Union threatens pre-Christmas strike for Thomson Airways
A possible strike involving staff who control the rosters for Thomson Airways cabin crew and pilots could cause pre-Christmas disruption, claims Unite.
About 30 crew controllers and their assistants, who arrange cabin crew and pilot rosters to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations to cover for sick colleagues and any unforeseen circumstances, will be balloted from 19 November for strike action in a dispute over pay.
The ballot, which is due to claims of below inflation pay rises, closes on 10 December and follows a breakdown in negotiations with the conciliation service ACAS.
Unite claims other Thomson Airways’ employees are rewarded well but crew controllers have not benefited and their pay has been severely eroded in relation to the retail price index (RPI) rate of inflation since 2010.
Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said: "Passengers could face the real threat of disruption in the run to the Christmas holidays, if the crew controllers and their assistants walk out.
"We call on the management to get around the table and negotiate a fair and equable deal that will avert strike action over Christmas and the New Year."
The airline said: "Thomson Airways is surprised and disappointed to note that Unite intends to ballot our small team of crew roster controllers to consider strike action over the Christmas and New Year period, despite being offered what we believe is an extremely fair and reasonable pay deal. We feel this is premature as further talks are scheduled for next week.
"We would like to reassure customers that, should the strike action go ahead, we have contingency plans in place to ensure that there is no disruption to customers’ travel."
Diane
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