Fresh fears of British Airways crew strike action have been brewing after it has emerged that a long-time staffer has been punished for initiating a Christmas collection for sacked or suspended workers.
Cabin crew union Unite claims that Andrea Molten has been suspended herself for her actions, a move that will anger colleagues already fuming with BA for its supposedly tough management style.
According to the Daily Telegraph today, Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley has written a letter to BA director of employee relations Tony McCarthy saying the act “beggars belief… at this sensitive moment in industrial relations”.
He added: “This suspension exemplifies the bullying and vindictive attitude rife among some BA managers which I have repeatedly told you represents a major barrier to any settlement of our current dispute. I am urging you to intervene to lift Andrea’s suspension immediately, failing which, the consequences will rest entirely with management."
A tentative olive branch in the form of a new deal was offered to Unite and its members two weeks ago by BA management in a bid to put an end to 14 months of sporadic industrial action.
But Unite, after initially agreeing to put the deal to members, eventually decided not to ballot on the offer.
