BA cabin crew allege ‘legal blitz’ over ballot

Unite said BA had informed the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) that a recent ballot on industrial action was unlawful and that any action taken would be unprotected.

Even though this was “merely an assertion” by BA, the ERS issued a qualification in its report on the ballot, said Unite.

“Unite therefore cannot call industrial action based on this ballot, since such a move would expose our members to sanctions by a bullying employer,” said general secretary Len McCluskey.

Unite accused BA of launching a “legal blitz” against the independent scrutineer used to conduct the recent ballot.

Mr McCluskey said: “This doubtless reflects BA’s decision to place its chief legal officer in charge of employee relations. While not addressing the union directly, BA advised the ERS that the ballot was unlawful and that any industrial action taken on the basis of it would be unprotected.

“If BA management believes that it can secure industrial harmony by these methods it is living in a fool’s paradise. Only negotiation, not litigation or intimidation, can place industrial relations on a sound footing and start to heal the wounds caused by this dispute.”

Today’s announcement is the latest twist in the bitter row between Unite and BA which led to a series of strikes last year, costing the airline more than £150m.

The dispute started more than a year ago over cost-cutting measures, but later spread to other issues, including travel concessions withdrawn from staff who went on strike, as well as disciplinary action against Unite members.

Unite’s members voted last month by 5,751 to 1,579 to take further industrial action following 22 days of strikes last years.

It was the fourth time in 13 months that BA’s cabin crew had voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action.