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25/07/2003
GMB 'frustrated' at BA talks deadlock
The GMB union voiced its "frustration" that no agreement has yet been reached at talks between British Airways (BA) and the unions.
This comes after a further night of discussion at the conciliation service, Acas, which yielded little progress.
BA staff at Heathrow's Terminal One downed tools last Friday in an unofficial strike in opposition to plans by the management to introduce Automatic Time Recording (ATR) swipe cards. Workers believe that the information collected via the swipe cards will be used to restructure annual hours and shift rotas.
Kevin Curran, GMB General Secretary, said that he was disappointed talks were not productive and that BA had failed to "comprehend the position of the staff".
He added: "At all stages of these negotiations, the GMB and BA staff have been clear that they want the imposition of ATR (swipe cards) lifted.
“The concerns of BA staff over changes to shift patterns and working practices are real and genuine. Our members are not traditionally militant workers. Many of them have family responsibilities and they are saying to us that they want to retain some balance between work and home lives. This is very much a dispute of the 21st century.
“We are hoping to meet the company and the other unions but it will take major movement from the company to resolve this dispute. If the company does not lift the imposition and address the real issues there will be a ballot on industrial action.”
The head of BA Rod Eddington has issued an apology to customers over the severe disruption to services.
The statement of apology reads: "I would like to apologise unreservedly to those thousands of holidaymakers and business passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted as a result of unofficial industrial action over the last few days at London Heathrow Airport.
"We recognise that we have not provided the level of service that our customers have come to expect from British Airways.
"An apology is cold comfort to those people who have had to wait hours and, in some cases, days to travel with us. We are working around the clock to get the operation working normally again.
"Once again, I am sorry for any problems you have encountered."
Negotiations are set to continue next Tuesday, and current advice for BA passengers is to turn up as normal at departure desks.
At the height of the disruptions around 80,000 people were in a backlog for flights.
(GMcG)
This comes after a further night of discussion at the conciliation service, Acas, which yielded little progress.
BA staff at Heathrow's Terminal One downed tools last Friday in an unofficial strike in opposition to plans by the management to introduce Automatic Time Recording (ATR) swipe cards. Workers believe that the information collected via the swipe cards will be used to restructure annual hours and shift rotas.
Kevin Curran, GMB General Secretary, said that he was disappointed talks were not productive and that BA had failed to "comprehend the position of the staff".
He added: "At all stages of these negotiations, the GMB and BA staff have been clear that they want the imposition of ATR (swipe cards) lifted.
“The concerns of BA staff over changes to shift patterns and working practices are real and genuine. Our members are not traditionally militant workers. Many of them have family responsibilities and they are saying to us that they want to retain some balance between work and home lives. This is very much a dispute of the 21st century.
“We are hoping to meet the company and the other unions but it will take major movement from the company to resolve this dispute. If the company does not lift the imposition and address the real issues there will be a ballot on industrial action.”
The head of BA Rod Eddington has issued an apology to customers over the severe disruption to services.
The statement of apology reads: "I would like to apologise unreservedly to those thousands of holidaymakers and business passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted as a result of unofficial industrial action over the last few days at London Heathrow Airport.
"We recognise that we have not provided the level of service that our customers have come to expect from British Airways.
"An apology is cold comfort to those people who have had to wait hours and, in some cases, days to travel with us. We are working around the clock to get the operation working normally again.
"Once again, I am sorry for any problems you have encountered."
Negotiations are set to continue next Tuesday, and current advice for BA passengers is to turn up as normal at departure desks.
At the height of the disruptions around 80,000 people were in a backlog for flights.
(GMcG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
