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Unite Anger At Ba Surveillance Of Crew

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010 ... ce-dispute

Unite anger at alleged BA surveillance of cabin crew

Union considers fresh strike ballot over "human rights violation * Dan Milmo * The Observer, Sunday 5 September 2010

Unite anger at alleged BA surveillance of cabin crew.

The Unite trade union is considering a new strike ballot of British Airways cabin crew over the airline's alleged anti-union activities.

The move comes amid allegations from Unite that BA has subjected at least two crew members to surveillance at their own homes and has prevented shop stewards from representing staff.

Officials are expected to raise the issue at a meeting of Unite-affiliated cabin crew at London's Kempton Park racecourse tomorrow, where cabin crew will wear yellow ribbons in solidarity with colleagues who have been sacked or suspended since the dispute began. However, Unite's joint general secretaries, Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson, are holding out for a peace deal.

A dispute over reductions in costs is mired in wrangles over sanctions against staff who joined 22 days of strikes earlier this year, and disciplinary proceedings against flight attendants over alleged misdemeanours during the dispute.

The latest allegation from Unite's main cabin crew branch, Bassa, focuses on BA's security department, called Asset Protection.

According to last month's Bassa newsletter, two members facing disciplinary action were followed to their homes. "Two more crew members reported to the police that they had been the subject of an ongoing surveillance at their own homes by BA's shadowy 'Asset Protection' department," the newsletter says, adding that members have seen photographic evidence of this.

Last week, Bassa appealed for cabin crew to volunteer as shop stewards because it has lost key members to sackings or suspensions, including the official in charge of representing staff in disciplinary hearings.

BA declined to comment on the surveillance allegations. A spokesperson said: "Investigations into any allegations are conducted under the company's disciplinary procedures, which are agreed with all our unions, including Unite."

A spokesperson for Unite said: "BA is crossing a line. It is moving on from violating people's rights at work to violating their human rights."