25 June 2010

Union outraged over BA ad for cheaper staff

British Airways has angered the unions yet again after placing an advert for 1,250 Heathrow cabin crew at lower salaries than existing staff.

The airline said the ad was the start of a major recruitment drive that would see 40% of its cabin crew working under the new, lower salary structure within 10 years.

A spokesman said the new recruits would be paid less than half the salaries currently paid to long-haul crew at Heathrow.

They would earn about Ã&#pound;13,800, while at Heathrow crew earn up to Ã&#pound;35,000 on long-haul flights and Ã&#pound;26,000 for short-haul.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœItÃ¢â¬â¢s not some wild new departure. They will be on a very similar salary to existing Gatwick staff,Ã¢â¬~ said the spokesman.

He said under the new contracts Heathrow cabin crew would fly a mixture of short and long-haul flights, rather than choose one or the other.

The move would bring Heathrow costs in line with competitors, BA said.

But cabin crew union, Unite, said the advert would do nothing to persuade its members that BA was looking to resolve the long-running dispute.

Earlier this week Unite said it would call a fresh strike ballot among cabin crew to disrupt services over the August holidays.

* Do you think BA is justified in cutting its salary costs? Tell us your views by clicking on ADD A COMMENT below

By Bev Fearis

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Your Comments (4)

BA Strikes

Why can't BA cabin crew realise they are just being used as pawns in this game of the union leaders trying to justify their existence and fat cat salaries.

By val matthews, Saturday, June 26, 2010
I Agree

Can't the BA staff see that they are on a hiding to nothing, if they are not satisfied with their pay and conditions they can always put themselves on the job market and see what happens, meanwhile I suspect that there are plenty of others willing to work for BA at any price.

By Jane Earl, Friday, June 25, 2010
Of course they are

what do people expect! BA is losing money and the crew are overpaid compared to competitors. Good on you Willie - dont back down!!

By Scott Braidwood, Friday, June 25, 2010
About Time Too !

Striking idiots at BA should merely ask themselves two questions. First: "Where did all Ryanair's and Easyjet's and other 'no frills' passengers come from ? Secondly, "Why ?" Remember Eastern Airlines, anybody, where striking pilots wanting more money despite industry conditions, closed the Company down for good so they and all the other employees all lost their jobs anyway ? The market has changed, and those working in the industry must change with it ! One is reminded of a certain Yorkshireman - the one who seemingly wore a dead ferret on his head - who lived the life of Reilly while 'leading' so many hard working individuals to repetitive long-term strike action and eventual job loss.

By Paul Tucker, Friday, June 25, 2010