Web spat worsens BA management and crew relations
Wednesday, 12 Feb, 2010
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Warring British Airways management and union bosses have come to blows again, this time over alleged internet bullying.
The flag carrier has suspended cabin crew belonging to cabin crew union BASSA, an arm of umbrella union Unite, pending an investigation into whether they have been intimidating staff.
It says intimidating language was used in a chatroom on union Unite’s website. However, Unite says the suspension is down to members comments on Facebook.
There are also allegations that more moderate cabin crew members who do not agree with Unite’s stance on a current BA deal have been bullied via a fake website. The site was a spoof copy of a real one set up by new group the Professional Cabin Crew Council which will act for those BA staff who feel BA’s current pay and conditions offer is, given the current climate, within the boundaries of acceptability.
Crew members could face disciplinary action if BA finds them guilty of intimidation. A BA spokesman said: “We will not tolerate intimidation of our staff, and any reports of staff being threatened will be thoroughly investigated.
"A number of staff have been suspended while we carry out investigations. As that investigation is happening at the moment it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
Assistant general secretary of Unite Len McCluskey said: "BA has unleashed a cyberspace witch-hunt. Cabin crew have been suspended simply for being a Facebook friend. This is McCarthyism for the internet age.
"This bears all the hallmarks of a management drunk on its own machismo, regardless of the damage done to the airline’s image and reputation.”
By Dinah Hatch
Phil Davies
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