Menu
25/07/2003
GMB 'frustrated' at BA talks deadlock
The GMB union voiced its "frustration" that no agreement has yet been reached at talks between British Airways (BA) and the unions.
This comes after a further night of discussion at the conciliation service, Acas, which yielded little progress.
BA staff at Heathrow's Terminal One downed tools last Friday in an unofficial strike in opposition to plans by the management to introduce Automatic Time Recording (ATR) swipe cards. Workers believe that the information collected via the swipe cards will be used to restructure annual hours and shift rotas.
Kevin Curran, GMB General Secretary, said that he was disappointed talks were not productive and that BA had failed to "comprehend the position of the staff".
He added: "At all stages of these negotiations, the GMB and BA staff have been clear that they want the imposition of ATR (swipe cards) lifted.
“The concerns of BA staff over changes to shift patterns and working practices are real and genuine. Our members are not traditionally militant workers. Many of them have family responsibilities and they are saying to us that they want to retain some balance between work and home lives. This is very much a dispute of the 21st century.
“We are hoping to meet the company and the other unions but it will take major movement from the company to resolve this dispute. If the company does not lift the imposition and address the real issues there will be a ballot on industrial action.”
The head of BA Rod Eddington has issued an apology to customers over the severe disruption to services.
The statement of apology reads: "I would like to apologise unreservedly to those thousands of holidaymakers and business passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted as a result of unofficial industrial action over the last few days at London Heathrow Airport.
"We recognise that we have not provided the level of service that our customers have come to expect from British Airways.
"An apology is cold comfort to those people who have had to wait hours and, in some cases, days to travel with us. We are working around the clock to get the operation working normally again.
"Once again, I am sorry for any problems you have encountered."
Negotiations are set to continue next Tuesday, and current advice for BA passengers is to turn up as normal at departure desks.
At the height of the disruptions around 80,000 people were in a backlog for flights.
(GMcG)
This comes after a further night of discussion at the conciliation service, Acas, which yielded little progress.
BA staff at Heathrow's Terminal One downed tools last Friday in an unofficial strike in opposition to plans by the management to introduce Automatic Time Recording (ATR) swipe cards. Workers believe that the information collected via the swipe cards will be used to restructure annual hours and shift rotas.
Kevin Curran, GMB General Secretary, said that he was disappointed talks were not productive and that BA had failed to "comprehend the position of the staff".
He added: "At all stages of these negotiations, the GMB and BA staff have been clear that they want the imposition of ATR (swipe cards) lifted.
“The concerns of BA staff over changes to shift patterns and working practices are real and genuine. Our members are not traditionally militant workers. Many of them have family responsibilities and they are saying to us that they want to retain some balance between work and home lives. This is very much a dispute of the 21st century.
“We are hoping to meet the company and the other unions but it will take major movement from the company to resolve this dispute. If the company does not lift the imposition and address the real issues there will be a ballot on industrial action.”
The head of BA Rod Eddington has issued an apology to customers over the severe disruption to services.
The statement of apology reads: "I would like to apologise unreservedly to those thousands of holidaymakers and business passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted as a result of unofficial industrial action over the last few days at London Heathrow Airport.
"We recognise that we have not provided the level of service that our customers have come to expect from British Airways.
"An apology is cold comfort to those people who have had to wait hours and, in some cases, days to travel with us. We are working around the clock to get the operation working normally again.
"Once again, I am sorry for any problems you have encountered."
Negotiations are set to continue next Tuesday, and current advice for BA passengers is to turn up as normal at departure desks.
At the height of the disruptions around 80,000 people were in a backlog for flights.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 August 2005
Talks to begin over Heathrow catering row
Talks are set to begin in an attempt to resolve the industrial dispute, which has led to the cancellation of flights and the stranding of over 70,000 passengers at London’s Heathrow airport.
Talks to begin over Heathrow catering row
Talks are set to begin in an attempt to resolve the industrial dispute, which has led to the cancellation of flights and the stranding of over 70,000 passengers at London’s Heathrow airport.
11 August 2005
BA suspends check-ins as catering dispute escalates
British Airways has been forced to suspend all check-ins at London’s Heathrow Airport, after staff walked out in support of sacked catering staff. The company at the centre of the row, Gate Gourmet, have reportedly now sacked 800 workers since the dispute began on Wednesday.
BA suspends check-ins as catering dispute escalates
British Airways has been forced to suspend all check-ins at London’s Heathrow Airport, after staff walked out in support of sacked catering staff. The company at the centre of the row, Gate Gourmet, have reportedly now sacked 800 workers since the dispute began on Wednesday.
15 October 2014
Council Could Sack Staff To Offer New Lower Wage Contracts
Merthyr Tydfil Council could sack staff in order to offer them new contracts with lower pay, according to a report by the BBC. The council is to meet today to discuss the proposal, which is being considered in the case of no agreement on a proposed 3% pay cut.
Council Could Sack Staff To Offer New Lower Wage Contracts
Merthyr Tydfil Council could sack staff in order to offer them new contracts with lower pay, according to a report by the BBC. The council is to meet today to discuss the proposal, which is being considered in the case of no agreement on a proposed 3% pay cut.
13 April 2011
Amendments 'Strengthen Postal Bill'
The Government has today published a number of amendments to strengthen the Postal Services Bill. The changes incorporate feedback from MPs, Lords, Royal Mail, other postal operators and the Communication Workers Union, as well as other interested parties.
Amendments 'Strengthen Postal Bill'
The Government has today published a number of amendments to strengthen the Postal Services Bill. The changes incorporate feedback from MPs, Lords, Royal Mail, other postal operators and the Communication Workers Union, as well as other interested parties.
23 September 2004
BA to add 200 more customer service staff at Heathrow
British Airways (BA) is to recruit 200 extra customer service staff following a review of the airline’s Heathrow operation. The new staff will be in addition to 216 new airport terminal staff already being trained and drafted into the British Airways operation at Heathrow.
BA to add 200 more customer service staff at Heathrow
British Airways (BA) is to recruit 200 extra customer service staff following a review of the airline’s Heathrow operation. The new staff will be in addition to 216 new airport terminal staff already being trained and drafted into the British Airways operation at Heathrow.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south as the night progresses. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
