United_Digital1_8:Activist issue 7 12/06/2009 13:24 Page 18
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united digital civil aviation
You may experience some
turbulence
A strong Unite membership is key to job
security at Virgin Atlantic
Unite reps at Virgin Atlantic (VA) cabin Virgin Atlantic, BMI and German giant hopes it will also have a positive effect on the
crew are standing strong in these turbulent Lufthansa are also in discussion, with Qantas industry, ensuring airlines continue to develop
times, doing their utmost to ensure a bright and BA recently aborting their negotiations. more environmentally efficient aircraft, as new
future for members. Gaynor believes that morale amongst union technology and design revolutionise the
members is positive and with membership at industry and create more jobs.
Despite the bleak economic climate Unite an all-time-high of 94 per cent she is confident
has more than 75,000 members within the Unite members are in a very strong position. Heathrow’s third airport is another important
industry with 3,700 members in VA’s cabin factor in keeping Unite members’ jobs. “A third
crew section. “We have a strong recruitment campaign and runway at Heathrow will have a positive
the company allows us to carry this out,” says influence for both job security and passenger
Unite is currently involved in a 90-day Gaynor, who is also chair of the VA Unite experience, because it will prevent
consultation period with VA in an effort to committee. “Our flying programme has overcrowding,” adds Gaynor.
mitigate compulsory redundancies and virtually remained unchanged apart from a few
drive new policies across all sections of the flights merging for various standard operating Unite national officer Brian Boyd believes
company. reasons.” Unite members have a major role to play in
the future of civil aviation, in cabin services,
Gaynor Worrell, Unite senior rep at VA Information packs are being sent to members aircraft maintenance and ground services.
has been with the company for 23 years and an online intranet form has been provided
and is confident that because of Unite’s to assist members in reviewing the policies. “The economic climate means established
strength, compulsory redundancies will be Voluntary redundancy pay has been increased airlines are striving for more efficient
avoided. and policies for both full and part-time operations and this can have a negative effect
“We are making every effort to ensure employees are being re-written. on Unite members,” he says.
colleagues’ continuity of employment and I
expect that every person who wants to “Members are looking to the union because “Our members will be responsible for building
continue in cabin crew will be given the we are so heavily involved in discussions, and and maintaining old and existing airports so we
opportunity,” she told United Digital. many of the reps involved were those who must understand the necessity for change and
dealt with the redundancies after 9/11 when have the courage to take the difficult decisions
In 2008 a record number of airlines went cabin crew was newly recognised within the that will confront us as the industry moves
into administration with the consolidation company.” forward.”
of operators such as Thomas Cook with My
Travel, First Choice with Thomsonfly, and Gaynor says the current environmental debate • Further information can be found at
Easyjet with GB Airlines. is important for the aviation industry. She www.unitevaa.com
Just not taking it – Gaynor Worrell and Virgin Atlantic members are standing strong
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