Len McCluskey blows his cool and announces plans for British Airways cabin crew strikes

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If you were wondering how the discussions between the UNITE union and British Airways were going, given that British Airways pilots have (subject to a vote) secured a deal with the airline to minimise job cuts, the answer seems to be “could be better”.

Len McCluskey, General Secretary of UNITE, released this letter last night that he has sent to Alex Cruz, British Airways Chief Executive.

I should say that none of the cabin crew I have spoken with have actually seen this ‘timetable’ to fire all staff on 7th August. There IS a process for voluntary redundancy (staff must submit reasons by today for why they should be retained, voluntary redundancy and part-time working applications must be submitted by 3rd August, the result of the selection process for choosing those who remain is 7th August) but this is not the same as deciding to fire all staff unilaterally on 7th August.

See what you make of it …..

Len McCluskey BA

Dear Alex,

I am in receipt of your email dated 26 July and I am both staggered and offended by your arrogance.

In the opening paragraph you state “it has taken this long for you to realise and accept this”. This reference infers that I am only now understanding the financial difficulties that British Airways face. How dare you suggest such a thing. I have attempted for months to try to get you to understand the need to treat your workers with respect and dignity and this is the only way to get through this pandemic together. It is your staff, not you, that have for many years, built the good name of British Airways and contributed billions of pounds to its profitability year on year.

Your decision to adopt a scorched earth strategy with a ‘Fire and Rehire’ approach was always despicable. You and your management team have dragged the good name of British Airways through the mud. Have you ever asked yourself why so many MPs from all parties, at the highest level, have condemned British Airways or why newspaper and media outlets have been appalled at your actions? Perhaps you don’t understand that the British sense of ‘Fair Play’ runs deep in the psyche of the British people.

I am advised that no sooner are certain issues on process agreed then the company management renege on them, it beggars the question as to who is running the show – so much so that it is my intention to seek meetings with Antonio Vazquez Romero and IAG.

Also, please don’t insult me by asking ”how many of my members I have spoken to?” When you know full well that you have received thousands of heartfelt emails from your staff that you have ignored and or deleted without even reading. My shop stewards and reps speak to members constantly, dealing with the stress, anxiety and heart ache caused by your management style and strategy. Instead of criticising Unite reps, you should actually listen to them, instead of pretending to do so in order that you can tick some consultative process box and you might, at long last, realise that the only way to have a lasting peace and avoid months/years of industrial unrest is to work with us to achieve an acceptable way forward.

You have now published a timetable to Fire and Rehire thousands of your workforce on 7 August, we will work every hour between now and then, to convince you not to do so.

You can take this letter as our commitment to do that. However, you can also take this an intention to defend our members by moving towards industrial action with immediate effect.

Yours sincerely,

LEN McCLUSKEY”

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This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

Nick says:

28 Jul28 July 13:05

I for one 100% agree and support Mr McCluskey with this. I thought the email was excellent – before we all jump to conclusions… I hope Mr Cruz’s original email could be published. We don’t yet know what was originally communicated to Unite Union.
- Opus says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 13:20
  
  I’m sure there was no subtle xenophobia in it and from this email its obvious its not as bad as this. He seems to be riled up because Mr Cruz says He’s only become aware of the situation BA is in. Honestly, that’s even nice. I don’t think he has a clue what situation BA is in, ultimately, he’s looking for what will benefit him obviously
- Grant says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 13:54
  
  Regardless of your views on the wider issue, objectively speaking I’m not sure how anyone could think that the letter is helping the members that Mr McCluskey claims to represent.
- AJA says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 14:30
  
  Nick I think you are in a minority of one on this. The letter was petulant and unprofessional. It does not help his cause to accuse Alex Cruz of merely being a puppet and claim that “it is my intention to seek meetings with Antonio Vazquez Romero and IAG”. Alex Cruz is the chairman and CEO of BA whether Len McCluskey likes it or not..Talk about insulting someone. Does he think Antonio Vazques Romero is going to slap Alex Cruz’s wrists and tell him to stand in the naughty corner?
  
