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BA - Cabin Crew Manager Tribunal

Being reported in a few papers this morning.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ama-queen.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Telegraph

David Andersson-Wood, 45, allegedly had to endure years of harassment including taunts about his sexuality while working for the global airline.
He claims he was overlooked for promotion and received desultory pay rises with minimal bonuses despite performing well in his £47,000 a year ground-based job.

Mr Andersson-Wood, who lives in a civil partnership, had the role of improving the customer service provided by BA's airborne staff.
But he told the tribunal in Reading that his own circumstances deteriorated in 2000 when Ann Brown took over as the new Fleet Manager.

He explained that he contacted her to discuss harassment he was receiving after investigating a notorious rape case between two BA cabin crew in Washington DC in 1999.

Mr Andersson-Wood said in a statement: "Ann Brown responded with offensive comments about my sexuality, stating that I should stop being a 'drama queen'.

"I asked her what she meant by this and she said 'You know what I mean, your lot over-dramatise everything'.

"She went on to mention that she had the ability to influence my pay, performance ranking and career prospects. I found these comments particularly disturbing."

He claimed that at a later meeting he told Ms Brown, who no longer works for BA, that he found her comments offensive.

She allegedly replied that she found his sexual practices distasteful and a relationship with a homosexual colleague was also branded "unhealthy".
Mr Andersson-Wood, from Richmond, Surrey, also claims he was treated harshly after taking time off work with stress.

He said: "Having received no contact with Ann Brown during my absence, I telephoned her to discuss my return to work.

"She shouted 'Don't you dare come back to work until you are A1 fit. I haven't time to support you, and the rest of the team are too busy'. The tone of this comment was particularly aggressive."

During a 19 year career with BA, Mr Andersson-Wood filed two grievance complaints in a bid to improve pay rises and bonuses which he discovered were lower than those of immediate colleagues.

A human resources manager allegedly responded by saying: "If you want to achieve a market level of pay, go and work for a pharmaceutical company."

BA is contesting the claim for unfair constructive dismissal, discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, sexual discrimination and equal pay discrimination.

The hearing continues.

My goodness....BA has got to be the most gay friendly and politically correct company in Britain. Sounds like a chancer to me. However, with no cap to the damages that an industrial tribunal can award for discrimination, I suspect this may not be the last claim that we see.

HB Do you work for BA?

BA may be gay-friendly in the air but it is a very different story on the ground. I recently did a secondment where, during the diversity training my trainer (who hailed from the diverse epicentre of Hounslow) told me that gays disgust her but she has to tolerate it due to legislation.

Once online, I had to endure systematic bullying from a supervisor until it affected my health. Eventually, I was re-deployed into another secondment which suited me better and was better paid. The supervisor was cautioned as there were multiple complaints about this person but no further action was taken.

I don't know the ins and outs of this particular case but given some of the fleet managers I have met over the years, this claim from Mr Andersson-Wood does not surprise me.

Dont base your opinions on what you hear in the press!!! They have only picked up on one small aspect of the full story. There is a lot more to this story then meets the eye!

Please don't tell us half a story and expect to take your word for it!

Is this the same Ann Brown that is now the Head of Cabin Crew at Thomsonfly??

oh yes the very same and she works beneath K Gissing director for cabin services who is renowned in certain 'Pink' circles! intersting combination!

Like I said, I'm not commenting about this particular case. I am challenging Hunterboy's claim that BA is gay-friendly and politically correct. It's simply not the case for many areas within the company.

The 'chancer', following the treatment that was allegedly meted out to him by Ann Brown (the now head of cabin services of another airline) spent time in the Priory.

The action was self funded, no costs are awarded by Employment Tribunal so to make an accusation of being a 'chancer' is unfounded and malicious.

During the hearing Ann did not appear as British Airways refused to call her, even though they admitted that they know where she is so that the could have served a summons if they had so wished.

