Les4GS Message on Aviation

Civil Aviation Transport

Dear Colleagues

With over 70,000 members in Civil Air Transport, I know how strategically important the Sector is to Unite. Being the largest trade union within Civil Aviation, means that we are at the forefront of all of the major issues affecting the industry. I want to make sure that this union provides the strong leadership and guidance needed by our members, to meet the challenges that lie ahead. I have strong view on how we do this, and I want to share them with you.

1. I want to support our skilled Engineering members faced with constant change at their workplaces, by giving them the opportunity to meet with other engineers from across the Sector. This would be in order to exchange views and establish a progressive forum that is able to influence employers’ thinking politically and industrially, on new ways of working.

2. I want to make sure that the fantastic work of our Reps and Officers, undertaken in organising Cabin Crew over many years, continues to develop in a positive way. We have established Cabin Crew recognition agreements across the vast majority of UK Airlines, improving terms and conditions throughout - but that is not enough. My guarantee is that this union will confront those equality and diversity issues that hinder real progress in employment for many of our Cabin Crew members and stand against any employer who wishes to erode those hard fought gains.

3. I want to ensure that we provide the very best assistance to our Airport infrastructure and Ground handling members, who are under constant threat of outsourcing and increasing demands from management and passengers alike. In addition to this, new technology should play a positive role within civil aviation. It should not assist employers in driving down costs at our members’ expense.

Our members have worked with aviation employers throughout these difficult economic times. They have encountered pay freezes, redundancies, pay deferrals, efficiency savings and wholesale business restructuring. I now want to see aviation employers rewarding our members for the contribution they continually make to the success of this industry. That reward should be job security and increased earnings. I am certain that working with our civil aviation Reps and Activists to provide them with the right resources and leadership, we can achieve this.

Yours fraternally

Les Bayliss