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BA cabin strike goes global
17 March 2010
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) today reported further support for BA cabin crew among civil aviation workers worldwide.
Gabriel Mocho, ITF Civil Aviation Section Secretary stated: “Today’s meetings between Unite and the Teamsters, and the decision to help by the Australian Transport Workers’ Union show just how strongly airline workers around the world feel about this dispute. We are all backing the cabin crew and their desire for a speedy solution.”
“Ask anyone in the 264 aviation trade unions that are members of the ITF what they think of the dispute and they’ll tell you that they want to avoid industrial action and disruption to passengers. But in this case they don’t believe BA management has shown a real willingness to sort out the problems. The result has been a groundswell of support for the cabin crew and a search for ways to show it.”
He continued: “If a solution to this strike isn’t found - and we, Unite and all our colleagues worldwide are actively seeking a settlement - then our member unions will continue to mobilise to support the strikers, using the kind of lawful expressions of solidarity that are most appropriate to them.”
“That means whatever expression of solidarity they feel is within their power and within the laws of the land where they are located. The cabin crew are being supported in this by everyone from air traffic controllers to refuellers to ground and flight staff, and they want to do what they can to back their colleagues in BA. If a satisfactory solution is found, which is what we all hope for, then that action won't be taken. If it should prove necessary then we'd rather not say in advance the exact forms it will take.”
He added: “Other unions have had support from Unite in the past, and they’re ready to stand by them now.”
He concluded: “Saying it’s wrong to internationalise this dispute is missing the point. BA is an international organisation that affects people around the globe. All of them are involved one way or another, and in this case thousands of them, in hundreds of trade unions, are involved in backing the BA cabin crew and a speedy and satisfactory end to this dispute.”
The ITF is a global union federation with 751 member trade unions, representing 4,669,720 members in 154 countries. Two hundred and sixty four of those unions represent workers in the aviation sector, including cabin crew, pilots, ground staff, baggage handlers and air traffic controllers.
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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