'This is Britain, not Burma' Unite tells Willie Walsh
20th March 2010
As thousands of BA cabin crew walk out in their fight against
the driving down of pay and standards at the airline, Unite the
union has denounced BA's fear culture - and demanded that the
company remove the gag stopping crew speaking about the
dispute.
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, said: "Our
challenge to Willie Walsh is that he needs to let his cabin crew
speak publicly about the real cause of this dispute.
"Decent men and women are terrified about speaking out about this
fight for their futures for fear of reprisals.
"Isn't Willie Walsh ashamed that his employees are having to
speak with their backs to TV cameras and their voices distorted?
That stewardesses are covering their faces going into meetings to
avoid identification?
"This is not just bad industrial relations it's an offence
against democracy. Willie Walsh should remember this is
Britain not Burma."
Cabin crew - striking for the first time in 13 years - are
extremely fearful of reprisals from BA's management for taking part
in lawful industrial action, fear that has built up as a war waged
against crew has seen 38 face disciplinary charges. Willie Walsh
has also vowed to remove travel benefits from striking crew, a move
that will hit the one in three crew who commute to work at Heathrow
from around the UK.
Crew on strike have gathered at Bedfont FC, Hatton Cross during
the three day stoppage.
ENDS
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