A mass meeting of British Airways staff still in negotiations about their futures is set for today as the Unite union warned of further months of industrial unrest.
BA ramp, baggage and cargo staff has been called the gathering near Heathrow today (Thursday) to update members on developments.
Unite said: “British Airways is heading for months of industrial unrest unless it steps back from proposals which will effectively force thousands of workers onto punitive and insecure zero hours-type contracts.”
More: BA: ‘10,000+’ staff being made redundant
‘Significant progress’ reported in BA jobs talks
The prospect of industrial action, including a strike at the airline’s Heathrow hub, has already been raised.
Unite admitted progress had been made to reach fairer agreements with core groups at the airline, similar to the same terms offered to pilots and engineers.
But at the last minute, senior officials from BA “destroyed the possibility of any settlement,” the union claimed.
BA insisted it has been discussing ways to save jobs with those working in airside roles.
In addition to industrial action Unite is considering supporting potentially thousands of workers in employment tribunal cases against the airline where workers have been “misled” on the monetary value of voluntary redundancy.
Oliver Richardson, Unite’s national officer for civil aviation, said: “Those who feel that they have no choice but to remain with a company that has launched a war on its workforce will have to endure pay cuts but will have no job security and no control over when they work as BA will pick and choose at a moment’s notice.
“The worst abuses of modern employment are now being imposed by our so-called national carrier. It is an industrial and political disgrace and it is the responsibility of us all to resist it.”
Unite has said that the airline’s refusal to use the government jobs retention scheme to retain workers during the Covid-19 crisis is one reason that it should forfeit its rights to lucrative slots such as that between Heathrow and New York JFK.
The airline, which posted a loss of £711 million for the second quarter of the year as travel restrictions effectively grounded all flights, is exploring every opportunity to reduce our costs and save money – including selling artwork and re-mortgaging aircraft
BA said: “For more than 100 years British Airways has been flying millions of people around the world. Today that world remains largely closed.
“Sadly, the global pandemic has resulted in job losses across every industry. This is the biggest challenge we have ever faced. Many airlines have already made thousands of staff redundant.
“We are not immune to this crisis. We have to adapt to survive, so we will continue with the proper, lawful consultative process and we will keep inviting union representatives to discuss our proposals to the serious challenges we face. It is not too late to find solutions – as we have done with [pilots’ union] Balpa – and to protect jobs.”
More: BA: ‘10,000+’ staff being made redundant
‘Significant progress’ reported in BA jobs talks
