BA faces industrial action
By politics.co.uk staff
British Airways is facing the possibility of strike action after the company announced it would cut 1,700 jobs and freeze pay.
The airline has warned that the cuts are essential to ensure its survival – the company expects to make a big loss for the second year running and has been badly hit by the global economic downturn.
A spokesman for the airline said: “Without changes, we will continue to lose more money with every month that passes.
“It is essential we make ourselves more efficient if we are to ensure our long-term survival.”
The job cuts will involve 1,000 cabin crew taking voluntary redundancy. A reduction in flights and new working methods will account for the other 700 job losses the airline has said.
However, Unite union have warned that the company’s unilateral decision to implement the job cuts has made industrial action a possibility.
Unions are due to meet today to decide on a course of action.
