Unite praises cabin crew’s dignity but asks BA what has it got
to hide?
9 June 2010
Addressing BA cabin crew members on the final day of the 22-day
strike by British Airways’ cabin crew, Unite assistant general
secretary Len McCluskey vowed that the fight for justice at the
airline will go on.
Unite is to begin a fresh ballot of crew members and says that
preparations are now at an advanced stage.
Len McCluskey told crew that the blame for the continuing
instability at the airline must be placed firmly at the door of BA
management's "tough guy" stance. When agreement on the fundamental
cost-down issues was reached between both sides some weeks back,
this dispute should have been settled.
Len McCluskey said: "Comments about ’holding out‘ for as
long as it takes against the workforce should cause despair among
BA’s board and shareholders. While Unite views this as a
process where both parties must compromise, BA's CEO prefers to see
this as a siege against his own workforce.
"This bunker mentality suggests that the true objective is not
cutting costs, but crushing the workforce.
"Talking tough will not help find peace."
Unite also says the City must scrutinise the airline's claims
about its strike-breaking operation more carefully.
Added Len McCluskey: "The question shareholders and the City
must ask themselves is, not how many planes took off, but how many
passengers actually flew on BA flights? Planes were empty because
passengers were enjoying the hospitality of competitors - and BA
paid them for the privilege. The jewel in BA's crown,
Terminal 5, has taken a heavy hit as there are no passengers to
enjoy the shops and restaurants. And forward bookings are taking a
huge hit as passengers reject Willie Walsh's vision for BA.
"This is not successful contingency planning, this is
ruination.
"If BA had nothing to hide, then it should throw open its books
and show exactly what this dispute has cost. The City must
wise up to the BA con trick." he added.
Praising the thousands of cabin crew who took strike action, Len
McCluskey continued: "The intimidation crew have faced has been
unprecedented, yet over 22 days they have stood tall and remained
dignified. They can go back to work with their heads held
high. They may be bullied but they will never be bowed by
BA."
Cabin crew are due back at work tomorrow (Thursday), but with BA
steadfastly impeding a solution by punishing strikers Unite expects
to announce a fresh ballot of the 12,000-strong cabin crew
shortly.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle on 07976
832 861
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