BA cabin crew dispute arrives in court
2nd February 2010
The dispute over new schedules for British Airways cabin crew
took off at the High Court today as the hearing before Sir
Christopher Holland in London will resolve whether there should be
a permanent injunction preventing BA from imposing cost-cutting
proposals commenced.
Steve Turner, Unite national officer for civil aviation, said:
"This court case is about a matter of huge importance to workers
everywhere. It's about whether an employer can, without due
notice or negotiation, systematically change the long-standing
contracts of employment of its workforce.
"So the High Court is being asked to rule on a matter of
justice. It is our clear view that, the moment BA imposed new
terms on 13,500 cabin crew, the law was broken. The court must put
this right.
"But let's be very clear on one other matter; this is not about
cabin crew or Unite blocking change to BA's operations. A year ago
we proposed lasting changes which would return tens of millions of
pounds to BA's business immediately but the company dismissed these
changes.
"Management by imposition will ruin BA. It has forced us
to the High Court and it has caused a ballot of cabin crew
determined to protect their jobs. BA must think again -
negotiate, stop attacking a prized asset in your cabin crew, and
bring your workforce with you."
ENDS
