Heathrow Strikers get Union Payout

[ORAC]

The Times: Heathrow strikers get £500,000

Two former shop stewards dismissed by British Airways after organising the wildcat strike that brought Heathrow operations to a halt for two days last summer will share £500,000 from their union, according to reports.

Pat Breslin and Mark Fisher were alleged to be following orders from the Transport and General Workers’ Union by organising the action as part of the union’s campaign against Gate Gourmet, the airline’s supplier of in-flight meals. The action cost the airline £42 million. The union could have been sued for the cost of the strike if BA had proved any involvement by its officials.

According to The Guardian, a deal was struck last week guaranteeing the two men the payout in return for signing a confidentiality agreement that prevents them discussing details surrounding the dispute.

The union said last night that it could not comment. A spokesman for BA said that it would not take any further action.

[Rollingthunder]

BBC says £600,000. Guess I'm in the wrong business. Only ever met two shop stewards I respected and none from flight kitchens - stupid pumped up prats. Create havoc in the industry and, here you go, go buy a house. Cheers. Wonder what the regular union members will think of this.

[ORAC]

Guardian article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/airlines/story/0,,1874848,00.html)...

............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.

A copy of the agreement, seen by the Guardian, says both of them "will make no statement in relation to his involvement in or knowledge of any meeting of trade union representatives, relating to the events which occurred in relation to BA in 2005 and which caused his dismissal from employment at BA, without receiving in advance the written consent of the general secretary of the union, approving the terms of the statement to be made".

They are barred from disclosing any details of the union's handling of the Gate Gourmet dispute without the general secretary's written approval. They have also agreed to forgo using the union's grievance procedures, including putting a complaint to the certification officer who adjudicates on breaches of union rules.

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...........