CityJet Strike Ballot
Tuesday 15th February
2011
GROUND STAFF AT
LONDON CITY
AIRPORT GIVEN AUTHORITY FOR A STRIKE
BALLOT IN DISPUTE OVER TREATMENT AND
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
GMB
CEC call for movement from the company
at ACAS talks on Monday
21st February to avoid disruption to flights to and from
London City Airport in March as it gives go ahead to officials for
industrial action ballot
The GMB Central Executive Council
(CEC) today gave permission for an official strike ballot for
ground staff at London City Airport. The staff are employed by an
agency Aviation Resources and provide checking-in and dispatch
services for the airlines CityJet, Air France and KLM flights.
The dispute is about pay, treatment
and terms & conditions of employment. The staffs in question
have not had a pay rise since 2008.One of the airlines CityJet has
refused to sanction a pay rise even though the retail price index
has increased by 9.2% since January 2008. The employer Aviation
Resources is wholly reliant on each airline for the pay and
conditions of employment of the staff they supply. Talks are
scheduled at ACAS on Monday 21st February 2011 and if
not progress is made at those talks then the strike ballot will go
ahead.
CityJet management is also accused of
bullying tactics. A typical example is where CityJet told a new
mother on her first day back to work following the birth of her
baby boy that her 'grooming needed attention' as she had 'put on
weight'. The airline is insisting she remove her nose stud, which
is integral to her religious beliefs. She is now off work having
been sent home whilst the CityJet Manager who gave the orders
remains at work.
In addition, CityJet has also demanded
changes in terms and conditions of employment. CityJet has insisted
that the part-time mothers loose their flexible rosters that they
have had over past years and go on to general rosters. These will
impact badly on their childcare arrangements and ability to work at
the airport.
GMB members have already voted by 97%
for industrial action in a consultative ballot of all the members
working on the CityJet contract at London City Airport. GMB has
offered to go to mediation at ACAS and is awaiting a response from
the members' employer Aviation Resources.
Stephanie Attwood, GMB Organiser
said: "The GMB CEChas how
given authority for an official strike ballot of GMB members at
London City Airport and the ballot will go ahead unless progress
takes place at the ACAStalks
scheduled for next Monday. If GMB members vote in favour of strike
action, this will have an impact on all CityJet, Air France
and KLMflights arriving and
departing from London City Airport in March.
The GMB
CECrecognised that a pay freeze against
the background of over 9.2% inflation is not sustainable. Neither
is CityJet's behaviour which is from another era, running roughshod
over people's rights and dignity with no regard to race, religious
or family commitments. It is only a matter of time before the
balloon goes up.
The GMB
CECwas told that CityJet is the problem.
CityJet itself has refused to negotiate with GMB and are
compounding this by refusing to allow Aviation Resources to have
meaningful discussions with GMB."
Ends
Contact: Stephanie
Attwood, GMB Organiser on 07793 211525 of GMB Press Office: Rose
Conroy on 07974 251823 or Steve Pryle on 07921 289880.
Noted to Editors:
CityJet, Air France and KLM are all part of the same group.