Unite statement on BA claims about ACAS talks

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 12:00 AM

Tony Woodley, Unite joint general secretary said: "The assertion made by Willie Walsh yesterday - and uncritically repeated by too much of the media - that Unite failed to attend talks at ACAS last weekend to resolve the BA dispute is utterly false.

"Derek Simpson and I were in continual contact with ACAS over the weekend to explain our position on the dispute and at no time was it ever suggested that we should attend a meeting, nor that Mr Walsh was expecting one. ACAS have expressed their extreme annoyance at BA's misrepresentation of the position.

"The facts are that yesterday ACAS asked Unite if we would suspend our strikes if BA put their withdrawn offer back on the table. We said yes. And it asked BA if they would reinstate their offer if we called off the strikes. The company said no.

"It is therefore abundantly clear where responsibility for the continuation of this dispute lies."

- Ends -

For further information please contact Unite on:
Andrew Murray: 0777 3764455
Pauline Doyle: 0797 6832861
Ciaran Naidoo: 0776 8931315

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