victory at heathrow
WORKERS, SEPTEMBER 2003 ISSUE
Heathrow Airport check-in staff, mostly women, won a significant victory in August when they walked out in protest at the imposition of a swipe-card clocking on system as part of a 3% pay deal. Given the lack of consultation about the cards, the workers suspected that they would be used to implement changes to work patterns in the name of efficiency contained in management's so-called "integrated Airport Resource Management". Computer-generated changes to shift patterns could be brought in with 24 hours notice rather than seven days. Flexibility on days off, arranged by mutual agreement and vital to workers with families, was at risk.
BA management have been taught a timely and, for them, costly lesson. The action, described as "wildcat", cost BA an estimated £50 million. But victory could hardly been achieved had the workers continued to work with the cards during a lengthy ballot procedure. The fact that they wanted to strike was shown clearly when they all went out together and remained solid. They balloted with their feet, and won "everything we set out to achieve", according to Amicus spokesman Paul Talbot. The company removed the imposition of the swipe cards and agreed the pay deal with no strings attached. Efficiency measures are to be considered by a joint working party.