What's the fuss about BA staff suspensions

British Airways (BA) suspended 15 staff in February over internet postings about a list of ‘strike-breakers’ on Facebook, online forums and over email.

The 15 flight attendants in question allegedly wrote comments online and sent private emails about the list, which was said to contain details of around 40 pilots who had volunteered to work as cabin stewards should a strike be called.

BA confirmed that a number of staff had been placed on suspension while they investigated the allegations. “We will not tolerate intimidation of our staff and any reports of staff being threatened will be thoroughly investigated,” said a BA spokesman.

BA also asked that the authors of a number of “inappropriate comments” posted on the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association’s (BASSA) website, which is an arm of Unite, were revealed.

Unite assistant general secretary Len McClusky accused BA bosses of a “cyberspace witch-hunt” against cabin crew. He said: “This bears all the hallmarks of a management drunk on its own machismo, regardless of the damage done to the airline’s image and reputation.

Threats of bullying

Prior to news of the suspensions, a notice board placed in BA headquarters had to be taken down after just five days after some of the comments breached BA’s own anti-bullying policy. The notice board was part of a programme of internal communications called “Backing BA” and was supposed to allow staff to express their commitment to the airline. The suspensions also came in the middle of the strike ballot, which closed on 22 February, where BA’s 13,000 cabin crew voted 81% in favour of industrial action, 10% less than the vote in late 2009.

BA has threatened to take away the provision of generous travel perks for those staff members who take part in the strike, which is due to take place in March.