British Airways ask staff for cabin crew training

In a move that is sure to upset the unions and current cabin crew, British Airways has sent out a request to its non-flying staff, asking if they would like to undergo a crash course in being a member of cabin crew. The move is thought to have been started because of the upcoming ballot that is taking place this week on whether the current crew should take industrial action and strike. The union has argued that this could put passenger’s safety at risk, but the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority are happy with the plan. BA has said they have asked their entire staff if they would like to retrain to help alleviate the possible disruption a strike would have on the airline.

The vote, taking place this week, comes after their previous strike over the busy Christmas period was the subject of a High Court injunction following BA’s statement that the vote was illegal due to some voters having already agreeing to leave the company. All the industrial action that is being threatened is over the airline cutting back on cabin crew due to a very bad year financially. There has already been a host of voluntary redundancies, but the airline are asking for more and reducing the number of crew on each aircraft. BA has also threatened that that staffs that go on strike will lose their flight concessions for good. A move that is sure to have some influence on the voting this week.