A Fleet Manager who worked with the claimant gave evidence as to the alleged culture and atmosphere in the airline, as well as on specific treatment that she allegedly witnessed between Ann Brown and the claimant.

A cabin crew TU rep was also present who allegedly witnessed an episode whereby the claimant was publicly abused in a open forum by Ann Brown. For a BA cabin crew rep to stick up for a manager it must've been something serious.

DUring the trial, the acting head of Inflight Services had his testament discredited due to his 'confusion' about a part of his evidence according to the summing up of the claimant's barrister.

"Dont base your opinions on what you hear in the press!!! They have only picked up on one small aspect of the full story. There is a lot more to this story then meets the eye!"

And how would you know that? Your last sentence infers that you have knowledge of the case, which unless you have been attending Employment Tribunal all week, you certainly do not.

I knew David from his time at BA.
He was one of the best, if not the best c.crew managers I have met/worked for in my 26 years or so of flying. He was in tune with crews needs, treated us as valued individuals, was incredibly knowledgable, switched on & pro BA. He was no ones fool.
And NO, I'm not gay, as if that makes a difference.
For him to take BA to court, he must feel he has a very strong case, as he knows the system well.
I wish him well in whatever path he takes next.
He is an assett that BA were fools to let go.

I stand by my original statement that BA is in the top ten of UK companies for being culturally /racially diverse. Personally, I do not tolerate any racism or bigotry in my presence at work. However, I also wonder if many people that complain have worked or lived elsewhere. Living abroad as I do now, and having a few contacts in other airlines,I am aghast at the different attitudes to colour, race, religion and sexuality. The UK and BA in particular is up there for being one of the most tolerant. Ever wonder why many gay european guys work for BA?

HB I try asking again do you work for BA?

I take your point, Hunterboy but things are VERY different at Waterside. There are certainly no gay Europeans in MY department at the moment. It's a very different atmosphere than on the aircraft. It may be diverse in the nationalities and backgrounds of who is employed but that is not reflective of tolerance of sexual orientation. No one would come from Europe to work for BA at Waterside for the 'freedom' because there is none.

I've also lived off-shore (and I'm Irish, so I grew up with oppression in my home country) and it's pretty much the same as my experience at Waterside. Remember, a lot of people from these anti-gay countries work within the company and bring a lot of ingrained intolerance with them. They can't say it out loud but it is very much implied.

Of course, homophobia is not limited to those of a non British/Irish background. Speaking from experience, working on the ramp is not a place to be 'out and proud' either.

The company might proudly declare it diversity - what company wouldn't - and they may even have a presence at gay pride. The same can also be said for the Police and as we know, homophobia within the force is an acknowledged problem.

OzzieO ....yes I do work for BA...I'm in Flt Ops.

Homophobia is not a problem within the police force I now work for - the largest non-metropolitan force in the UK.

Diversity is embraced in all roles in our force, so maybe it's time to reduce the sweeping statements which have no direct relevance to the thread overall := , and perhaps consider a new employer :)

cheers ;)
FF

HB Thanks for your reply.

Not sure how long you have been with BA but do you remember the "SAS" at LGW?

How long were they allowed to make gay guys lifes a misery down at LGW before they were disbanded by LGW IFS management?

I do remember the SAS at LGW but was unaware of their "other" activities. It sounds like that once the issue was brought to BA's attention, they did the right thing. BA do try and comply with the law (price fixing notwithstanding). While this may not be much consolation to any body on the receiving end of racist or sexist jibes, I genuinely believe you would have to go a long way to find another company more gay friendly.There are not many companies that would employ transsexuals, for instance.

(If this is too personal, I shall be happy to edit as necessary)

I must admit, I have never noticed any problems with homophobia in BA. Im gay, my manager is a typical laddish straight lad and even he was supportive of me when I had a break up and found coming to work impossible. Very accommodating and wasnt afraid to ask questions about the relationship in a supportive way.

Its probably more an individual homophobia then an institutional homophobia.