Epping Forest councillors and campaigners are calling for their MP’s support over British Airways ‘brutal fire and rehire’ coronavirus book-balancing policy.
British Airways workers are calling on Eleanor Laing MP to join more than 240 MPs who have pledged to review BA’s privileged landing slots if the airline doesn’t end its ‘fire and rehire’ policy.
MPs from across the political divide are calling for a review of the airline’s privileged landing and take-off slots as BA seeks to fire its workforce and rehire those that survive on inferior contracts.
BA Betrayal campaigners are calling for Eleanor Laing to back their cause and increase the pressure on the Government to act.
Independent Epping Forest District councillor Stephen Murray said: “The idea of a company in the 21st century firing and rehiring is just not acceptable. I’m here to show my support and I’m calling on Eleanor Laing to do likewise and sign the pledge”
A Survation poll of more than 2,000 people, including over 1,219 BA passengers across the UK, revealed that 69 per cent of all those surveyed believed the government should review the nation's flag carrying airline of its privileged access to UK landing slots.
Unite executive officer Sharon Graham said: "Many thousands of BA workers are being subjected to the most brutal ‘fire and rehire strategy. British Airways are a national disgrace and actions against them will continue.
"So far, over 240 MPs have added their name to our call for BA’s privileged landing slots to be reviewed and the numbers continue to grow. BA scorched earth approach will have consequences."
A BA spokesman said: “For more than 100 years British Airways has been flying millions of people around the world. Today that world remains largely closed.
“This is the biggest challenge the airline and our industry has ever faced. Sadly, the global pandemic has resulted in job losses across every industry. Many airlines have already made thousands of staff redundant.
“We are not immune to this crisis. We have to adapt to survive, so we will continue with the proper, lawful consultative process and we will keep inviting union representatives to discuss our proposals to the serious challenges we face.
“It is not too late to find solutions – as we have done with Balpa – and to protect jobs.”
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