Stewards responsible for British Airways wildcat strike receive "hush mone

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/4235

Stewards responsible for British Airways wildcat strike receive "hush money"

By Jesse Russell

Two former shop stewards who were responsible for last years two day illegal strike against British Airways are to receive "hush money" from the Transport and General Workers' Union. According to the UK paper the Guardian the stewards will receive payments worth the equivalent of $1.1 million U.S. dollars. It has been alleged that the two stewards were following orders from the union in launching the wildcat strike. The men and the union could be sued by the airline if involvement were to be found. The two men have been told by lawyers that they could sue the union for ordering them to take the action, as well as breach of contract or psychiatric injury from being fired by the airline. Last week the men signed a confidentiality agreement with the union for which they will receive the million dollar payment. The action at British Airlines was the result of in-flight meal supplier Gate Gourmet threatening to fire 667 workers. The result was a compromise - the workers received redundancy payments. British Airlines said the strike cost the company the equivalent of more than $79 million in U.S. dollars.

AUDIO story here: http://www.laborradio.org/files/lo/winsheadlines.ram

[upi402]

1. In the USA stewards get fired and the union shrugs!

Wow!