Thomas Cook cabin crew back industrial action
25.10.11
Thomas Cook cabin crew have backed industrial action in a dispute over terms for 498 planned redundancies. In a consultative ballot, the members of the Unite union decided to take industrial action after a break-down talks with the management over its refusal to improve the redundancy terms.
The airline's management has offered two weeks per year redundancy pay, the statutory minimum, whilst Unite is demanding a minimum of three weeks per year, plus a lump sum payment of £5000. The average cabin crew pay is £15,000 per year.
The union represents 1150 of the airline's 1800 cabin crew workforce. A total of 475 voted in favour of industrial action, with 53 against. Unite reps at Thomas Cook will meet tomorrow to decide their future strategy.
Unite regional officer Mick Whitley said: ‘The overwhelming vote shows our members’ anger and should be a strong wake-up call for the management to return to the negotiating table with a fair offer. Unite is not going to speculate about Christmas flights [clearly a veiled threat].'
'The ball is in the management’s court. They need to come up with a realistic offer for those facing redundancy. They are a very profitable firm. The group made £320m this year and it is paying out a fortune in bonuses and dividends, as well as sponsoring the Olympics.’
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