Aerospace |
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British AirwaysLast week brought lots of labor action affecting the aerospace industry, the most notable being at British Airways. Cabin crews voting to strike weeks before, carried out their threat last week causing system-wide disruptions during three days of walkout action. Members of the Transport and General Workers Union engaged a 72-hour strike last Wednesday that union officials stated would cost the airline dearly - perhaps several hundred million pounds. Flights were delayed or cancelled through Saturday wreaking havoc with thousands of passengers on holiday or business.At issue is British Airways' plan to save 42 million pounds in costs and restructure workers' pay. Still in dispute at British is the plan by the airline to sell a catering unit at Heathrow. The catering staff will decide this week whether or not to call a 24-hour strike. Talks between company and union began last Friday. Continental AirlinesPilots at Continental conducted informational pickets in the U.S. last week in support of their ongoing talks with airline management. The pilots have been in discussions with Continental since April 2. Continental has been one of the most progressive airlines in terms of employee benefits as a result of management moves said to have been initiated by chairman Gordon Bethune. Since taking over at the airline Bethune has announced a number of motivational programs including profit-sharing and employee recognition. Still, pilots union representatives contend that their members are paid below industry average. United AirlinesUnited flight attendants continued their informational picketing in several cities in the U.S. last week, using a campaign they call CHAOS. Talks between union and airline are currently in recess and are scheduled to resume no later than July 10. The Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, and United Airlines have been in contract negotiations for more than a year. Northwest AirlinesThe union representing Northwest pilots last week requested a US federal mediator assist them in talks with the airline. The union claims that 11 months of talks have gained "little or no progress on substantive contract issues." SpanairThe union representing pilots of this low fare airline have called for strikes this week and during one week in August to protest "persecution" of union activity by the airline. Spanair offers inexpensive fares in competition with Spain's major carrier, Iberia. Spanair flies international routes as well as domestic flights. |
