BA pulling out of Gatwick ‘throwing staff on scrapheap’

BA pulling out of Gatwick ‘throwing staff on scrapheap’

Workers suffering serious mental health issues over prospect of job cuts says GMB Union. British Airway’s behaviour as it pulls out of Gatwick Airport amounts to ‘throwing us on the scrapheap, says GMB members.

Britain’s flagship carrier announced they are pulling out of Gatwick with threats of hundreds of redundancies and transferring staff to one of its sister companies, Gatwick Ground Services (GGS).

GMB believes plans by BA to transfer London Gatwick ground staff to GGS is a back-door way of tearing up members’ terms and conditions.

Despite receiving millions of pounds of UK government money to furlough their workforce, BA appears to be using the impact of coronavirus as an excuse to outsource the workforce and slash terms and conditions.

Nick Hallett, GMB branch secretary for BA at Gatwick, said: “My colleagues and I are totally devastated by what they are planning to do to us.

“Many of us have given our whole working lives to BA and now it’s like they want to throw us on the scrap heap.

“We just can’t understand why British Airways doesn’t want to work with us to come up with solutions like we’ve done in the past. In 2015 ground staff even took unpaid leave and agreed a three year pay freeze to help the company out.

“I have had countless colleagues contact me who are suffering from serious mental health issues because of what’s happening.

“People are faced with the prospect of losing their homes and many haven’t slept properly for weeks – they deserve better.”

Picture of James Graham

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.

Newsletter

Stay informed. Stay ahead. To get the latest air cargo news and industry trends delivered directly to your inbox, sign up now!

related articles

Paving the way for a digital revolution

Air cargo rates rise to a 2024 high

Global air cargo demand maintains strong momentum in November