Bullying of cabin crew

A 2010 survey by general union Unite of nearly 2,000 employees of British Airways (mostly cabin crew members) found shocking levels of bullying, which the union blamed on deliberate targeting of workers in order to persuade them to abandon industrial action by members aimed at maintaining terms and conditions. Nearly half of those surveyed reported bullying, with intimidation, unfair criticism and humiliation cited as the top three forms of bullying. Although 90% of those surveyed knew there were anti-bullying policies in place, more than six out of 10 said there was no point reporting it, as it would make no difference. Of those that did report the bullying, two thirds said that no action was taken. In 85% of cases, the bullying was by more than one person.

The dispute illustrates a major flaw in the statutory protection of union members engaged in lawful industrial action. It is automatically unfair to dismiss employees for carrying out lawful industrial action during the first 12 weeks of the action, but there is no similar prohibition against action short of dismissal such as, in this case, the withdrawal of flight benefits. For more information see LRD’s Law at work 2012.