BA campaigners to lobby Harrogate MP over 'brutal fire and rehire' plans for staff

Air industry campaigners are to socially distant lobby Harrogate's MP tomorrow to highlight British Airways management's "brutal" treatment of thousands of staff during Covid.
Air industry unions are to socially distant lobby Harrogate's MP to protest about BA's treatment of staff.Air industry unions are to socially distant lobby Harrogate's MP to protest about BA's treatment of staff.
Air industry unions are to socially distant lobby Harrogate's MP to protest about BA's treatment of staff.

The lobby, which is part of a national campaign by the Unite union, is scheduled to take place outside the Conservative Party Association at 57 East Parade in Harrogate tomorrow, Tuesday from 11am to 12.15pm.

British Airways workers say they want Andrew Jones MP to join more than 280 MPs who have already pledged to review BA’s privileged landing slots if the airline doesn’t end what they say is the major airline's "brutal ‘fire and rehire" approach to thousands of its staff.

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MPs from across the political divide are now calling for a review of the airline’s privileged landing and take-off slots as BA seeks to fire its workforce and rehire those that survive on inferior contracts.

A recent poll showed backing from the British public for tough action against BA over its plans, with voters giving support for the introduction of legislation to strip the nation's flag carrying airline of its privileged access to UK landing slots.

A Survation poll of over 2,000 people, including more than 1,219 BA passengers across the UK, revealed that 69% of all those surveyed believed the Government should review the UK's current arrangements on landing slots (vs just 16% saying the Government should not) with 76% of Conservative voters backing a review.

Unite executive officer Sharon Graham said: "Many thousands of BA workers are being subjected to the most brutal ‘fire and rehire strategy. British Airways are a national disgrace and actions against them will continue.

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"So far, over 280 MPs have added their name to our call for BA’s privileged landing slots to be reviewed and the numbers continue to grow.

"The BA scorched earth approach will have consequences."

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/467094

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