Stunell slams Manchester cabin crew base closure in Parliament

7.22.40pm GMT Mon 13th Nov 2006

Local MP, Andrew Stunell has taken his campaign to stop the Manchester cabin crew base closures to Parliament.

Attacking British Airway's decision to close the base, Mr Stunell said:

"I am appalled by BA's decision to close down the cabin crew base in Manchester and to operate their Shuttle flights out of Heathrow instead.

"BA has let down over a hundred staff, forcing them either to relocate to Heathrow or face redundancy. Many have years of loyal service, and most have family commitments. BA's failure even to offer flexible or part time working arrangements for them if they do relocate makes it all too clear that they are just not interested in keeping them.

"The way in which British Airways has handled the move completely demolishes any claim it might have to be a family-friendly organisation as well as any credibility it might claim in terms of being committed to the North West."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Mr Stunell is backing the following Parliamentary Motion:

BRITISH AIRWAYS CLOSURES AT MANCHESTER

That this House deplores the announcement by British Airways (BA) that it proposes to close its cabin crew base in Manchester at the end of October, the lack of meaningful consultation there has been with employees and union representatives over this decision, and the refusal of BA management to extend the consultation period; notes that BA management has altered five times the business case figures which were designed to show that closure was based on productivity and costs bases, and now admits that the primary motivation is `simplification'; recognises that this decision will impact severely on a mainly female long-serving workforce, many with dependent relatives and children who will find it difficult to relocate to Heathrow as the company proposes; further deplores the fact that the company has not guaranteed them any future flexible or part-time employment options; and believes that the way in which British Airways has handled this review completely demolishes any claim it might have to be a family-friendly organisation as well as any credibility it might claim in terms of being committed to the North West or indeed any of the other regions and nations of the UK.