BA accused of breaching human rights over travel perks

Unite union is to take legal action over British Airways’ decision to remove travel perks from the cabin crew who went on strike earlier this year.

The union said yesterday that BA’s removal of staff travel concessions is in breach of European human rights legislation and that the airline did not follow the proper disciplinary procedures.

The news comes after members of the union rejected BA’s latest pay offer last week.

A spokesperson for BA however said: ‘We totally reject the claim from Unite and will defend our position vigorously’.

‘Staff travel is a non-contractual perk that the company can withdraw at its discretion. Our cabin crew knew that if they took part in strike action they would lose their staff travel perks,’ he added.

Unite has also said it provide additional assistance to union members who have suffered financial hardship.

Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley, joint general secretaries for Unite, said: ‘Unite remains determined to secure a settlement to this dispute acceptable to cabin crew’.

‘Until such an agreement is secured, we will continue to support our members financially and legally to ensure that every avenue is explored to achieve justice for these loyal and professional men and women who have been so badly treated by their employer,’ they added.

Unite will meet BA and cabin crew representatives separately for further talks next week to try and resolve the long running dispute.

BA cabin crew have already staged 22 days of strikes for this year, costing the airline over £150 million.