'There must be consequences for BA's actions'

Unite is calling for a government review of British Airways’ landing slots amid the airline’s betrayal of its workers and the British public.

Unite has welcomed today’s (June 3) debate in the House of Commons which raised the issue of BA’s landing slots and highlighted BA’s plans to effectively ‘fire and rehire’ its workforce, bringing back those that survive on inferior terms and conditions.

BA controls a large number of UK landing slots, including more than half at Heathrow Airport due to legacy rights. There should be consequences to BA’s actions, the airline should not automatically have rights to these slots as it plans to destroy British Airways as we know it.

Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey said, “BA is using this health crisis as cover to impose a long-term plan to slash jobs, pay and conditions. No other employer has threatened to effectively ‘fire and rehire’ its workforce. 

“There should be a government review of British Airways’ domination of UK landing slots amid the airline’s betrayal of its workers and the British public,” he added.

“There must be consequences to BA’s actions, the airline should not automatically have rights to landing slots as it plans to destroy British Airways as we know it. 

“The public, celebrities and politicians have responded with anger when they learn about British Airways’ plans. They expect an iconic company like BA to be working in the interests of the nation, not attacking its own loyal workforce during the worst health crisis in a century.”

By Ciaran Naidoo