Unite union has launched a video of British Airways (BA) cabin crew members explaining why they could go on strike against the airline.
About 12,000 air stewards are expected to take part in an industrial action ballot that began earlier this week, as the jobs and pay row at the firm continues.
A ballot before Christmas resulted in an overwhelming majority vote of 9-1 in favour of a strike, although it was later ruled illegal as the union had included staff who no longer worked at the company.
The video comes just days after BA called on existing staff to retrain as cabin crew to cover for the striking workers.
Len McCluskey, Unite’s assistant general secretary, said: “For those who want to understand the truth behind this dispute, this film shows why crew have been driven to consider industrial action for the second time in as many months.
“Low wages, the stress of working under imposed changes, and the distress of cutting corners on passenger service have pushed them to this point.”
A BA spokesman told Personnel Today the staff retraining as cabin crew would receive “like-for-like” training as individuals who took up the role for the first time.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
“Converted staff will be fully trained in all aspects of the [cabin crew] job. The training will comply with the high-quality BA standards,” he said.
The union has claimed that existing staff will only receive 21 days worth of training however, compared to experienced crew, which it believes receives three months.
