Aviation workers must not pay for volcano chaos with their jobs,
says Unite
20th April 2010
Union leads emergency debate on jobs threat
at the Scottish TUC conference
As UK airspace begins to open today (Tuesday) Unite, the biggest
union in UK aviation, is warning that workers must not be expected
to meet the costs of the disruption brought by the erupting
Icelandic volcano.
The issue will be the subject of an emergency debate at the
Scottish TUC conference when it meets today in Dundee, prompted by
Unite's growing concern that the grounded industry will need
large-scale assistance as it attempts to get back to full
operations in the days to come.
With the Cobra committee developing plans to repatriate UK
nationals home and airlines seeking emergency aid to bridge the
heavy financial losses incurred by grounded flights, Unite says
concerted action to save jobs right across aviation is needed
too.
Ahead of the STUC debate Brian Boyd, Unite national officer for
civil aviation said: "We fully recognise that the UK civil aviation
industry is facing an unprecedented situation and we are sensitive
to this, particularly in this tentative economic climate.
"But it is also important to recognise the impact on people
employed in this sector. As the skies re-open, standards of health
and safety in accordance with the National Air Traffic Service
(NATS) and Met Office instructions should be fully adhered to.
There are no short cuts to a safe working environment. Furthermore,
we urge that the employment conditions of the workforce are at the
heart of any financial assistance received to airlines.
"This is a time for all parties to work together - government,
employers and trade unions - to ensure a return to the skies where
the safety and welfare of aviation, passengers and employees is of
paramount importance."
The union, which represents 70,000 workers employed in the UK
sector, says workers may face increasing pressure to agree to
widespread cost-saving changes from an industry desperate to stem
huge losses racked up in the recent week. Unite fears that
some companies, particularly those in the ground services sector
who have been hit hardest by the five days of disruption, will look
to employees to cut costs, including asking them to take unpaid
leave, and that without government assistance jobs will be
lost.
Steve Turner, Unite national officer for civil aviation, warned
that Unite will not accept a situation where employees are asked to
pay the price with their jobs or wages: "Our members are growing
more anxious by the day about what any ongoing disruption will mean
for jobs as well as conditions of employment. We already know
of the worst of employers at major airports who are asking workers
to stay at home unpaid while others expect workers to take
leave.
"We understand the difficulties this extraordinary situation has
placed upon the sector but it is not acceptable to ask workers to
pay with their wages or their jobs. We expect the aviation
sector to back loyal, professional employees and look seriously at
meeting these employment costs during tough times. The unsung
heroes of aviation, its lowest paid, working under the wing to
provide essential services will not pay the price of another crisis
in the sector.
"Unpaid leave – unless voluntary – is not an acceptable option
for our members who have families to feed and homes to keep.
Should an employer seek to impose such a measure we will offer the
full support of this union to defend our members."
The union has also written to the secretary if state for
transport, Lord Adonis, to ask that he takes all possible steps to
alleviate the tremendous pressure on the industry, said to be
costing the sector some £130 million per day. Unite is clear,
however, that any support must deliver employment support for
vulnerable workers first and foremost, and that employers must also
seek to negotiate sensible solutions to current difficulties,
including;
- Suspend the use casual and/or agency labour.
- Make wider use of paid leave and the negotiated banking of
hours.
- Examine whether outstanding holiday entitlement can be brought
forward.
- Maintain the current rosters for all employees but use the
available time for training and employee development that has
fallen short during the recession.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle on 07976
832 861
To speak to Brian Boyd ahead of the STUC emergency debate,
please call 07880 796 347
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