  The entire letter is a rant by Len, insulting Alex Cruz by implying the Spaniard doesn’t understand the “British psyche” and sense of fair play! There is not a single constructive suggestion in the letter. His only suggestion is to say that Unite will try to convince BA not to fire and rehire thousands of staff on 7 August or Unite will initiate industrial action.
  - Stoneman says:
    
    28 Jul28 July 14:37
    
    it is worse than that for he misuses “infers” when of course he meant “implies”. Yuck.
    - AJA says:
      
      28 Jul28 July 14:42
      
      and who says “it beggars the question”? 🙂
      - Stoneman says:
        
        28 Jul28 July 15:15
        
        Startling decline in the standard of Trade Unionism.
      - Josh says:
        
        28 Jul28 July 15:33
        
        A 20-something who has been cushioned through university by MS Word spellcheck
  - Dubious says:
    
    28 Jul28 July 15:54
    
    Is Alex Cruz Chairman of the Board too?
    Seems a bit excessive if he’s on his own remuneration committee?
    - insider says:
      
      28 Jul28 July 16:11
      
      I believe he is an employee of IAG, so his renumeration is set by the IAG renumeration committee
- Paul74 says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 14:33
  
  Indeed.
- Paul says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 19:11
  
  Nick
  I can only assume that you work for the union. Unions are there to defend their staff and ianyone thinks that this letter or approach to industrial relations will help any BA staff is almost laughable
J says:

28 Jul28 July 13:31

Solidarity with BA staff, joined up industrial action across all fleets, pilots and ground crew would very quickly defeat Cruz/Walsh. Learn from the French.
- insider says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 14:10
  
  To what end? Bankrupt the company and then reset ALL their T&C’s to lowest common denominator?
  - J says:
    
    28 Jul28 July 16:18
    
    No govt is letting BA go bankrupt – could end up nationalised though (which wouldn’t be a bad result for Len!)
- Andrew says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 14:13
  
  No chance of that.
  
  Haven’t Unite declared a “Climate Emergency” so there’ll be no burning tyres or cathedrals. Indeed, if you believe everything that Unite say, then Grangemouth should be shut down, BMW Cowley closed and flights grounded permanently.
  
  But then they happily publish an essentially “we hate bankers” piece in every rag whilst dipping the pockets of bank staff for their subs.
Chris Heyes says:

28 Jul28 July 14:26

I’m Laughing like mad at “ALL” the comments on here look back at all the comments a couple of months ago and compare the comments today a total about turn’
The only thing wrong is (but he couldn’t because of the Aug deadline) he should be planning the industrial action for next year, strikes next year not this would be much more effective
Also to all those who say they won’t ok don’t moan when it happens because Len has no alternative
Although if i was him i’d have waited until 7th Aug or even next Easter
The fact he has acted now looks to me that he thinks his tactic will work around the 6th Aug (who knows maybe it will but i doubt it) i think he will have no altenative to organize action next year
- DW says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 17:55
  
  i am confused by this comment because won’t all the staff already be on reduced terms/have been let go by that point?
r* says:

28 Jul28 July 14:36

Wasnt this the union who were not getting involved while the airline wasnt flying, now cos there are some flights resuming, he starts opening his mouth and threatens strikes?
Michael C says:

28 Jul28 July 14:37

Yikes, the level of Keele Uni intern drafters has certainly gone down – with mild xenophobia thrown in!
- Josh says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 15:32
  
  I know right? Unites coffers can only afford the barrel scraping PR interns now it seems….
Dave Winchester says:

28 Jul28 July 14:41

Why is their a lowercase c in his name – it’s doesn’t make sense when all the rest is in caps
Baggageinhall says:

28 Jul28 July 14:50

Quote: I am in receipt of your email dated 26 July and I am both staggered and offended by your arrogance.

Len, you can either be staggered and offended by alleged arrogance and then adopt a mature tone, or you can leave that line out and adopt the arrogant tone that you did, but not both. It makes you look silly.
neil says:

28 Jul28 July 18:20

Dont see the issue, ok its not fancy words, its straight talking, calling Cruz out as an idiot and a puppet and underlining the main issues that are causing immense stress to airline staff.
- Qwertyknowsbest says:
  
  28 Jul28 July 22:23
  
  +1
  - Mike says:
    
    29 Jul29 July 07:10
    
    +1
    - cinereus says:
      
      29 Jul29 July 07:37
      
      +1
      - Briandt says:
        
        29 Jul29 July 08:01
        
        -1
- MKB says:
  
  29 Jul29 July 12:32
  
  +1