British Airways (BA) cabin crew who go on strike could permanently lose their travel perks, the airline has warned.
BA’s head of cabin crew, Bill Francis, wrote to staff ahead of a second strike ballot opening today, telling staff he wanted them to be “fully aware of the consequences should you vote yes and go on strike”.
The letter outlined how striking workers would have their free travel cut off, pay docked and that the cost of the hotels that crew stay in between flights would be reviewed, the Financial Times reported.
Francis added “of course I would be unable to maintain the assurances for your terms and conditions”.
“History tells us that absence rises significantly during industrial action,” he added. “We will assume that anyone who does not report for duty during a strike is taking part in that industrial action.”
Cabin crew and their families are eligible for travel benefits ranging from 90% discounts on BA flights, to a free set of business class tickets annually, depending on their length of service and seniority.
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite union, said: “There is no end to BA’s pettiness. Whoever dreamt up this scheme is presumably trying to inflame the situation.”
Last week, BA revealed it had asked staff to volunteer to retrain as cabin crew to cover striking workers.
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