PPRuNe Forums - OpenSkies cabin crew want union

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Openskies cabin crew are fighting for a union and being fought all the way by openskies management.

Quote:

Dear Robin

Open Skies – trade union recognition for Flight Attendants

With reference to the above it is with real concern that I write to you concerning the approach being taken by OpenSkies towards an approach to the National Mediation Board in Washington for union recognition by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) in the United States.

Representing some 13,000 cabin crew within British Airways and over 25,000 workers across the wider company, Unite has a very strong relationship with BA and one that we certainly do not regard as being limited in scope or influence to its United Kingdom based operations or indeed its directly employed workforce. We obviously keep a very close eye on BA employment practices across the globe, whether in respect of BA International Cabin Crew, ground or customer services operations or via its subsidiaries and are in regular contact with colleagues across the globe on such matters.

In the twenty first century where corporate and social responsibilities are high on the agenda for all, good industrial relations and respectful relationships are integral to business success. In such a climate we do not expect BA or any of its subsidiary operations to operate on the basis of a ‘toleration’ of union organization where necessary but hostile opposition where possible. We expect BA and its subsidiaries to respect workers rights wherever it may operate and to provide for union recognition where workers freely determine it in their interests, irrespective of local labour legislation and/or employment practices.

We do not expect OpenSkies to oppose union recognition or interfere with workers free choice. We do not expect you to lodge legal challenges to the NMB through lawyers with established credentials in union avoidance and we do not expect you to use spurious rationale for your opposition such as your status as a start up carrier or your non-compliance with FAA Regulations for US based crews given your UK Certification.

We will continue to both monitor the situation in the US with regard to open skies and offer any assistance necessary to our colleagues in the IBT during this process. I am also in direct contact with our French and Dutch counterparts who are equally disturbed by your actions and will be meeting with them shortly to discuss our wider international position should your actions with respect to union recognition continue to cause concern.

I trust my concerns have been clear and that your actions being representative of our national carrier in this respect, you will review your position, withdraw your opposition to the application lodged with the NMB and provide facilities for a free and democratic determination of union recognition by the workers involved themselves, without interference and with a genuine respect for their decision.

Yours sincerely

Steve Turner
National Secretary – Civil Air Transport

Copy Willie Walsh – CEO British Airways
Dale Moss – MD OpenSkies