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BA suspends staff over web posts | BA suspends staff over web posts |
(about 3 hours later) | |
British Airways has been accused of "a cyberspace witch-hunt" after it suspended 15 cabin crew members. | British Airways has been accused of "a cyberspace witch-hunt" after it suspended 15 cabin crew members. |
The airline said it had acted over "inappropriate postings" made on the website of union Unite, adding it would not tolerate "intimidation of staff". | The airline said it had acted over "inappropriate postings" made on the website of union Unite, adding it would not tolerate "intimidation of staff". |
But Unite, which is currently balloting 13,0000 BA staff on strike action, says the alleged comments were made on Facebook and not on its website. | But Unite, which is currently balloting 13,0000 BA staff on strike action, says the alleged comments were made on Facebook and not on its website. |
The union would "vigorously defend" its members, a spokesman added. | The union would "vigorously defend" its members, a spokesman added. |
Unite said it doubted the suspensions were solely to do with internet posts. | Unite said it doubted the suspensions were solely to do with internet posts. |
The two parties are locked in what is an increasingly bitter and tense fight for the company's future. | The two parties are locked in what is an increasingly bitter and tense fight for the company's future. |
BA wants to make big changes in the terms and conditions of its staff. | |
Cuts | |
The company wants three quarters of its crew to accept pay rises of 2-7% this year and a pay freeze in 2010. | |
It also wants 3,000 staff to switch to part-time working, along with a reduction in onboard crewing levels to 14 from 15 on long-haul flights from London's Heathrow airport. | |
A 12-day strike that had been planned over Christmas was halted after the High Court said it was illegal following concerns about how the ballot had been organised. | A 12-day strike that had been planned over Christmas was halted after the High Court said it was illegal following concerns about how the ballot had been organised. |
The new strike ballot among cabin crew will open on 25 January and conclude on 22 February, the union recently said it would not strike over the Easter period. | The new strike ballot among cabin crew will open on 25 January and conclude on 22 February, the union recently said it would not strike over the Easter period. |