Early Day Motion on BA Dispute

Tabled by Jim Sheridan

Early Day Motion

EDM 165 BA DISPUTE

That this House notes with deep concern that there has been no settlement to the dispute between British Airways management and the airline's 12,000 cabin crew; further notes that this is now the longest-running strike in recent British aviation history; further notes that this can only be damaging to the reputation and standing of the UK's national carrier; is pleased to note that savings worth £60 million immediately to the company and more into the future have been agreed by both sides but fears that this progress will be lost because the withdrawal of cost free staff travel from crew who took industrial action remains an impediment to peace; further notes with concern the comments of Professor Martin Upchurch of Middlesex Univesity that disciplinary action at the airline is on an `unprecedented scale' and that experts, including those at Manchester Business School, are warning that passengers will abandon BA for competitor airlines; therefore urges both parties to move urgently to use both ACAS and the TUC to find a lasting peace and return trust in and stability to the airline's operations