Unite says guarantee jobs and standards or it cannot back BA
merger with Iberia
13th November 2009
Unite, the UK's biggest union in aviation, has today (Friday)
warned that it will not back the merger of British Airways and
Iberia unless commitments are given to avoid compulsory
redundancies, and that passenger service standards will be of the
highest possible quality.
The union has written to British Airways' CEO Willie Walsh to
urge that the airline's workforce and service standards are not
swept aside in the rush to conclude the merger with Iberia.
Fearing that the merger will mean significant job losses as both
airlines seek to streamline shared functions, Unite is asking for
guarantees from BA specifically that core UK-based services such as
customer service, engineering, maintenance and cabin crew will be
protected.
Unite also wants assurances that BA's industry-acknowledged high
standards of service will set the benchmark for passenger service
within the merged airline, and that BA will retain Heathrow as its
hub of operation, supported by Gatwick, and preserve all current
terms and conditions of employment and negotiating structures
Steve Turner, Unite national officer for civil aviation, said
that the unions in both countries are working closely to ensure the
workforce is not sidelined in the merger process: "We need
assurances from the outset from British Airways and Iberia that
compulsory redundancies will be avoided and that the new airline
will be the best in the business in terms of passenger service. It
is imperative that both companies sit down as soon as possible with
the unions here and in Spain to discuss how jobs and standards can
be safeguarded.
"Our continued support for this project, as well as the
stability we are all seeking to bring to British Airways at this
current time, are dependent upon a satisfactory agreement being
reached between us and both companies."
Brian Boyd, Unite national officer for civil aviation, added:
"The merger between BA and Iberia may be welcomed in the City,
however, once again, the people who make BA a success - its
workforce, are the last to know. The opportunity for these two
major airlines to streamline their business will in all probability
mean job insecurity for both BA and Iberia employees. Cost savings
are one of the main drivers in the current trend for mergers within
the aviation industry which is why Unite views the news of this
merger with extreme caution.
"The possibility of shared engineering resources, lower levels
of customer service and ground staffing requirements, and further
attempts to fit cabin crew staff into a new business model could
serve to compound the existing industrial relations difficulties
within BA and Iberia. Unite will be seeking an early meeting with
BA to explore the possible consequences of this major
development.
"Unite has requested an urgent meeting with Willie Walsh to
discuss the timetable and workforce implications of the merger with
Iberia."
ENDS
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