Editing British Airways (section)

===Industrial relations===
Staff working for British Airways are represented by a number of trade unions, pilots are represented by [[British Air Line Pilots' Association]], cabin crew by [[British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association]] (a branch of [[Unite the Union]]), while other branches of Unite the Union and the [[GMB Union]] represent other employees. Bob Ayling's management faced strike action by cabin crew over a £1&nbsp;billion cost-cutting drive to return BA to profitability in 1997; this was the last time BA cabin crew would strike until 2009, although staff morale has reportedly been unstable since that incident.<ref name = CCSA>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/dec/15/british-airways-strike-background|work=The Guardian|title=BA strike: conflict that was always on airline's flight path|date=15 December 2009|access-date=4 July 2010|location=London|first=Dan|last=Milmo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908174204/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/dec/15/british-airways-strike-background|archive-date=8 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In an effort to increase interaction between management, employees, and the unions, various conferences and workshops have taken place, often with thousands in attendance.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100965480 |last1=Bamber |first1=G.&nbsp;J. |last2=Gittell |first2=J.&nbsp;H. |last3=Kochan |first3=T.&nbsp;A. |last4=von Nordenflytch |first4=A. |year=2009 |title=Up in the Air: How Airlines Can Improve Performance by Engaging their Employees |publisher=Cornell University Press, Ithaca |chapter=chapter 5 |access-date=18 November 2015 |archive-date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031004303/http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100965480 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2005, wildcat action was taken by union members over a decision by [[Gate Gourmet]] not to renew the contracts of 670 workers and replace them with agency staff; it is estimated that the strike cost British Airways £30&nbsp;million and caused disruption to 100,000 passengers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4162036.stm|title=Gate Gourmet probes union claims|work=BBC News|date=18 August 2005|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118195017/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4162036.stm|archive-date=18 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2006, BA became involved in a [[British Airways cross controversy|civil rights dispute]] when a Christian employee was forbidden to wear a necklace bearing the [[christian cross|cross]], a religious symbol.<ref>{{cite news|title=Woman to sue BA in necklace row|work=BBC News|date=15 October 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6052608.stm|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115182209/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6052608.stm|archive-date=15 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> BA's practice of forbidding such symbols has been publicly questioned by British politicians such as the former [[Home Secretary]] [[John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan|John Reid]] and the former [[Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)|Foreign Secretary]] [[Jack Straw]].<ref>{{cite news |first = Lucy |last = Cockcroft |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7028261/BA-wrong-to-ban-Christian-from-wearing-cross-because-it-plays-into-extremists-hands.html |title = BA 'wrong' to ban Christian from wearing cross because it 'plays into extremists' hands' |work = The Telegraph |date = 19 January 2010 |access-date = 2 April 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160415125723/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7028261/BA-wrong-to-ban-Christian-from-wearing-cross-because-it-plays-into-extremists-hands.html |archive-date = 15 April 2016 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Relations have been turbulent between BA and Unite. In 2007, cabin crew threatened strike action over salary changes to be imposed by BA management. The strike was called off at the last minute, British Airways losing £80&nbsp;million.<ref name = CCSA/> In December 2009, a ballot for strike action over Christmas received a high level of support,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8411214.stm|title=British Airways cabin crew vote for Christmas strike|work=BBC News|date=14 December 2009|access-date=24 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219065442/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8411214.stm|archive-date=19 December 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> action was blocked by a court injunction that deemed the ballot illegal. Negotiations failed to stop strike action in March, BA withdrew perks for strike participants.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8584720.stm|title=BA Strikers to forfeit cheap travel perks|work=BBC News|date=24 March 2010|access-date=24 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219052714/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8584720.stm|archive-date=19 December 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Allegations were made by ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper that BA had consulted outside firms methods to undermine the unions: the story was later withdrawn.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/apr/02/frank-burchill-apology|title=Apology to Frank Burchill|work=The Guardian|date=2 April 2010|access-date=6 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101054519/http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/apr/02/frank-burchill-apology|archive-date=1 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> A strike was announced for May 2010, British Airways again sought an injunction. Members of the [[Socialist Workers Party (UK)|Socialist Workers Party]] disrupted negotiations between BA management and Unite to prevent industrial action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=21303|title=Right to Work conference shows opposition to BA boss Willie Walsh|work=Socialist Worker|date=22 May 2010|access-date=6 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527232042/http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=21303|archive-date=27 May 2010}}</ref> Further disruption struck when [[Derek Simpson (trade unionist)|Derek Simpson]], a Unite co-leader, was discovered to have leaked