NEWS from BALPA

British Airline Pilots’ Association
19th March 2008

COURT GRANTS PILOTS REQUEST FOR A SPEEDY TRIAL

The British Airline Pilots' Association yesterday successfully applied for a speedy High Court trial on the legitimacy of the proposed strike action by pilots in British Airways who are opposing the airline's plan to outsource their jobs.

Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of BALPA said:

'As the public is now aware, our dispute with BA centres on its plan to start a new service, called OpenSkies, flying passengers from European mainland capitals to the USA. The airline plans to use BA planes, BA support staff and BA managers but refuses to let the flights b e flown by BA pilots.

When we received a huge 86% vote for strike action in an outstanding 90% poll British Airways management said that if we announced a strike date they would go to the High Court to seek an injunction preventing the strike and would seek unlimited damages.

''We faced a difficult situation. If we announced a strike date we risked an injunction and a multi million claim for damages which would bankrupt the union. If we delayed the strike we would run out of time.

'BA bases its case on a piece of European legislation, Article 43 of the Treaty of Rome, which is about the rights of companies based in one EU state to set up subsidiaries in another EU state. Although we believe BA's claim is misconceived, the point it makes is a novel one and that is why BALPA has asked the Court to consider the issue.

'BALPA took the initiative of going to the High Court to ask that the Court determine whether Article 43 has any relevance to our industrial dispute. If the Court says it does not then unless BA addresses our underlying concerns BALPA will once again consider taking strike action.'

BALPA's campaign continues in the meantime with over 1,000 pilots and their families marching on the BA Waterside headquarters in protest on Saturday.

For further information contact Keith Bill on 07968 528 527 or 020 8656 0860