BA turns to old staff to cover strike
British Airways yesterday asked staff whose temporary contracts expired last year to cover expected upcoming strike action.
Former staff have been offered six month contracts worth £1,000 a month with an additional £2.40 an hour flying allowance. The staff would have to undergo a week long refresher course that would begin on 22 February.
BA’s 13,000-strong army of cabin crew will vote on whether to go on strike in a dispute over pay cuts and changes to working practices. Members of union Unite voted in favour of 12-day strike action over Christmas but saw their decision overturned by a judge. Now action could take place next month and over the busy Easter period. Both sides are awaiting a High Court ruling over the legality of the changes to working practices made by BA.
A spokesman for BA said: “We are offering former British Airways cabin crew the chance to come back and fly with us in the event of Unite calling a strike. Many of the cabin crew who worked for us during 2009 on temporary contracts have made contact with us since Unite announced its second ballot. We’re pleased to be able to offer a number of them short-term contracts.”