Unite offers lifeline to British Airways to secure ‘temporary
solutions to temporary problems’
10th April 2009
In a positive and significant effort to combat the serious
impact of the deteriorating global economy on British Airways,
Unite, the UK's leading union, yesterday (Thursday) proposed to the
airline a major package of negotiated efficiencies, temporary cost
savings and deferred payments worth millions over the next two
years.
The union is clear, however, that this 'interest free'
investment by BA’s workforce now must be repaid as the company
returns to operating profitability in the near future.
The package, aimed at securing both the long term security of
employees and industrial peace during current difficulties with the
carrier, was tabled in a meeting with BA CEO Willie Walsh and other
members of the BA Board.
Unite national aecretary for aviation, Steve Turner, said:
“While it is clear that BA is finding the current economic
situation challenging, things will improve alongside an upturn in
the global economy. Until it does we will work with the
company on the introduction of temporary measures aimed at ensuring
stability and security of employment for our members and their
families."
Unite has tabled measures, including if necessary, a
company-wide deferral of pay award for 2009/10, alongside the
deferral of incremental pay increases for those earning basic pay
over £14,500, and headcount efficiencies following a reduced flight
schedule. This will allow hundreds to reduce their working
hours so meeting a long-standing demand from workers.
However, Unite is sounding a note of caution that the union will
not accept wholesale restructuring of the business smuggled through
under the guise of the global slump.
Steve Turner added: “It is clear to us that some within the
business may see the current recession as an opportunity to drive
home plans for the permanent restructuring of operations and change
to long-standing agreements. Any such attempts will not be welcomed
by a workforce whose professionalism and quality of service
delivery saw record profits for BA only 12 months ago.
"This is a time when we should be pulling together and avoiding
unnecessary conflict and instability. We need to be clear
that this requires temporary solutions to what are undoubtedly
tough but nevertheless temporary problems."
Unite now awaits what it hopes will be a positive response from
the company to an initiative that sees all workers playing their
part in safeguarding jobs and building a bright future for BA, from
Willie Walsh and the highest paid director to the lowest paid
employee.
ENDS
For further information, contact Pauline Doyle on 07976 832
861
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