Unite praises cabin crew's dignity but asks BA what has it got to hide?

9 June 2010

Addressing BA cabin crew members on the final day of the 22-day strike by British Airways' cabin crew, Unite assistant general secretary Len McCluskey vowed that the fight for justice at the airline will go on.

Unite is to begin a fresh ballot of crew members and says that preparations are now at an advanced stage.

Len McCluskey told crew that the blame for the continuing instability at the airline must be placed firmly at the door of BA management's "tough guy" stance. When agreement on the fundamental cost-down issues was reached between both sides some weeks back, this dispute should have been settled.

Len McCluskey said: "Comments about 'holding out' for as long as it takes against the workforce should cause despair among BA's board and shareholders. While Unite views this as a process where both parties must compromise, BA's CEO prefers to see this as a siege against his own workforce.

"This bunker mentality suggests that the true objective is not cutting costs, but crushing the workforce.

"Talking tough will not help find peace."

Unite also says the City must scrutinise the airline's claims about its strike-breaking operation more carefully.

Added Len McCluskey: "The question shareholders and the City must ask themselves is, not how many planes took off, but how many passengers actually flew on BA flights? Planes were empty because passengers were enjoying the hospitality of competitors - and BA paid them for the privilege. The jewel in BA's crown, Terminal 5, has taken a heavy hit as there are no passengers to enjoy the shops and restaurants. And forward bookings are taking a huge hit as passengers reject Willie Walsh's vision for BA.

"This is not successful contingency planning, this is ruination.

"If BA had nothing to hide, then it should throw open its books and show exactly what this dispute has cost. The City must wise up to the BA con trick." he added.

Praising the thousands of cabin crew who took strike action, Len McCluskey continued: "The intimidation crew have faced has been unprecedented, yet over 22 days they have stood tall and remained dignified. They can go back to work with their heads held high. They may be bullied but they will never be bowed by BA."

Cabin crew are due back at work tomorrow (Thursday), but with BA steadfastly impeding a solution by punishing strikers Unite expects to announce a fresh ballot of the 12,000-strong cabin crew shortly.