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UK union set to challenge airline decision
28 July 2010
A UK union is to challenge the decision of a British national carrier to remove travel concessions from cabin crew who took part in strike action earlier this year.
The ITF-affiliated union Unite announced the legal challenge on 26 July. The union believes that British Airways (BA) managers’ decision to remove the concessions is in breach of human rights legislation. This sanction, claims Unite, was taken without recourse to proper disciplinary procedures and has has hindered the resolution of the long-running dispute.
In addition, Unite is preparing to provide additional assistance to members who went on strike who have suffered particular financial hardship as a result of additional days’ pay being docked from their wages.
Further talks between the union and BA are due to take place next week under the auspices of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. The talks follows the rejection of the company’s last offer in a ballot earlier this month.
Unite joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said: “Unite remains determined to secure a settlement to this dispute acceptable to cabin crew. Until such an agreement is secured, we will continue to support our members financially and legally to ensure that every avenue is explored to achieve justice for these loyal and professional men and women who have been so badly treated by their employer.”
On 13 July, Unite lobbied shareholders attending BA’s annual general meeting in London, UK, to raise awareness of the dispute. Meanwhile a group of union representatives from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Spain demonstrated outside the meeting supporting Unite's demands for a fair agreement, which would end the dispute.
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