08.08.10
BA cabin crew have been told by union activists to refuse to close plane window blinds after each flight - because of health and safety risks, the Telegraph reports. It is the latest example of restrictive practices at BA, revealed in a memo to staff who have taken 22 days of strike action since March in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.
The notice, posted on a forum for the 11,000 Unite cabin crew members, urged them to ‘politely refuse’ to close the blinds because the task had ‘not been agreed’ with the union. It follows the news that cabin crew have also refused to distribute hot towels to passengers in BA's premium economy seats because this is not a union-sanctioned activity.
Cabin crew were asked by the airline to lower the blinds after passengers disembark because sunlight can cause aircraft cabins to become hot while the planes are parked. However, a memo seen by the Telegraph says: ‘It has been brought to our attention that crew are being asked to close all window blinds at the end of each flight. This has not been agreed with BASSA [the BA branch of Unite] and no safe working practice has been trialled.'
‘The normal practice when anything new is introduced is that the Health, Safety and Welfare committee carry out a risk assessment to confirm everything is safe. Please note that no provision has been put in place for this extra duty and therefore you should not be carrying it out. If we do this it will become normal working practice and you will then be obliged to do it. What next – pick up all the litter? Please politely refuse if you are asked to do this at the end of your flight.’
A spokesman for Unite said it had ‘repudiated’ the memo because unofficial union action is illegal, and said the instruction should be ignored. He added: ‘This just shows the level of ill-feeling on both sides of this dispute.'
A BA spokesman told the newspaper: ‘Asking cabin crew to close blinds is a reasonable request with absolutely no health and safety risks. Closing blinds helps to keep the cabin cool while the aircraft is parked, reducing the need for air conditioning, saving emissions. It also provides a comfortable environment for passengers and cabin crew boarding the next flight, and helps to ensure a punctual departure.’
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