BA cabin crew to parliament amid 'climate of fear'
Tuesday, 8 June 2010 12:00 AM
By Rebecca Burns
British Airways cabin crew are visiting parliament on the 21st day of their strike action to discuss the "climate of fear at the airline".
In the last of three five day strikes, the crew will brief MPs about the reasons for their ongoing strike action.
Union Unite claims the strikes have prompted the suspension of 60 members and the sacking of eight.
The group are appearing in parliament in red gags to symbolise their charge that colleagues have been penalised for speaking out against BA management.
Unite said: "With trust in management at an all-time low, BA's insistence that those who took strike action must be punished with the loss of their staff travel is preventing any progress on a deal".
BA denied Unite's claims that trust in the management was at an "all time low" and said that it had followed its disciplinary code in response to the strikes.
Conciliation service Acas is conducting negotiations and expects peace talks to resume shortly.
Unite has threatened to ballot members for further strike action if the dispute is not resolved.
The strikes have so far cost BA almost £150 million.
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