BMI staff threaten strike action

Staff
at BMI, formerly British Midland Airways, are threatening to strike over lack
of union recognition, poor working conditions, increased duty hours and alleged
harsh treatment by managers.

The
British Airlines Stewards & Stewardesses Association (BASSA) is now
conducting a consultative ballot, the first stage in the process, as tension
between its members and the company’s management reaches an all-time high.

A
branch of BASSA was created at the airline a year ago and has grown to become
the largest cabin crew union at BMI. Despite this, the company has refused to
recognise the union and threatened disciplinary action to anyone recruiting for
BASSA during working time.

This
has only served to stimulate membership of BASSA, which is part of the
Transport & General Workers’ Union.

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Any
industrial action at BMI, the UK’s second largest airline, could cause massive
disruption to schedules.

By Quentin Reade