British Airways is being accused of ‘indirect racial discrimation’ by a group of its cabin crew.
The group of 30 air stewards is seeking compensation of up to £8,000 each after the airline withdrew travel concessions during strikes two years ago.
They live outside England and claim they relied on discounted BA fares in order to commute in and out of Heathrow.
Alison Humphry, the claimants’ solicitor, told the Guardian: "Our argument is that the blanket withdrawal of the staff travel concessions was a disproportionately large stick with which to beat those particular workers who suffered particular detriment because of their reliance on the concessions to get to work."
Some cabin crew lost about £2,000 in buying full-price BA tickets to get to and from work while the travel ban was in place, Humphry said. The five claimants at the recent employment tribunal are from France, Italy, Spain and Scotland.
A BA spokesperson said: "We are resisting the claims being made against the airline." At the time of the strikes the then BA chief executive, Willie Walsh, said he would not reinstate the staff travel scheme in full because it was for "those who show loyalty to the company, not those who try to damage its profits".
The cabin crew dispute was settled last June after two years and included the return of the staff travel perks. The tribunal continues this week.
By Diane Evans
