Protecting employees’ pay and employment conditions will be top
priority in BAA airport sell-off, says Unite
19 July 2011
Protecting airport workers’ terms and conditions, and pension
rights will be the top priority for Unite, the largest union in the
country, as BAA is forced to sell-off two more of its airports.
The Competition Commission has, in its final ruling, said that
airport operator BAA must sell Stansted and either Glasgow or
Edinburgh airports.
Unite National Officer for Civil Air Transport, Brendan Gold
said: ‘Today’s news is just confirming the original Competition
Commission ruling. However, Unite has always been opposed to the
forced sell-off of BAA's airports to other operators as we believe
it poses an increased threat to our members’ terms and conditions
in the long-term.’
‘Unite’s role must be to protect the terms and conditions of its
members, and also their pension rights and entitlements.’
‘Any attempt by a new owner taking over BAA’s airports to undermine
our members’ conditions will be strongly resisted. However, we are
keen, as a responsible trade union, to have a positive dialogue and
constructive working relationship with the new owners, whoever they
are.’
In March 2009, the commission told BAA to sell Gatwick and
Stansted airports and either Edinburgh or Glasgow. BAA has already
sold Gatwick, but challenged the decision to sell the other
ones.
-ends-
Note to news editors:
For further information, please contact Unite communications
officer, Shaun Noble on 07768 693940
