Unions and BA reach swipe card agreement
All parties agreed a deal at the TUC in London at around 17.30 this evening to end the uncertainty.
The flag carrier and three unions have been locked in a dispute over plans by the company to introduce a controversial ‘swipe card’ system for clocking in and out of work.
It is believed that the unions have agreed to the introduction of the swipe card in return for assurances about working conditions and that pay has been separated from its introduction.
In return, BA said it would not use the data to introduce flexitime shift patterns and would hold separate pay talks with workers.
2,500 staff will receive a 3 per cent pay rise backdated from 1 January.
Staff feared the new system could mean they would be sent home early during quiet times and forced to work longer hours during peak times.
The walkouts twelve days ago caused havoc for passengers. About 100,000 passengers suffered delays as 500 flights were cancelled.
The industrial action cost BA an estimated 50 million pounds and gave BA’s public image a severe bruising.
The general secretary of the TUC, Brendan Barber, told the awaiting press that: “The talks over the last couple of ways have been conducted in a very good spirit, I think the union side has been pleased to receive very important reassurances about how change is managed in the company.”
“I think the company has been satisfied that the unions are very much committed to building a successful organisation that is competing in a very difficult market.”
Mervyn Walker, BA’s Heathrow Director said: “The unions concerned have lifted all threats of strike action.”
“They have accepted in principle the introduction of the new swipe in system, the system will be fully operational from the first of September and it will be voluntary until then.”
“I think the spirit in which the discussion proceeded augurs well for the future.”
The news of a full settlement will be a relief to both passengers and the business community. It had been estimated that dispute was costing £10mn a day.
Mervin Walker, BA’s spokesman, said unions agreed to accept the new electronic clocking-in system, due to come into operation by September 1.
He said: ‘We’re very pleased indeed to have reached agreement with all three of our trade unions. The discussions have been conducted in a very constructive spirit, and we’re pleased by the outcome.’
General Secretary of TUC Brendan Barber said he was very pleased that an agreement had been reached between the Transport and General Workers’ Union, Amicus and GMB and British Airways.
Sir Bill Morris of the T&G said: ‘It is, I think, a good day for the employees, a good day for the company, but an even better day for the passengers. We’re delighted with the outcome of our negotiations.’
He added that the unions had met their key objectives: ‘Our objectives have been met. We have managed to de-couple pay. We have managed to secure limitations of use on the swipe cards, and we are committed now to negotiate with the company.’
Separately, BA is already expected to post dreadful quarterly results for the three months from April to June. BA is expected to disclose a pre-tax loss of around ?60m against a profit of ?65m year on year.
