Unite statement on BA dispute
12 March 2010
Unite Assistant General Secretary and lead negotiator with
British Airways Len McCluskey said today (Friday): “The talks we
have been conducting with British Airways over the entire course of
this year reached a conclusion this week.
“Regrettably, management turned down a remarkable offer from the
union which would have given the company everything it said it
wanted while also meeting our members’ concerns.
“This offer gives the lie to the smears that these skilled and
professional employees are mindless militants indifferent to BA’s
difficulties, or are defending a privileged position.
“The company contests our calculations, but quibbles over the
precise costing of our concessions pale into insignificance
compared to the losses that BA will sustain in the event of an
industrial dispute.
“However, despite spurning this proposal, British Airways
management finally submitted a formal offer of its own to Unite
yesterday. It is welcome that the company acknowledges that
negotiated agreement, not imposition, is the only way to conduct
mature industrial relations at BA.
“It is right that cabin crew should be given the opportunity to
consider this offer, although it falls short of what we believe is
needed to address the legitimate concerns they have about crew
complement and service delivery.
“Unite will therefore hold a consultative ballot of our cabin
crew members to ascertain their view on the offer. We would
anticipate getting the result of this consultation by the middle of
next week.
“However, we are unable to recommend the offer, and are
therefore also setting strike dates in accordance with the mandate
the union has twice overwhelmingly secured from our members.
“Strikes are planned for March 20, 21 and 22 and further on
March 27, 28, 29 and 30. There will be no strikes over the Easter
period, as we already promised, but further industrial action will
be called to take place after April 14 if the dispute has not been
resolved.
“The consultative ballot we are holding will be concluded before
the first day of industrial action is scheduled to take
place. Should that ballot show a majority in favour of the
company’s offer, then all the strike action announced today will of
course be cancelled.
“These have been very difficult negotiations – unnecessarily so,
in my view. I represent a workforce which has repeatedly made
it clear that it is proud of its company and prepared to make
extraordinary sacrifices to see it succeed. The customers
they care for have always been at the forefront of their
concerns.
“But we have been faced with a management which at times has
almost seemed to want a dispute. Every time talks appeared to
make progress, the chief executive or another senior manager has
popped up making public statements designed to inflame the
situation. This has led to the view that BA management’s real
agenda is destroying trade unionism among its employees.
“Should our members accept the company offer, Unite stands
willing to work with British Airways to restore its
industrial relations, its image and its prospects, provided we have
a willing partner on the management side.
“Should they turn the proposal down then, in the absence of a
better offer from the company before the dates I have announced for
strike action, Unite will stand four square behind our cabin crew
members in their struggle against industrial dictatorship, and we
will call on the whole of the labour movement at home and abroad to
stand with us.”
- Ends -
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