Union uncovers 'shocking levels of bullying at BA to drive down terms'

Published by Ross Macmillan for 24dash.com in Communities

Almost three out of four members of British Airways cabin crew have witnessed or been victims of bullying, the country's biggest trade union claimed today.

Unite said a survey of almost 2,000 of its members at the airline revealed that a culture of "bullying and intimidation" had taken root in the wake of the bitter dispute which remains unresolved.

The cabin crew are currently being balloted again over whether to launch a fresh wave of strikes in the long running row which started over cost cutting but now involves other issues including travel concessions removed from workers who have taken industrial action.

Unite said most of those surveyed were cabin crew members, claiming they have been deliberately targeted by BA's management to try to "break" them and their union in order to drive down terms and conditions.

The union said the study revealed "shocking" levels of bullying, warning that this could harm the business, adding that in recent months, around 70 cabin crew have been suspended and 14 sacked.

The union said the survey showed that almost one in every two workers at British Airways had been bullied, while 72% had either been bullied or witnessed bullying at work

Over half said they had been bullied by higher managers and almost a third by their line manager, and most of those complained said nothing was done about it.

Unite's joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: "This survey shows that the company's macho management has pitched colleagues against one another.

"BA management's need to do a corporate u-turn and sit down with Unite representatives to address this bullying epidemic. That begins with lifting the sanctions imposed on over 6,000 cabin crew who took action last year and immediate agreement that a third party will analyse those cases where workers have been disciplined or dismissed, often on the flimsiest of pretexts."

Mr Woodley accused BA boss Willie Walsh and the BA board of "ruining" the airline by its "war" on the workforce, adding: "You have the power to end this misery and restore this airline to the place of public affection it once deserved. For your customers, shareholders and workforce, the glaring question now is why you choose not to."

The result of the ballot of Unite 10,000 members is due on January 21.

Meanwhile, Unite said it was pressing ahead with High Court action against BA on behalf of its cabin crew members who lost their staff travel entitlement after going on strike last year.

The union revealed that a blacklisting claim is included in the pleadings, alleging that BA have breached the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklist) Regulations 2010.

This is one of the first cases being pursued under the new Regulations. A briefing note by the union said: "Our claim alleges that BA must have compiled a blacklist of employees who had participated in industrial action in order to withdraw travel concessions and benefits from members who allegedly took part.

"This list amounts to a "prohibited list" under the 2010 Regulations. The case seeks a declaration that BA breached the Regulations, an Order restraining them from doing so, and compensation for members affected.

The proceedings started last October and a full hearing will take place later in 2011. BA is strongly denying all the charges against it.

The union's legal team has also lodged an application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, against the British Government, based on Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to freedom of association.

The basis of the application is that UK employment legislation does not provide a remedy for members who suffer action short of dismissal as a result of taking industrial action.

Proceedings were lodged in Strasbourg in December but a hearing will not take place for at least a year.

A BA spokesman said: "We utterly refute Unite's claims. As a responsible company we do not tolerate the bullying or harassment of any of our 40,000 colleagues.

"The company has an established disciplinary process that is consistent across the airline, has been in place for many years and has been agreed with all of the airline's recognised trade unions, including Unite.

"We also provide access to Safecall, a dedicated freephone number for staff manned by professional, third-party counsellors, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

"We've always been happy to continue to talk with Unite. However, Unite continues to be driven by internal divisions a