BALPA's statement:
Please see below a statement from the British Airline Pilots’ Association on the eve of industrial action involving Spanish pilots employed by Iberia and represented by the Spanish Pilots’ Association, Sepla. Spanish pilots are due to take industrial action from 4-8 March 2013.
We are disappointed that Iberia missed a golden opportunity to reach an agreement on jobs and cost-saving measures with the Spanish trade unions representing pilots, cabin crew and ground staff. The airline’s disproportionate response – 3,800 compulsory job losses and pay cuts – has inevitably triggered a new round of strikes as Iberia employees understandably seek to protect their livelihoods.
BALPA is now seriously concerned that Iberia’s inability to secure support amongst its own employees for its restructuring plans will engulf the Spanish flag carrier in industrial turmoil for months to come and inflict lasting damage on its business.
BALPA's own recent experience of helping redefine and rebuild the BA brand is that it is through a joint approach built on mutual respect that success comes. That is a key missing ingredient in the Iberia dispute and one that has to be found quickly. BALPA will offer what help it can to help the parties to that end.
BALPA stresses that it will resist any management move to draw BA pilots into Iberia operations in this dispute. Such a move has the potential to backfire hugely and, rather than help solve a dispute in Spain, is more likely to create another in Britain and divert BA from the effort and attention it has recently played in rebuilding BA.
We therefore call on Iberia and IAG management to reconsider their proposals and redouble their efforts to reach an agreement with the Spanish trade unions.