Determination

Pictured are Unite BA cabin crew members on day one of a three day strike beginning today (January 19), with striking crew members joining picket lines at Heathrow Airport to protest over poverty pay.

Drawing massive support from airport workers and the public, the Unite members were joined by shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP, shadow business secretary Clive Lewis MP and Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.

This week’s 72-hour strike is the second wave of strike action to hit the UK’s national carrier in as many weeks with the Heathrow based British Airways mixed fleet cabin crew staging a two day stoppage from 10 -11 January.

Addressing the protest Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said, “British Airways should be under no illusion about their determination to see movement on poverty pay. Mixed fleet cabin crew work tirelessly for pennies to provide a world class service and play a vital role in making British Airways a success.

“With British Airways’ parent company forecasting massive annual profits of around £2.3bn, it is clear the airline can afford to recognise their hard work and pay a decent wage,” he added.

“I urge British Airways to heed the anger of its mixed fleet cabin crew and work with Unite to address its pitiful levels of pay which force people to take second jobs to make ends meet.”

Pics by Mark Thomas