23 Mar 2010 - ITF unions support Unite BA cabin crew
ITF unions support Unite BA cabin crew
Latest News
Be sure to check back regularly for updates on the disputeand visit the solidarity pagehere >>
British Airways cabin crew represented by the Unite trade union are being balloted on how to proceed in the long running dispute with the airline.
12 May 2011 Agreement reached between Unite and British Airways Commenting on today’s agreement between Unite and British Airways, ITF general secretary David Cockroft said: “This groundbreaking agreement brings an end to the dispute within sight, subject to the approval of the cabin crew.”
18 March 2011 ITF readies support for British Airways cabin crew The ITF today issued an action alert to its 275 member aviation unions worldwide asking them to make ready to support the British Airways cabin crew now balloting on possible industrial action. 04 March 2011 UK union organises fourth strike ballot at UK airline A UK union is organising the fourth strike ballot in two years at a UK airline as a cabin crew dispute continues to rage.
CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 04 JUNE 2010
04 June 2010: BA Solidarity page
Please visit our Solidarity page now to show BA workers that you are on their side by sending messages of solidarity.
22 May 2010: Unite downloads
Download the Unite letter written to BA investors and Professor Martin Upchurch’s paper on the implications of the cabin crew dispute below.
Members of Unite the Union in the UK, which represents more than 95% of British Airway's (BA) cabin crew, have had to take industrial action in an ongoing dispute with company over management cuts that they believe are unfair and will damage the airline. These hard-working men and women are battling aggressive management tactics and a largely hostile media.
Unite cabin crew have been on strike for a total of 17 days since March 2010 and are planning a further series of walkouts between 05/06/10 and 09/06/10 as attempts by the union to negotiate a settlement have failed. According to Unite, with a deal on cabin crew costs already agreed between both parties, the airline could be restored to full operation in time for the peak summer season – but only if BA drops its determined efforts to punish crew for striking by removing their travel assistance.
BA’s seemingly heavy handed approach has drawn criticism in a report from a leading academic who warns that BA’s brand and future success will be harmed by “an embedded culture of bullying and authoritarianism deliberately engineered from the top echelons of the company.”
In the report prepared for Unite, Professor Martin Upchurch, from Middlesex University Business School says that BA is creating a climate of fear and is displaying aspects of what he describes as ‘macho-management’.
Support for the UNITE cabin crew has poured in from around the world from ITF affiliates and their members. View some example activities andmessages of solidarityon these pages.
The many messages received have been a great boost to the morale of the BA workers and the ITF is calling for a renewed demonstration of support for them at this crucial time in the long-running dispute. Please visit our Solidarity page now and show BA workers that you are on their side.
Solidarity with British Airways workers
Background
Unite the union represents more than 95% of BA's cabin crew. Since January 2009, Unite and their crew members have been engaged with BA about widespread changes aimed at reducing costs. These discussions ended when BA imposed changes in November 2009. This imposition prompted an industrial action ballot.
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