UNITE: BA Gatwick passengers facing food and water shortages as drivers vote for industrial action
Monday, 4 March 2019 09:33
HGV drivers employed by Alpha Flight, the sole supplier of inflight
food for British Airways at Gatwick Airport, have voted for
industrial action in a dispute over broken pay promises. The
55 drivers, who are members of Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest
union, will initially undertake an overtime ban from 03:00 on
Monday 18 March until 11:59 on Friday 22 March. This will then be
followed by strike action from 03:00 on Wednesday 27 March
until 11:59 on Thursday 28 March....Request free trial
HGV drivers employed by Alpha Flight, the sole supplier of
inflight food for British Airways at Gatwick Airport, have voted
for industrial action in a dispute over broken pay
promises.
The 55 drivers, who are members of Unite, the UK and
Ireland’s largest union, will initially undertake an overtime ban
from 03:00 on Monday 18 March until 11:59 on Friday 22
March. This will then be followed by strike action
from 03:00 on Wednesday 27 March until 11:59 on
Thursday 28 March.
The drivers voted 98 per cent in favour of industrial
action, on a turnout of 90 per cent, after Alpha Flight UK reneged
on an agreement with Unite to introduce a market rate alignment pay
allowance for the HGV drivers. The drivers are currently being paid
well below the rates available for HGV drivers in the local
area.
Once industrial action begins, the ability for Alpha
Flight UK to be able to transport food from its on-site warehouse,
to the planes will be severely diminished. The very tight security
airside at Gatwick precludes alternative
solutions.
Unite regional officer Jamie Major
said: “The industrial action ballot clearly
demonstrates that our members are no longer prepared to accept low
pay.
“This dispute is a direct result of Alpha
Flight reneging on its promise to resolve the totally unfair
situation of drivers being paid below the market
rate.
“British Airways passengers who find that
their flights are lacking food and water have to understand that
their comfort has been compromised directly by the penny pinching
of Alpha Flight.
“Even at this late stage Alpha Flight can
still ensure that industrial action is avoided by coming forward
with a reasonable pay offer, which meets the expectations of our
members.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
BA Gatwick
passengers face food and water shortages after drivers begin
balloting for industrial actions
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