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British Airways’ brutal plans to cut up to 12,000 workers have been called “illegal and immoral” by a union boss.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey demanded that BA withdraw its threat to fire more than one in four employees.
There is shock and anger at the sudden moment of Tuesday’s announcement, the same day as the funeral of a cabin crew chief who died of coronavirus.
It occurs when another BA crew could be putting their health at risk by manning repatriation flights and those who bring vital PPE equipment to front-line workers.
BA owner International Airlines Group blamed a crash of coronavirus on air travel for the proposed layoffs, warning it could take “several years” for passenger numbers to recover.
(Image: PA)
However, unlike other airlines, BA has not even asked for a government bailout.
An IAG spokeswoman declined to comment on why this was the case.
Rival fighter Virgin Atlantic has borrowed £ 500 million and easyJet has loaned £ 600 million.
It was also unknown why the layoffs are affecting only BA staff, rather other IAG airlines, such as the Spanish airlines Iberia and Vueling.
The redundancy plans have been drawn up as BA receives millions of pounds from taxpayers for laying off thousands of employees.
(Image: Andy Stenning / Daily Mirror)
McCluskey said: “BA’s decision to ignore the principle and intent of the job retention scheme and instead dump 12,000 workers on the junk heap is illegal and immoral.
“It is illegal because these workers are being denied meaningful consultation that the law and common decency say they are owed.
“It is immoral because BA has been taking taxpayers’ money for the past few weeks, money supplied on the condition that the company put workers on hold while the industry reformed.”
Regarding crew protection equipment, BA said: “We follow all guidance from the UK Government and global health authorities, including Public Health England and the World Health Organization.
“We have taken several measures to greatly reduce contact between clients and crew, and personal protective equipment is available to them.
“Like other forms of transportation, we keep vital ties open: we repatriate customers and guarantee the supply of key supplies like medicine and food.
“Our teams are doing an amazing job.”
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