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19 May 2012 | Sign In
BA and Unite, peace at last
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Noel Hernandez Monday 16 May 2011 |
British Airways and Unite have finally reached an agreement after 18 months of hostilities, as the union confirmed on the 12th of May.
The deal was set in a mass meeting of Unite cabin crew at BA members near Heathrow airport. However, the decision still has to be approved in a ballot over the next month, with an union recommendation for acceptance. Unite has also decide not to call any industrial action at the airline in the mean time.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement which I believe recognises the rights and dignity of cabin crew as well as the commercial requirements of the company. This agreement will allow us to go forward in partnership together to strengthen this great British company - good news for BA, its employees and its customers alike."
The crisis began in 2009, when BA reduced staff on long-haul flights after a voluntary redundancy programme. It was then that Unite started a strike ballot in protest at the cuts and lack of consultation. During the period there have been High Court hearings, strikes and 22 days of walkouts.
It is understood that the agreement will restore travel concessions to the staff that took part in the strikes. The number of disciplinary actions and sackings related to crew members involved in the dispute will allow arbitration.
"I am particularly pleased that staff travel concessions will be restored in full with the signing of the agreement and the implementation of the new structure for working together that we have negotiated. A customer-oriented business can only succeed with all its employees valued and respected," added McCluskey.
In an official communicate BA states: "On behalf of our customers, we are very pleased the threat of industrial action has been lifted and that we have reached a point where we can put this dispute behind us."
In both statements, by the airline and the union, the professionalism of the cabin crew members is acknowledged. Unite hopes that BA would secure its crew a prosperous future. BA adds: "Our airline has a great future, and everyone within it intends to move forward together."
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And about time too. We have had business trips cancelled, holidays put on hold and the constant threat of stupid industrial action - and for what? | |
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Peter Best 18 May 2011, 01:28PM | |
It has taken a long time. I just hope the deal holds together that long. | |
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My wife works for BA and has been to some of the Unite meetings. She says that many of her colleagues feel bullied by the Union. She is pleased with anything extra that she gets but would not have wanted this fight herself. | |
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Glenda Perks 19 May 2011, 02:02PM | |
And if there is peace between BA and Unite, what will the Unite leaders do? will they take a well deserved rest and go on holiday, will they sign up for the Open University? | |
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