details of confidential negotiations online via Twitter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10143076.stm|title=Unite union says BA strike to go ahead|work=BBC News|date=23 May 2010|access-date=16 July 2010|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107080959/https://www.bbc.com/news/10143076|url-status=live}}</ref> Industrial action re-emerged in 2017, this time by BA's Mixed Fleet flight attendants, whom were employed on much less favorable pay and terms and conditions compared to previous cabin staff who joined prior to 2010. A ballot for industrial action was distributed to Mixed Fleet crew in November 2016<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/11/british-airways-cabin-crew-vote-industrial-action-heathrow-wages | work=The Guardian | title=British Airways cabin crew to vote for possible industrial action | date=11 November 2016 | access-date=19 July 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803172239/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/11/british-airways-cabin-crew-vote-industrial-action-heathrow-wages | archive-date=3 August 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> and resulted in an overwhelming yes majority for industrial action.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38319538 |work=BBC News |title=British Airways crew vote for Heathrow strike |date=14 December 2016 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106212612/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38319538 |archive-date=6 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unite described Mixed Fleet crew as on "poverty pay", with many Mixed Fleet flight attendants sleeping in their cars in between shifts because they cannot afford the fuel to drive home, or operating while sick as they cannot afford to call in sick and lose their pay for the shift. Unite also blasted BA of removing staff travel concessions, bonus payments and other benefits to all cabin crew who undertook industrial action, as well as strike-breaking tactics such as wet-leasing aircraft from other airlines and offering financial incentives for cabin crew not to strike.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-strike-cabin-crew-1-july-why-dates-what-flights-delay-cancellations-when-times-a7797746.html |work=The Independent |title=British Airways strike: everything you need to know about 1 July cabin crew walkout |date=27 June 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715155747/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-strike-cabin-crew-1-july-why-dates-what-flights-delay-cancellations-when-times-a7797746.html |archive-date=15 July 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/british-airways-cabin-crew-stage-new-two-week-strike-1631060 |work=International Business Times |title=British Airways cabin crew to stage new two-week strike |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719180214/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/british-airways-cabin-crew-stage-new-two-week-strike-1631060 |archive-date=19 July 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first dates of strikes during Christmas 2016 were cancelled due to pay negotiations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/dec/22/british-airways-cabin-crews-suspend-strikes-over-christmas |work=The Guardian |title=British Airways cabin crews suspend strikes over Christmas |date=22 December 2016 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803180019/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/dec/22/british-airways-cabin-crews-suspend-strikes-over-christmas |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Industrial action by Mixed Fleet commenced in January 2017 after rejecting a pay offer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-airways-strike-cabin-crew-new-48-hour-walkout-pay-offer-a7507796.html |work=The Independent |title=British Airways strike: Cabin crew declare new 48-hour walkout after rejecting pay offer |date=3 January 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803173420/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-airways-strike-cabin-crew-new-48-hour-walkout-pay-offer-a7507796.html |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Strike action continued throughout 2017 in numerous discontinuous periods, resulting in one of the longest running disputes in aviation history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/ba-cabin-crew-strike-extended-to-august-bank-holiday-10972081|work=Sky News|title=BA cabin crew strike extended to August bank holiday|date=3 August 2017|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803172449/http://news.sky.com/story/ba-cabin-crew-strike-extended-to-august-bank-holiday-10972081|archive-date=3 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://stv.tv/news/uk/1393883-ba-crew-set-to-strike-for-further-two-weeks-in-august/ |work=STV News |title=British Airways crew to strike for further two weeks |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803171500/https://stv.tv/news/uk/1393883-ba-crew-set-to-strike-for-further-two-weeks-in-august/ |archive-date=3 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/cabin-crew-at-british-airways-to-stage-14day-strike-in-pay-dispute-35947956.html |work=Belfast Telegraph |title=Cabin crew at British Airways to stage 14-day strike in pay dispute |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719174838/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/cabin-crew-at-british-airways-to-stage-14day-strike-in-pay-dispute-35947956.html |archive-date=19 July 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/news/2017-07-19/ba-crew-set-to-strike-for-further-two-weeks-in-august/ |work=ITV News |title=BA crew set to strike for further two weeks in August |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719171759/http://www.itv.com/news/2017-07-19/ba-crew-set-to-strike-for-further-two-weeks-in-august/ |archive-date=19 July 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 31 October 2017, after 85 days of discontinuous industrial action, Mixed Fleet accepted a new pay deal from BA which ended the dispute.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/british-airways-cabin-crew-land-new-pay-deal-to-end-strikes-11107131|work=Sky News|title=British Airways cabin crew land new pay deal to end strikes|date=31 October 2017|access-date=4 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101005856/http://news.sky.com/story/british-airways-cabin-crew-land-new-pay-deal-to-end-strikes-11107131|archive-date=1 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>