28 October 2009

BA ground staff talks resume

British Airways’ woes continue today as it prepares to sit down with the unions representing its check-in workers and other customer-facing staff who are disgruntled at swingeing cost cutting measures.

The Unite and GMB unions meet management on Wednesday to try to revive discussions that fell apart without conclusion this summer over talk that BA planned to outsource airport staff and cut pay and hours.

Unite’s national officer Steve Turner told journalists it "beggared belief" that BA could treat loyal staff in such a way, adding that it was his belief that the carrier planned to axe 1250 airport staff jobs.

Unite has already declared this week that it intends to ballot cabin crew about strike action which would begin in December and cause chaos to the festive travel season.

However, chief executive Willie Walsh has remained steadfast about cuts to this area of the airline’s workforce, declaring the airline simply has to trim resources in order to stay afloat.

Dinah Hatch

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BA 'Service' will equal Ryanair 'service'

If BA discharges ground staff, what will differentiate BA from LCC's? Only one thing - HIGHER PRICES! Note to Walsh: to avoid charges of false advertising you better remove: "British Airways is a full service global airline ..." from your web site.

By J Hewson, Thursday, October 29, 2009