unite the Union represents hundreds of workers at XL and will
now start, the now common trail of pursuing the bankrupt company
for redundancy payments for its members. Unite will also be seeking
urgent discussions with company officials on the future for XL
employees.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact Ashraf Choudhury in the
Unite Press Office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761.
