Thomas Cook cabin crew back strike vote
25.10.11
Thomas Cook cabin crew have voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over redundancy terms for 498 planned job losses. In a consultative ballot, the members of Unite decided to take industrial action after a break-down talks with the company's management over its refusal to improve the redundancy terms.
The airline's management is offering two weeks per year redundancy pay, whilst Unite is demanding a minimum of three weeks per year, plus a lump sum payment of £5,000. The average cabin crew pay is £15,000-a-year.
The union represents 1,150 members of the airline's 1,800 cabin crew workforce. A total of 475 voted in favour of industrial action, with 53 against. Unite reps at Thomas Cook will meet in Manchester tomorrow to decide their future strategy.
Unite regional officer Mick Whitley said: ‘The overwhelming vote shows our members’ anger and should be a strong wake-up call for the management to return to the negotiating table with a fair offer. Until we have had the meeting tomorrow, Unite is not going to speculate about Christmas flights [a veiled threat?].'
'The ball is very much in the management’s court – they need to come up with a realistic offer for those facing redundancy. They are a very profitable firm. The group made £320 million this year and it is paying out a fortune in bonuses and dividends, as well as sponsoring the Olympics.’
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