Staff can’t afford to be sick

It might have been a dark, wintry, early start for Unite’s BA ‘mixed fleet’ members but their spirits were undeterred as they started their 48-hour strike today (January 10) over poverty pay levels at the UK’s national carrier.

Unite members are pictured at this morning’s rally outside Unite’s Heathrow offices.

“Going on strike is never an easy decision, so we are pleased with the numbers of ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew who have taken the courageous step to take a stand against poverty pay at British Airways,” commented Unite national officer Oliver Richardson.

“This is a low paid workforce struggling to make ends meet on wages which are among the lowest in the airline industry. It is to the shame of British Airways, a company which prides itself as a ‘premium brand’, that members of its loyal workforce are forced to take second jobs to make ends meet or turn up to work unfit to fly because they can’t afford to take the day off sick.

“Refusing to meaningfully address the concerns of ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew and instead seeking to poison industrial relations through confrontation does passengers a disservice and will lead to plummeting morale.”

He added, “We would urge British Airways to listen to our members and address their legitimate concerns over poverty pay.”

Pic by Mark Thomas