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From: Unite the union [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Unite the union
Sent: 16 March 2010 15:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: British Airways - the truth
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British Airways - the truth[image: Blocked image]
Unite cabin crew members at British Airways are now days away from strike
action. Much of the media has portrayed the crew as overpaid, underworked
and prepared to bring BA down to its knees. Nothing can be further from the
truth.
The last thing BA crew want to do is to go on strike. In fact, the crew are
preparing to take industrial action as a last resort because they care so
much about BA and want the airline to have a future as a premier carrier.
In November 2009, BA imposed changes that cut over 1,000 crew members from
flights, cuts that cabin crew believe have been a disaster for the on-board
service quality. BA's European flights have seen 25 per cent reductions in
crew numbers and on long-haul flights crew compliments have seen reductions
of between 1 and 3.
Unite crew members realise that BA is operating in tough financial
conditions. That's why they offered the airline £62m in savings - the same
amount BA has saved by removing cabin crew from flights. Crew were prepared
to compromise on crew numbers, take a pay cut, and take cuts in their terms
and conditions. But no matter how much the union offered, BA simply refused
to accept. Unite believes that all along BA was merely playing lip-service
to the negotiating process. We believe that BA has another agenda entirely -
smashing the collective voice of cabin crew.
BA's management is becoming increasingly macho. Under Willie Walsh's
leadership the company has undertaken a range of union busting tactics. Most
of the crew's local union leaders are either suspended or awaiting
disciplinaries. A further 30 union members have been suspended on spurious
grounds. Staff are living in fear of who could be next. BA has also spent
months encouraging other BA staff to help break the strike by training up as
cabin crew.
BA has threatened to remove the travel concessions from any crew member who
goes on strike - this is a particularly vindictive move when around one
third of crew use it to commute to work.
The way forward
Unite and its members did not want this strike. But we have been left with
no option because management will not listen.
We are, however, ready to resume talks at any time. Crew are prepared to
offer compromise and flexibility.
This dispute can only be avoided if BA is prepared to make a serious attempt
to finding a negotiated settlement. It could start by putting the offer the
airline made last week back on the table so that Unite could give members
the right to accept or reject BA's proposal. Unite is prepared to halt the
strike while members are consulted and will stand by crew's decision. The
ball is clearly in BA's court.
You can help
As usual in industrial disputes, some media and politicians are taking the
side of the employer ignoring the genuine concerns of workers. You can help
get BA crew's message to a wider audience by forwarding this email to a
friend. Check on Unite's website to find out the real truth.
www.unitetheunion.org/ba<http://unite.newsweaver.co.uk/wrt3heq04wa-ameougo5rp?email=true>
Joint General Secretaries
Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley
BA's cabin crew save lives
BA frequent flyer Karen Ward believes she owes her life to the skills and
professionalism of British Airways cabin crew. Here she tells her story
about how she survived a life threatening illness thanks to the intervention
of highly experienced cabin crew. Click
here<http://unite.newsweaver.co.uk/lm4qiexsuw4-ameougo5rp?email=true>
.
http://www.youtube.com/user/UniteTheUnion#p/u/0/JCXD57CZCFE<http://unite.newsweaver.co.uk/lm4qiexsuw4-ameougo5rp?email=true>
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Click here to read Assistant General Secretary Len McCluskey's article in
the Guardian newspaper<http://unite.newsweaver.co.uk/1qkoipkal6s-ameougo5rp?email=true>
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Unite, 35 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JG
Unite, Transport House, 128 Theobald's Road, Holborn, London, WC1X 8TN
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Best Wishes,
Dave
Dave Wetzel
"Transforming Communities".
Sustainable Transport Policies ▪ Public Finance with Social Inclusion ▪
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