· Secret 'hush money' from T&G and British Airways
· Wildcat action paralysed Heathrow and cost £42m
David Hencke, Westminster correspondent
Monday September 18, 2006
The Guardian
Two former shop stewards who brought British Airways operations from Heathrow to a halt for two days last summer in a wildcat strike are to receive secret "hush money" payments worth £600,000 from the Transport & General Workers' Union and the airline.
The shop stewards, Pat Breslin and Mark Fisher, were alleged to be following union orders by organising the illegal action as part of the T&G's high-profile campaign against Gate Gourmet, the airline's main supplier of in-flight meals.
The dispute ran for weeks and became a cause celebre for trade unionists demanding better pay and conditions for the poorest workers.
The T&G workers went on strike after Gate Gourmet announced plans to sack 667 staff members because BA had cut back on its catering contract. The illegal action brought BA's baggage handling to a halt, costing the airline £42m.
The dispute ended in compromise with workers getting enhanced redundancy payments. Workers from Gate Gourmet were feted at last year's TUC conference, addressing the T&G's annual dinner.
Mr Breslin and Mr Fisher were also sacked, although BA subsequently offered Mr Breslin 1p compensation and Mr Fisher £90,000. The action put both men at risk of being sued by the airline.
The union could also have been sued for the cost of the strike if BA could prove any involvement of its officials in urging the baggage handlers to strike.
The sacked men, who are barred from talking to the press, received legal advice saying that they could sue the T&G for negligence for ordering them to take the illegal action. They could also sue the union for breach of contract, harassment and claim for psychiatric or other injury as a result of losing their jobs.
A deal was struck between the men and the union last week, guaranteeing them a total payout worth £600,000 in return for signing a confidentiality agreement keeping the sum secret. They and their wives have also pledged to keep the details surrounding the dispute secret.
Mr Breslin will receive £300,000 and Mr Fisher will get £176,000 and a job with the union paid at £50,000 a year. This includes the £90,000 from BA, split between them. The national executive of the union will be told of the deal today.
Full
story
So causing your employer to lose £40 odd Million look like a good little earner nowdays
