The union representing British Airways’ cabin crew says it will seek a mandate for industrial action unless the airline withdraws proposed new working conditions.
Unite, which represents BA’s 14,000 cabin crew, is writing to them criticising the airline’s actions, and has told members that industrial action may be inevitable.
BA announced last week that it will cut 1,700 full-time jobs, implement a pay freeze and reduce the number of cabin crew on its Boeing 747s.
The announcement was made without consulting the unions, which said that they had first learned of the changes via the national media.
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The letter, signed by Unite’s joint general secretaries, Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley, informs union members that “if the threat of imposition is not removed now, we will have no alternative but to seek an immediate mandate from you in a joint ballot for industrial action”.
Unite is to meet BA chief Willie Walsh tomorrow, reports the Telegraph.
