British Airways staff who live in Moray fight new contracts
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Moray's MP has been asked to sign a pledge to put pressure on British Airways not not to 'fire and rehire' its staff.
The airline gave notice in April of its intention to effectively sack 42,000 of its workers, and only rehire 30,000 of them on revised contracts.
One BA employee from Moray states that the revised contract she's now being offered will leave her with 42per cent less take home pay.
The employee, who says she is not allowed to talk to the press under her terms and conditions, adds that some of her colleagues will be 55 per cent worse off.
The woman, who has worked for the airline for many years, said: "We all realise that the aviation industry is undergoing major problems.
"If BA had asked us to take a temporary pay cut, I think the vast majority staff would agree to it.
"That would be a temporary solution to what is a temporary problem.
"However BA have chosen instead to try to permanently decimate our contracts.
"I think it's immoral."
The pledge which Douglas Ross has been asked to back was drawn up by the Unite union and has been signed by 240 MPs so far.
It calls on the UK Government to strip the airline of its valuable landing slots at Heathrow unless it changes direction.
A Unite spokesperson said: "BA has been propped up by government money on the furlough scheme and their parent company (IAG) is trying to buy a new airline in Spain as we speak – so they obviously don't need to carry out project fire and re-hire."
Mr Ross said: "A number of campaigners attended my local office and we discussed their very real and legitimate concerns about the way BA is treating its staff.
"I have been keeping local constituents impacted by these plans up to date as the matter has been raised in the House of Commons and by the Transport Select Committee.
"Following the meeting last week in Forres I have contacted the Transport Secretary, Grant Schapps, to outline their concerns and seek the government’s view on the best way forward.
"Once I receive his response I am keen to meet with the group again to discuss any further action in light of the Secretary of State’s reply."
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