Welsh Labour politicians pressure BA’s corporate clients over job losses

Labour politicians in Wales have called on British Airways’ corporate customers to put pressure on the airline as it seeks to ‘fire and rehire’ employees.

The Unite union has claimed the company wants to sack staff and then re-employ them on reduced pay and worse conditions.

Around 400 jobs across south Wales are under threat – at its interiors plant at Hawtin Park, Blackwood, as well Cardiff Airport and its site in Llantrisant.

The letter, signed by Welsh Labour Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd is being sent to companies including Deloitte, KPMG and Siemens, calling on them to use their influence with BA.

The letter reads: “BA appear to be using the current health crisis and the temporary problems within the aviation industry, as justification for the threat of mass ‘fire and rehire’ of the majority of its staff, including thousands of BA workers here in Wales.”

The move has been welcomed by the trade union Unite, which represents a large section of the BA workforce.

Rhianon Passmore, Member of the Senedd for Islwyn where BA’s Blackwood site is threatened with closure, said:  “High valued, high-skilled jobs should not be removed from the Welsh Valleys. Once they are gone they rarely return to our hard-pressed communities.

“This is in complete contrast to our Welsh Government’s industrial strategy. BA have received significant support and public money from Welsh taxpayers, and are now reneging on their duty to support Welsh employees, my community of Blackwood and many others across Wales including Llantrisant. BA must reverse their decision.”

The global coronavirus pandemic, and the restrictions imposed to combat it, has seen a huge drop in air travel which has crippled the sector.

The proposed job cuts by BA in south Wales form part of a plan to axe 12,000 staff.

In a statement issued to Caerphilly Observer, BA said the company was currently in consultation with staff and no decisions have been taken.

It said: “We are acting now to protect as many jobs possible. The airline industry is facing the deepest structural change in its history, as well as facing a severely weakened global economy.

“We call on Unite and GMB to consult with us on our proposals as our pilot union, BALPA, is doing. Working together we can protect more jobs as we prepare for a new future.”