Unite statement on British Airways ballot
8 February 2011
From Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite the union:
"British Airways cabin crew voted last month overwhelmingly, and
for the third time, to take industrial action against their
employer on a number of issues relating to the company’s conduct of
industrial relations.
"It was further proof, if proof were needed, of the fact that
management at this blue chip British company has completely lost
the trust of thousands of their key staff – loyal, professional and
customer-facing. In announcing the ballot result, Unite
immediately appealed to management to meet the union for
negotiations to resolve the outstanding issues which could have
avoided any further disruption to the airline’s operations.
"Since then, Unite has not heard a word from the company.
There has not been the slightest flicker of interest from BA in
holding talks to address the concerns of its own employees.
"Instead, BA has launched a legal blitz against the independent
scrutineer used to conduct this ballot, the Electoral Reform
Society. This doubtless reflects BA’s decision to place its
chief legal officer in charge of employee relations. While not
addressing the union directly, BA advised the ERS that the ballot
was unlawful and that any industrial action taken on the basis of
it would be unprotected. This is merely an assertion by BA –
however, the ERS decided, on the basis of protecting its own legal
position, to issue a qualification in its official report on the
industrial action ballot. Unite therefore cannot call
industrial action based on this ballot, since such a move would
expose our members to sanctions by a bullying employer.
"However, if BA management believes that it can secure
industrial harmony by these methods it is living in a fools’
paradise. Only negotiation, not litigation or intimidation,
can place industrial relations on a sound footing and start to heal
the wounds caused by this dispute.
"BA cabin crew have repeatedly shown that they will not be
browbeaten by bullying and legal intimidation. Unite is
therefore immediately setting in hand preparations for a further
industrial action ballot on the issues arising from management’s
breach of agreements and policies of industrial intimidation,
including amongst others the withdrawal of staff travel
concessions, unjustified and draconian disciplinary sanctions
against representatives and other members, the employment of
strike-breaking cabin crew on different terms and conditions, the
introduction of a new “mixed fleet” of crew again on different
terms, and the intention to degrade union representation
arrangements among cabin crew.
"Failing a willingness by BA management to take its employment
relations seriously and start negotiating, we would anticipate
giving the company formal notice of this fresh ballot within the
next ten days or so. BA management needs to understand that
it will never break the spirit of cabin crew, and that customer
uncertainty and confusion will continue until it starts listening
to its staff."
ENDS
For further information please call Pauline Doyle on 07976 832
861
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